Almot wrote:
PNW_Steve wrote:
would I be better served to run my generator when I am without shore power? Solar system, batteries & inverter would cost me close to $2000. I can buy a lot of generator fuel & maintenance for $2000.
I suggest you discount the above number by the cost of batteries, because you still need them for boondocking with a generator. If you use, say, gallon a day, this is $120 a month. In one year you will spend - on gas alone - what you were going to spend on solar. Besides, generators make bad neighbors.
PNW_Steve wrote:
I like the idea of the solar setup but it is costly
See the above line.
PNW_Steve wrote:
"The more parts in the system, the more there is to break"
There are very few parts to break, in solar.
PNW_Steve wrote:
Mexico travelers: What do you think??
I think, that for area where I'm usually in - Baja - there is no excuse not to have a solar.
I also think that 300-400w is way too small for somebody who is living in trailer full-time, and wants to significantly reduce generator time. Don Pianotuna suggested 800W - if you can fit that much on the roof, - go for it. In winter it will barely collect enough to keep your fridge running.
120V fridge needs to be very small and very efficient (usually means - something better than cheap boxes from Home Depot), because this is your major item in energy consumption.
Also, you won't be able NOT to run a generator a few weeks or few months summer, because of A/C.
PNW_Steve wrote:
is it worth the time and $$ to save generator run time?
It depends - for who. If you drycamp a lot, and the goal is not to run a generator on most days (not running it at all, in winter, is realistic), - then it's worth it because there is no other way around it. If you drycamp a few days in a month, - maybe it's not worth it. To me having to listen to generator several hours a day - and when I KNOW that could've avoided it - is a wasted day. Other people may have other preferences.
When I first started looking at solar I expected that I would boondock extensively as I have in the past in the US.
Unfortunately it has been made quite clear to me by folks who have traveled extensively in Mexico recently that boondocking in Mexico is not a good idea except in limited circumstances.
That means I will be spending the majority of my time in parks with hookups.
I already have house batteries but not of adequate capacity to support the solar "off grid" solution I was looking at.
If I elect not to install the solar I will be running my generator in the event of power failure or when traveling between parks.
If I travel for 8 hours every third day and do not run my roof air I should spend $60 a month on fuel. Lets add an oil change & spark plug $12.00.
All said, I don't see the installation of solar to be "cost effective" for me. BUT, I do see it adding flexibility and comfort.
That is the core point in my decision making process.
