You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know: The Reality of Our Solar System

Let’s start with a simple truth:

“You don’t know what you don’t know.”

I’m not sure who first said it, but truer words have never been spoken.

I’ve been using the same basic solar diagram throughout this Solar Series because it’s a clean and simple representation of a working system. But what that diagram doesn’t show is how to track and truly understand what is actually happening inside your own solar setup.

And that’s where this post begins — the ramblings of a boondocker who realized he was walking around blind.

Boondocking Blind

Early in our boondocking life, I learned that not knowing what’s happening in your electrical system is like walking around blind. And when you walk around blind, you’re going to get bruised.

Unlike the simple diagram I’ve shared before, our system includes several additional components that allow us to monitor everything in real time.

1️⃣ Battery Monitoring System (BMS)

Think of the BMS like your vehicle’s fuel gauge.

But instead of telling you miles to empty, it tells you hours to empty.

That single piece of information changes everything.

2️⃣ Cloud-Based Dashboard Monitor

Our inverter and batteries report to a dashboard that stores data in the cloud. That allows me to analyze performance long after the fact.

3️⃣ The Excel Spreadsheet (Yes… I’m That Guy)

I track everything.

For example:

On January 24, 2018, the day after purchasing our Zamp 200-watt folding portable panel at the Quartzsite Big Tent RV Show, we harvested 99 amp-hours.
On January 25th, we harvested 79.1 amp-hours.

With data like that, you can start evaluating real system performance — not guesses.

2025 Solar Numbers at a Glance

From my Excel tracking:

109,382 amp-hours harvested
1,312.6 kilowatts of solar
48 days with no electrical hookup
41.1 hours of 7,500-watt generator runtime

From our cloud-stored data (Oct–Dec):

489 kWh consumed
340 kWh from shore or generator power

And this is where the cracks start to show.

Where Our System Falls Apart

Because I built our system in stages, I don’t have a complete picture.

Here’s why:

Solar controllers: BlueSky
Inverter: Victron
Battery bank: 600Ah Battle Born lithium
Roof array: 1,540 watts total

The issue?

Our Victron inverter only monitors one leg of our 50-amp system.

Why Only One Leg?

Back in 2018, we started with a 2,000-watt Heart inverter/charger. I chose BlueSky solar controllers because they squeezed maximum harvest from each panel and allowed charging adjustments down to a tenth of a volt.

Shadowing? Not a problem — I separated panels across multiple controllers.

A year later, we upgraded to a Victron 3000/120 hybrid inverter and wired it into one full leg of our coach.

To power the second leg would have required a second inverter — which seemed ridiculous at the time.

Now?

Victron makes a unit that would power both legs.

But ours doesn’t.

What We Can’t Track

The unmonitored leg includes:

One air conditioner
Electric water heater
Original refrigerator circuit
Washer/dryer

The monitored leg includes:

Second air conditioner
Microwave
120V lighting
Almost all outlets

So we only see part of the picture.

The Reality Check

For people who thought we were serious boondockers…

We were kidding ourselves.

Winter: 50-amp hookups
Summer: 30-amp connections
Generator time: 40+ hours

Yes, we were supplementing with solar.
No, we were not living fully off-grid.

And because our inverter is hybrid, it automatically supplements shore power with batteries during high loads (microwave + toaster, for example).

In hybrid mode?

We were only harvesting around 18.6 kWh per month of solar.

That’s not off-grid living.

Exercising the Battery Bank

Last February, I made a decision:

We would start exercising our batteries.

Every night before bed, I switched the inverter to “Invert Only” mode.

That meant:

We ran on batteries all night.
Batteries discharged enough to allow full solar harvest the next day.
Around dinner, I switched back to “On” mode to top off.

The Results:

February: 7,140 amp-hours (85.7 kWh)
March: 131.2 kWh
April: 172.9 kWh
100+ kWh per month since

I thought we were ready to boondock for weeks.

I was wrong.

The Hard Truth

I’ve researched.
I’ve calculated.
I’ve read everything I can get my hands on.

And the only thing I know for sure?

I still don’t know enough.

Our Current Solar Array

Roof panels:

4 × 180-watt
2 × 210-watt
4 × 100-watt
Total: 1,540 watts (1.5 kW)

Controlled by:

3 BlueSky MPPT controllers
Charging a 600Ah Battle Born lithium bank

Six panels are tiltable.
Currently, only the two 210-watt panels are tilted.

Recent harvest?

300 amp-hours per day.

And here’s the uncomfortable truth:

We are power hogs.

We like creature comforts.

I don’t want to shut down the inverter overnight.
I don’t want to give up the bed warmer on cold nights.

Peak Solar Hours vs. Daylight Hours

Peak Solar Hours (PSH) are not the same as daylight hours.

On January 6, 2026 in Baja Mexico:

10.5 daylight hours
Just over 5 PSH

That means panels only produce at peak output for about half the day.

For comparison, in Woodstock, Ontario the same day:

Between 0.5 and 1.5 PSH

Location matters.

A lot.

Tilting Panels — Is It Worth It?

Yes.

Tilting panels can improve harvest by up to 45% in some conditions.

Peak power occurs when the sun hits the panel at a 90° angle — which is constantly changing throughout the day.

Crunching the Numbers

Yesterday’s harvest:

287 amp-hours
3,444 watt-hours (3.44 kWh)

Working backward:

3,444 ÷ 1,540 panel watts = 2.236
2.236 ÷ 3.44 PSH = 65% panel efficiency

I can crunch numbers all day long.

But the bottom line?

We need more panels.

Period.

What’s Next?

We have roof space for:

2 larger panels
Possibly 4–6 additional 100-watt panels

That would push us beyond 2,000 watts total array size.

It will require:

Additional solar controllers
More wiring
More expense

But if it means more boondocking freedom?

It’s worth it.

Stay tuned — this upgrade is coming.

On a side note, my original blog was 1900 words long with long rambling paragraphs but, with the help of my AI app it is clear concise and easier to read, if you made it to here how about giving me a like!

Day 3055

Arizona’s Desert Cathedral

Tucked away in the far southwestern corner of Arizona lies one of the most unique and least-visited national monuments in the United States: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Remote, rugged, and breathtakingly beautiful, this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve protects an extraordinary desert ecosystem found nowhere else in the country.

If you love wide-open spaces, dramatic sunsets, and true off-the-grid adventure, Organ Pipe deserves a spot on your travel list.

Where Is Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument?

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is located along the U.S.–Mexico border, about 140 miles southwest of Phoenix and roughly two hours west of Tucson. The monument borders Mexico’s El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve, creating an internationally significant protected desert region.

The nearest town is Ajo, Arizona, a small mining town that serves as the primary gateway to the monument.

Why Is It So Special?

The monument gets its name from the organ pipe cactus, a towering multi-stem cactus that resembles the pipes of a church organ. While common in Mexico, Organ Pipe is the only place in the United States where these cacti grow naturally.

Beyond the iconic cactus, the park protects:

Over 550 plant species
Nearly 300 bird species
Desert bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, coyotes, and javelina
One of the most biologically diverse deserts in North America

This is Sonoran Desert wilderness at its wildest.

A Living Sonoran Desert

Unlike the stereotypical barren desert, Organ Pipe is alive with color and texture—especially during spring bloom. Visitors will find:

Saguaro, organ pipe, barrel, and cholla cacti
Ocotillo bursting with red blooms
Creosote, palo verde, and mesquite trees

Spring (March–April) brings a stunning wildflower display if winter rains cooperate, while summer monsoons transform the landscape with dramatic skies and lightning shows.

Things to Do at Organ Pipe

🌵 Scenic Drives

Ajo Mountain Drive – A 21-mile scenic loop offering spectacular cactus forests and mountain views (high-clearance recommended).
Puerto Blanco Drive – A longer backcountry route that showcases remote desert landscapes and volcanic terrain.

🚶 Hiking

Popular trails include:

Desert View Trail – Short, accessible loop near the visitor center
Victoria Mine Trail – A longer hike leading to historic mining ruins
Bull Pasture Trail – Challenging hike with sweeping views

Always carry plenty of water—this is serious desert hiking.

🌌 Stargazing

With almost no light pollution, Organ Pipe offers exceptional night skies. On a clear night, the Milky Way stretches across the horizon in stunning clarity.

Camping & RV Information

Twin Peaks Campground is the main campground inside the monument:

Open year-round
Suitable for RVs and trailers (no hookups)
Generator-friendly during designated hours
Incredible desert sunsets right from your campsite

Backcountry camping is also available with permits for those seeking true solitude.

⚠️ Important note for RVers:
Summer temperatures regularly exceed 110°F (43°C). Spring, fall, and winter are the safest and most enjoyable seasons to visit.

Borderland History & Culture

Organ Pipe sits in a region shaped by thousands of years of human history. The Tohono O’odham Nation has lived in this desert for generations, relying on seasonal rains and native plants for survival.

Later influences include:

Spanish explorers
Mexican ranching traditions
Early American mining and border history

Today, the monument also plays a role in border conservation, balancing ecological protection with its unique geographic location.

Best Time to Visit

Best overall: November through April
Wildflowers: March–April (rain dependent)
Avoid if possible: June–September due to extreme heat

Winter brings mild days, cool nights, and ideal conditions for hiking and exploring.

Some Photos:

Final Thoughts

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is not a place you rush through. It’s a destination for those who appreciate silence, scale, and the raw beauty of the desert. Whether you’re exploring by RV, hiking remote trails, or simply watching the sun set behind cactus-studded hills, this monument leaves a lasting impression.

If you’re looking to experience the Sonoran Desert at its most authentic, Organ Pipe is a hidden gem worth discovering. We have not visited since December 2019, and are overdo for another visit.