Fortunately HC Diehl wrote some good stuff on Solar power which is in the library for the Compuserve RV Forum. That has saved me a lot of typing. When we are in an RV, our power comes from a couple different sources. Shore power if you are plugged in. Without shore power most all your power comes from your batteries, or a genset if you have one. The batteries provide the power to run all your 12v items. If you need to run 120v appliances you must use an inverter of some type, or run the generator. The inverter takes 12v power from you batteries, and changes it to 120v, but you are drawing down on your batteries when using an inverter. For larger appliances a built in 1500-2500 watt inverter is usually needed. For smaller items a 200-500 watt inverter that you plug into a 12v outlet is usually sufficient.

When boondocking there are 3 items that will determine how long you can stay in one spot. They are electricity, water and propane. The latter two do not seem to cause as much concern as electricity, but I will cover them in my next two segments.

The question is, how to keep your batteries charged. There are basically 3 ways, Solar power, a genset/inverter with built in battery charger  or you can start your motor and charge the batteries using the alternator.  Now, is solar for you. To answer that question you have to do a little homework,, Solar Power of Scottsdale, AZ puts out an excellent book called "RVer's Guide to Solar and Inverters" and it costs about $12.00.

Before I go on, let me clarify one thing.  I often have people asking me if Solar Power will run their??? or how many panels do I need to run my Micro-wave.  Solar Power does not run anything.  Solar Power charges your batteries.  Depending on what appliances you "must" have you will have to determine what size inverter, how large a '"Battery Pack" and how many panels you need for your life style.  Most "Power Hogs" have a 4 Panel, 4 Battery system and a 1500-2500 watt inverter.

According to my owners manual for the Southwind, my hidden power requirements are about 6 amps per day. So my normal power requirements are:

Hidden 6.0 Amp hours/day
Lights 1.5 ah/day (1 lamp for 1 hour in the morning
          8.0 ah/day ( a double lamp 4 hours in eve)
Radio/CD 6.0 ah/day (l Amp/hour/6 hours)
Furnace 6.0 ah/day( figure it runs 1 hour. )
Pump 3.0 ah/day (draws 6 ah so figure 1/2 hour /day)
TV/DSS  12 ah/day (4ah/3 hours)
TOTAL 42.5 H.

I have two M75 panels and each panel is rated at 48 watts or 3 amps which in theory should give me 60 AHs/day back into my two batteries. In reality I figure 40-45 is optimal. There is also a PC 4 panel rated at 70(80) watts or 4.5 amps which would put back 90 (70) amps for a 2 panel setup.  How much does all this cost?  A two panel set-up with the regulator, wiring, roof racks etc. lists for $700 at Solar Power. A two panel PC-4 set up lists for $960. Enough has been said about batteries to allow you to make up your minds on that.

A couple questions. I have a 13 inch color 12v TV. About how many amps does it draw? I think it uses 4 amps but am not sure. If I use a small inverter for an RCA DDSs tuner, how many amps does that draw?

A comment on lights. Most of us have the standard 12v Incandescent light fixtures. The two most common replacement bulbs are #1141 which draws 1.4 amps and the 1156 which draws 2.1 amps. The 1156 is cheaper, but does not last as long as the 1141 and as noted draws more power.  We spend quite a bit of time sitting at our Dinette.  There were two single bulb lamps mounted under the cabinet and a 2 bulb lamp on the ceiling. Together, they put out a lot of light, but also draw over 5 AHs when they are all on.  We need light for reading, playing games, and when on a fishing trip I sit there and tie up my fishing rigs.  I took out the ceiling lamp and replaced it with a 26 watt Thin line dual Tube Florescent fixture.  That one lamp gives off more than enough light and only draws 2 AH's.