SOLAR PANEL

Tars Tarkas....thanks, that was very helpful. Are you a NC Tarheel? I was born in Asheville...spent a summer in the Smokies a couple of years ago. Had a Jayco Kiwi then. Sold it and have a new R-pod 171 now and can't wait to get back to those cool mountains. I will take your advice and see how I like what I have already before over extending myself. But if I decide to go solar, the camper is solar ready, and I will probably get a 100W Renogy Solar Suitcase (although I googled cheaper brands). By the way, I grew up in Hickory, lived in Flat Rock for 30 years, and never been to the Outer Banks..I'm going to treat myself one of these days. I'm a retired Marine Corps captain with nothing but time on my hands.

Since you seemed to be talking about watching television on battery power I'm pretty sure Leo was asking if your television was 12v.  They used to exist back in the 30s maybe, but are there anything other than 12v trucks/automobiles anymore?

I got a 100W Renogy Solar Suitcase and am very pleased with it so far.  I've only used it for one week on the Outer Banks though.  That's a much different environment than Fall or Winter in the Smoky Mountains, where solar will be pretty much useless.  So think about where you will use yours if you get one.  There are cheaper ways out if you're up on Ohm's Law and a little handy, but the Renogy suitcase is pretty much plug and play.

As for whether to go for 2 x 6v batteries or stick with what you have, being cheap, I'd stick with what you have at least until the first sign of it failing or not keeping up with your needs.  What are you going to do with it otherwise?  With with a boost from solar it will let you camp for days on it's own.  I have 1 12v battery.  I also have a generator though.  I stay at Walmarts fairly often and would never hook up solar or a generator for that unless it's too hot to sleep without air con.  Solar does nothing for you there.

Unless you're planning on days away from shore power you don't need to make a snap decision about this, and even then, if it comes to it, you can charge your pod battery with jumper cables from your TV (tow vehicle).  Wait until you're comfortable with your understanding of the options and you have a better feeling for what you need for your kind of camping.  Some people (almost) always stay at commercial campgrounds with water, electricity, sewer, cable, swimming pools, miniature golf, and all sorts of other stuff and wouldn't have it any other way.  If that's you, solar panels will just waste space and money.

TT

also, if I go with 2 golfcart batteries, which ones, and capacity??

When you say 12 volt tv are you talking about television??