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Vicreo, I haven't tried the lens that Pathfinder mentions, but I do have a Tamron 24-70 f2.8 FF lens for Nikon and couldn't be happier with it. To your original question, my "walking around" kit for traveling light is a D3200 Nikon, an 18-300mm Nikon DX lens and a 12-24mm f4 Nikon DX lens...

Yes, surprising how much power some of our electronics can suck up if used a lot and mostly used/recharged at night.

Ahhh, real data...a powerful decision making tool! :) I'm assuming that where you state "214 amps" and "245 amps" you mean watt hours? Do you know why you had a 30% increase in power usage the 2nd night? From the sounds of it, unless you increase your power usage considerably or you get...

CSG, My takeaway from looking over the spec's of these units is that they're really not a good option for extended, everyday heavy usage...and by that I mean using more than 300-400WH of energy per day for much more than a weekend. Unless you have an appropriately sized solar source to not...

SoCalTom To pugslyyy's point, which I agree with...BTW... Here's a rough price comparison if you went the DIY route and equivalent performance using LiPo battery. You can find many threads here where people have taken these type DIY components and installed them in a container of some sort...

I just bought a 100AH Lithium for my truck camper, it was pricey, but in the long run, worth it compared to any of the traditional deep cycle options. You are probably aware of the main advantages, but I'll hit the key ones. 100AH LiPo=29lbs 50AH LiPo=18lbs 100AH AGM=65lbs 100AH LiPo...

No specific knowledge of GZ units you're mentioning, but unless there is some sort of current limiting circuitry ahead of a Lithium battery, it would likely draw way more current than could be provided by built-in circuits in a vehicle...such as a typical 12V accessory receptacle...blown fuses...

You're quite welcome. I did the same thing until I bought my second one...monitored the load first to see what I was typically using and then switched it over to the input to the battery. Keep in mind that if you move it over to the output of your controller, you won't show much power flow...

SoCal Tom, If you really want to know how much "energy" (Watt Hours) you're using and what your solar charging system is providing on a typical day, I suggest you invest in one or two of these devices...they're cheap and they work...

Joe, I can buy a lot of solar for $1,300+, given that I've got a perfectly good, though power hungry, reefer in the rig now. If I were starting from scratch, one of the Nova Kool units would be much better choice than the Norcold I have now. I looked at the NK units a couple years ago when I...

Since my panels are currently portable, I make sure they're clean when I set them out or put them up on the top of my camper. I have a module that I use to monitor voltage, current and watt hours going into my system from the solar feed. At a recent event in Birmingham where I was camped for...

Eclipse 2017 - near Arminto, WY No hordes, no problem, high ridge all to myself...except for a few Pronghorns. Eclipse shots with Nikon D500, 200-500mm zoom w/1.4 extender.. Was just about in the center of the path of totality through that area. Cheers!

I can't see that it would make any real difference, but I would put something between the bed and the base of the camper. In my situation, the sidewalls of my Silverado are taller than the standard seemed to be back in 2008 when my Lance 815 was made. I have to space the base up at least...

Pretty much the same rationale here...I have a small Honda 650W genny for situations where it might be rainy or the area unsuitable for solar. If I'm trying to get from point A to point B quickly and driving until almost dark, but want some amenities, I'll snag an RV spot somewhere and plug in...

Verkstad, your concern is noted...and I would hope that the OP is aware of these potential issues, as well. Those risks were considered, but where and when I am using solar components, 120VAC will not be present to be an issue. My MPPT controller is not permanently affixed to my rig and is...

I've done exactly that for my solar setup, wiring in a female AC plug to MC4 connectors at the panels and have a male AC plug dongle at the input to my MPPT controller. Works great and I can extend with additional extension cords, as needed. I run either 2 or 4 panels (100W, Renogy Eclipse...

Another data point... Hard to tell from your photo, but it looks like you might need to add a little bit of spacer under the camper to give some additional clearance above the side walls of the bed. Doing so would take some or all the weight off your tailgate. I always leave mine attached and...

Eclipse 2017 - Casper, WY From a recent 20 day, 6,000mi loop out West to photograph the eclipse. Found a high ridge with a 360 degree view, NW of Casper, WY that I had all to myself. A custom trailer is in the works for a Winter build, so made do with a rental unit for this trip. Spent a...

I can't speak to the specific controller in use here, but most manuals I've seen specifically state that you should never disconnect the controller from the battery(s) when the solar panel(s) are connected and producing power. Pat's controller may be fried as it seems from comments that it's...

As another data point in this thread...2013 Silverado 2500HD, 4x4, Duramax, ECSB, stock 20" wheels and tires, Lance 815, GVW about 10K lbs loaded. In a mix of interstate and back roads I typically see about 15.5-16.5mpg. On back roads, I'm usually running 50-60 and on limited access, 65-75...