Solar or Genny

JiminDenver wrote:
being here in Colorado, you need to know that at higher elevations the generators lose power. On a hot day at 10,000 ft a generator can lose as much as 40%, so a 2000w may not run your microwave.

Well aware of that, been looking at 3100w generators, I like the Champion 3000W it is lighter weight too and cheaper than the Honda 3000

being here in Colorado, you need to know that at higher elevations the generators lose power. On a hot day at 10,000 ft a generator can lose as much as 40%, so a 2000w may not run your microwave.

We went with the generator and beefed up battery system first to be able to run all we want to run in the one day/night run off the batteries. It was planned out to reduce my sized battery bank to its 50% charge state by 8AM the next morning.

Then we run the 2KW Generator to power up the trailer on-board converter/charger setup to recharge the batteries back up to their 90% charge state so we can do this all over again the next day/night off the batteries. This takes right at three hours of generator run time.

Adding solar to the mix would be icing on the cake for us. It would take a rather large solar setup to run all the things we are running now off the batteries with Inverter for the 120VAC items we want to have running.

The solar panels for us would be available to reduce the amount of generator run time at 8Am each morning. The initial charge when the batteries are first hit with the 14.4VDC Boost charge is over 53AMPS of DC Current which requires the generator to get past this step in the re-charge. After the DC CURRENT starts dropping back then the 400-450WATTS of solar power producing around 20AMPS of DC CURRENT can easily re-charge the batteries back to their 90% charge state before you lose the high sun.

If you are not planning on a large DC CURRENT drain than a small solar panel system can do alot for you... Keep in mind a typical 120WATT Solar panel will only produce around 5-6 AMPS DC Current when in high sun...

This is some of the planning you will need to do based on what you want to be running on your off-the grid power trips...

Just things to think about in planning your setup
Roy Ken

2oldman wrote:

Colo Native wrote:
I only run the microwave for a few minutes and maybe a toaster on this trips or charge a device here and there. I am having a hard time trying to figure a 2000w generator or about 300w of solar.

How are you running a mw or toaster now?

As said, your mw and toaster will need batteries and a big inverter. Only you can make the choice between the convenience and quiet of solar vs. dragging a generator in and out every time you want power. I can tell you from years of doing this there's no way I'm firing up a generator in a rest area.

Yes, generators have it all over solar for power capacity, but nothing beats the convenience of permanently mounted solar.

I had a Class A so this was never an issue but have a new FW and no generator so I am learning.

Colo Native wrote:
I only run the microwave for a few minutes and maybe a toaster on this trips or charge a device here and there. I am having a hard time trying to figure a 2000w generator or about 300w of solar.

How are you running a mw or toaster now?

As said, your mw and toaster will need batteries and a big inverter. Only you can make the choice between the convenience and quiet of solar vs. dragging a generator in and out every time you want power. I can tell you from years of doing this there's no way I'm firing up a generator in a rest area.

Yes, generators have it all over solar for power capacity, but nothing beats the convenience of permanently mounted solar.

Ok, seems to be Generator is best way not to open a can of worms but I have looked at several Honda 2000i companion( Like that it has a 30 amp plug) Champion 2000i(cheaper)so what is good I don't plan on using A/C and I want to be able to pick it up and the 3000's are to heavy. And maybe get 100w solar for keeping the batteries charged.

Colo Native wrote:
This is my dilemma I don't boondock but I do road trips that are days travel time, I only run the microwave for a few minutes and maybe a toaster on this trips or charge a device here and there. I am having a hard time trying to figure a 2000w generator or about 300w of solar. Thanks for your help again.

If you don't boondock, why do you need boondocking power? Just pickup another battery and/or better converter for your existing battery and charge it from your tow, or when you plug in during your trips.

For me solar power just doesn't make sense.

Insolation is a very fickle mistress; weather, geography, season, all variables working against getting any energy from a solar panel. Compare that to a generator. Maybe it's dark, or raining, or I'm simply parked in the shade... not a problem for a generator, pull the cord and dinosaur juice is turned into copious amounts of electricity.

Some may say that fuel will limit the time I can spend boon docking. Well, I guess that is a possibility, only if you treat it with ignorance. In planning long periods of boon docking on my Alaskan adventure, I carried along fifteen gallons of fuel. Both for emergency use in my truck, and for the generator. I also carried fifteen extra gallons of water, in addition to the twenty inside the camper. I ran out of water before I ran out of fuel. Even in remote areas, I found both easy to obtain with a special small plastic card my bank gave me.

Some may say the sound of the generator detracts from the surroundings. This is purely subjective and I can offer little retort. Unless you back-packed in, or perhaps on a pack animal of some sort, the presence of the truck, trailer, motorhome, etc is already detracting from the surroundings. A few hours of generator run-time ever 2-3 days won't be that bad.

Consider this:

Watt for watt, solar panels weight a lot more than a generator and its fuel. Weight should always be considered by the RV'er. Just because said panels are on the roof out of sight does not mean their weight is diminished. Depending on latitude and season (insolation), you're carrying 100s of lbs of dead weight that has no practical application. Solar panels work best during peak sun. This is not my opinion, it is a scientific fact that has studied in great detail. A generator has no such limitation, the negative aspects of its weight can always be offset by its ability to produce energy any time of day, in almost any conditions.

just my fifty-cent opinion here. I too briefly contemplated solar for my RV but after analysis of my travel style, location and budget, I decided to go with a generator.

Solar is great but you have to have a back up means of charging when the sun doesn't play well. That could be as simple as a pair of jumper cables or a generator. We don't take ours on shorter trips but I wouldn't hit the road without it. Leaving the batteries discharged for too long or take them down too far waiting for the sun may damage them.

To run a microwave off of battery even for a few minutes requires at least two batteries if not four, plus a inverter big enough to run it. It all cost money but then again quiet inverter generators are not free either. I would think a Champion 2000i inverter generator would be the least expensive way to go.

I think you need to run the numbers for the solar to decide. Either option is viable but the solar option is more cost and complication than just buying 300watts of panels.
- A generator is a throw it in the truck and crank it up when you need power (admittedly, an occasional oil change and filling the fuel) and that about it. You get as much power as the generator can provide for as long as you have gas.
- With solar, the panels are just the start and if you want to take advantage of them on the move, you need a permanent mount. You also need a charge controller mounted and wired in. If you want to run a high draw item like a toaster, you need a fairly large inverter. To power a fairly large inverter you need a decent size battery bank. This all comes with cost and complications.

I suspect by the time you are done the generator will be cheaper and more versitle. The biggest downside to solar is if you ever want to run the air/con, the solar is a no go.

Another alternative since you say it is being used for road trips is build the solar system but skip the solar panels. 6-8hrs with the truck hooked up and charging should be enough to top up the batteries negating the need for solar panels. You will still need the inverter and larger battery bank.

I have a TT with 2 WalMart batteries; I used to have a 2000Watt genny
which ran for 3 hours each day to top up the batteries. Earlier this year I purchased a 160W solar panel (and controller) for $180.

This panel keeps the batteries topped up as long as there is daylight (it does charge even when overcast). I no longer take my genny with me and rely on the Solar panel. I have not tried it yet during the winter when there are daylight hours - we shall see.

Of course - I can not run the microwave/toaster as only 12V is "live" - but you may be able to get an inverter for those items.

Gerry