Generator vs solar power
Our 2018 Jayco Hummingbird is wired for solar power. Should we buy a solar generator or skip the solar, park in the shade and by a gas generator? Will it charge our battery so we can turn it off dur...
Forum Discussion
I always read these solar discussions out of curiosity!
We don't have solar power at all in our small Class C motorhome. But we do have the built-in Onan generator, carry along an extremely quiet (54dB noise level at full power) portable Honda generator, and can also idle the very quiet and vibration-free main engine in areas that are extremely noise sensitive.
I'm not against solar, it's just that our camping style doesn't require solar power as a high priority. For us, a rooftop solar installation of solid panels (not flexible panels) has at least these two downsides:
1. I prefer and need pretty full access to our RV's roof from the roof (ladders proped against the sides won't do) without having to step around, and/or do a balancing act around, the solar panels to get to the A/C, the roof vents, and the TV antenna.
2. I will not tolerate holes drilled into our one piece fiberglass roof. Holes into it would just be more opportunities for leaks without periodic inspection and maintenance of each penetration spot ... and how are you going to doing this while stepping around, and/or do a balancing act around, the solar panels? However in all fairness, there ways to glue down the solar panel mounting brackets to a fiberglass or aluminum roof - if you want to trust the adhesive year after year of being exposed to the elements.
IMHO, adequate high power generator capability should always be the primary electrical energy source - and solar capability the secondary electrical energy source - in any RV considered as being fully self-contained for extended non-hookup camping. The weather is just too unpredictable for most RV's to not have along some kind of a generator along on all trips.
FWIW, I'm an Earthroamer expedition motorhome fan but do not agree with their generator-less designs. HOWEVER even with their tremendous battery and solar capabilities, they stll have a relatively high power secondary source of on-board electrical power - dual high amperage alternators on the main engine to provide emergency power via idling of the main engine. Their designs do not rely too much on solar.
We don't have solar power at all in our small Class C motorhome. But we do have the built-in Onan generator, carry along an extremely quiet (54dB noise level at full power) portable Honda generator, and can also idle the very quiet and vibration-free main engine in areas that are extremely noise sensitive.
I'm not against solar, it's just that our camping style doesn't require solar power as a high priority. For us, a rooftop solar installation of solid panels (not flexible panels) has at least these two downsides:
1. I prefer and need pretty full access to our RV's roof from the roof (ladders proped against the sides won't do) without having to step around, and/or do a balancing act around, the solar panels to get to the A/C, the roof vents, and the TV antenna.
2. I will not tolerate holes drilled into our one piece fiberglass roof. Holes into it would just be more opportunities for leaks without periodic inspection and maintenance of each penetration spot ... and how are you going to doing this while stepping around, and/or do a balancing act around, the solar panels? However in all fairness, there ways to glue down the solar panel mounting brackets to a fiberglass or aluminum roof - if you want to trust the adhesive year after year of being exposed to the elements.
IMHO, adequate high power generator capability should always be the primary electrical energy source - and solar capability the secondary electrical energy source - in any RV considered as being fully self-contained for extended non-hookup camping. The weather is just too unpredictable for most RV's to not have along some kind of a generator along on all trips.
FWIW, I'm an Earthroamer expedition motorhome fan but do not agree with their generator-less designs. HOWEVER even with their tremendous battery and solar capabilities, they stll have a relatively high power secondary source of on-board electrical power - dual high amperage alternators on the main engine to provide emergency power via idling of the main engine. Their designs do not rely too much on solar.
