Hi,
It is generally cheaper to go to an RV park than to run the generator. If you factor in the cost of campgrounds Solar becomes a no brainer.
If you are part time, then a modest solar system will extend the life time of the battery bank, and each trip will start with a 100% state of charge.
I hope to be autonomous on solar power next summer. I can do so for under $2000.00 for parts.
rocmoc wrote:
Installing solar is a lifestyle choice as it is always cheaper to run your gen if you already have one (I did investment cost studies in my working days). If you have to purchase a gen the economics are closer but still cheaper to purchase a gen and run. After traveling around Mexico a few times the only wildlife you will find 99% of the time is noisy chickens & dogs and personally my gen is quieter. I do agree with carrying a battery charger with you and mine has come in handy a couple of times. As a secondary note if you are a full-timer then the solar is more practical but at best a push. What do you do if you don't have sun for a few days, run the gen! There goes the economics again. I would love to be able to justify an installation on our RV but since most of the time I have a motocross bike & 4X4 with me the quiet is lost anyway. Best / least expensive at this time is run the gen in the daylight hours and use your batteries in the evening & night hours, IMHO!
Sooner or later you will use shore power so get a power protection device as was discussed here about a month ago.
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
