Best generator

valhalla360 wrote:


Can you throw $10k at a solar system and get part time air/con, sure but a lot simpler and more reliable to just get a generator.

Define part time.

I could run my roof air for more than 3 hours in 2009. Cost of the system to do so was less than $2000. Cost for panels and charge controller was $6.64 per watt. Now panels are well under a dollar a watt (lowest price I ever saw was $0.26 per watt). My battery bank was 7 marine batteries @ $700.00. They lasted 12 years. The inverter was a Cobra 2500 watt MSW but rated to run motors.

So that same system would be much cheaper.

In the meantime battery technology has also improved dramatically.

I do have a generator but my costs for generators since 2000 total over $12,000.00. One died, 2nd one was nearly totally useless, 3rd one was stolen, 4th is now in a security cage.

The generator that lasted the longest was number one, a Kipor with a 10 year life span. I did have to have it serviced locally twice for very little money. It was also the 2nd cheapest.

I use the generator extremely sparingly.

valhalla360 wrote:

time2roll wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

time2roll wrote:
Solar panels... very quiet.

Very true...you can't even hear the air/con blower going because it's not.

Many do have this curious obsession with air conditioning.

Hey if you are happy to sleep in 95F and high humidity, you are a better man than I.

Also, we have had park power go out in those conditions, so grid power is a far from perfect solution.

Can you throw $10k at a solar system and get part time air/con, sure but a lot simpler and more reliable to just get a generator.

THIS!:C

time2roll wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

time2roll wrote:
Solar panels... very quiet.

Very true...you can't even hear the air/con blower going because it's not.

Many do have this curious obsession with air conditioning.

Hey if you are happy to sleep in 95F and high humidity, you are a better man than I.

Also, we have had park power go out in those conditions, so grid power is a far from perfect solution.

Can you throw $10k at a solar system and get part time air/con, sure but a lot simpler and more reliable to just get a generator.

Deleted

Skibane wrote:

time2roll wrote:
If enough panels are mounted.... the roof is fully shaded ;)

Roof-mounted panels don't shade the sides of the RV.

Most RVers (including myself) prefer shaded sites - and many sites have been designed to accommodate this preference.

There aren't a lot of campsites that provide full sunlight exposure for their guests - which means that there aren't a lot of campsites where you can exploit your solar system's capabilities.

THat's not really true. It depends on what your priorities are.
If you are looking for sunny sites they are available.
I agree most of us are not looking for sunny sites, because most RV's are looking to be in the shade. But most RV's do not have A/C capable solar systems.
Those looking for sunny sites will simply avoid wooded CG's.
Occaisionally you hear there are not many sites for 45' rigs. THe reality is those with 45' rigs manage to find sites that accommodate 45' rigs.
Most of us don't find sunny sites simply because we are not looking for them exclusively. Searching for sunny sites may force someone to change their destination, much in the way I changed my CG choices when I went from a 30 amp rig to a 50 amp rig.
Once I focused on 50 amp sites, my CG selection criteria changed and my destinations changed accordingly. In the end it was no big deal. It's a matter of setting your priorities.

time2roll wrote:

Bobbo wrote:
Many live in the South, not in SoCal. They have to deal with real heat.

In which case I prefer to use utility power.

BTW So Cal has plenty of heat. Was over 90 yesterday near the coast. Although much is desert so not much humidity.

In west Tennessee in August, 90 degrees is described as "cool today." And the humidity is ALWAYS 85%+.

time2roll wrote:
If enough panels are mounted.... the roof is fully shaded ;)

Roof-mounted panels don't shade the sides of the RV.

Most RVers (including myself) prefer shaded sites - and many sites have been designed to accommodate this preference.

There aren't a lot of campsites that provide full sunlight exposure for their guests - which means that there aren't a lot of campsites where you can exploit your solar system's capabilities.

If enough panels are mounted.... the roof is fully shaded ;)

Skibane wrote:

Lantley wrote:

As for shade, depending on your camping style many will carry a small portable genset to recharge batteries when required.

So, your solution to the shading problem on solar systems that are touted as being replacements for a generator - is to use a generator instead?

Sure if I need a genset once or twice a month, why not?
I have no foolish pride that keeps me from running a genset if that will charge my batteries. Gensets and solar can coexist. It doesn't have to be one or another.
Depending on where your at shading is not as critical as ou make it.
Plenty of solar systems performing very well in western desserts.
Would you agree it's always cooler in the shade? Shade will reduce the need for A/C and ultimately conserve power.
Just because you park under a tree does not mean your batteries instantly discharge.

Bobbo wrote:
Many live in the South, not in SoCal. They have to deal with real heat.

In which case I prefer to use utility power.

BTW So Cal has plenty of heat. Was over 90 yesterday near the coast. Although much is desert so not much humidity.