Pop Truck Camper Power Options

[Joeprunc]

I've been doing a bit of research and narrowed down my results to:

1. Solar Panel 12v 85W to 100W (w/ one 100Ah battery)
2. Honda 2000 Generator (w/ one 100Ah battery)
3. 2 new Optima Batteries (I'd plan on staying at a RV park with electric hookups every few days)

I'm planning on taking a 2 week ski trip from Ca to Colorado this winter. I'll be driving a fair amount in the first part of the trip, so I feel like two batteries should be fine with the truck charging the batteries while on the road. The Solar would be great, but worried about the snow covering the panels and not charging. A generator is a sure thing, but large and the most expensive.

What do you feel would be the most affordable that should work. I've got a Northstar TC650 on a Chevy Duramax, I'm quite rugged and will have plenty of blankets for sleeping through the cold nights. I've converted all the lights to LED, and will really only be using the heater's blower, water pump, and lights as far as electricity.

 

[DiploStrat]

Sorry, but what is the question?

-- A 100w panel will give you about 5A of charge in good sun, call it 30Ah per day.

-- A Honda generator will give you its rated output but will not charge a battery without some form of charger.

-- Optima batteries are lead acid. The rule of thumb is that for longest life you should not discharge them more than 50%.

-- Your Chevrolet has a 145A alternator or larger. But it probably won't do a good job of charging your camper battery using the existing Northstar wiring.

You may find this a useful read: https://cookfb.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/plan-electrical-system.pdf

 

[wirenut]

I don't know how crazy your wheelin' gets but I'm guessing not that much with a TC on a fullsize truck. I really don't think the Optima's are worth the money versus other deep cycle batteries. You would probably get more AH for your dollar with other brands like Deka or Lifeline.
Have you priced larger solar panels? Typically the larger the panel the better the ratio of dollars / watts. You might find that a 120 watt panel doesn't cost much more than an 85.