Solar panel vs generator?

X2

JiminDenver wrote:
It's not a debate of good vs evil here, it's about meeting YOUR needs. That means you have to have a handle on just what your needs and conditions are.

We don't stay enough days on any one campsite for the batteries to see only 90% charge cycles too many times in a row.

The main engine alternator brings them all the way to 100% while driving between camping spots, and at home in storage they're held at 100% continuously.

RJsfishin wrote:

Batteries don't last long if they sit 1/2 dead 1/2 the time

When I did use a generator, my batteries were never full from the time I left the house until we returned up to two weeks later. We ran the generator daily too but we both know that the closest they came was 90% and dropping as soon as that generator was off. They were below full for the next 22 hours until the next run and then again only back up to 90%. Eventually the battery will lose capacity due to under charging.

That's why it's not a either/ or situation. There are people like me that haven't run our generator since getting solar, but we have one. Even when we don't take it, there are a pair of jumper cables to act as a emergency back up for charging.

It's not a debate of good vs evil here, it's about meeting YOUR needs. That means you have to have a handle on just what your needs and conditions are.

Apples to oranges
A generator works anytime of any day or any nite (needs a little gas)
A solar panel works only in sun, and never at nite

If you have no other power source than solar, it would be a no brainer for me.
I'd get a small genset first, then play w/ solar.
Batteries don't last long if they sit 1/2 dead 1/2 the time

Solar isn't quite that limiting but it does depend on individual situations. We run our microwave, a auto drip coffee maker, hair dryer and vacuum too and it doesn't require a generator either. We left the generator home this year and never missed it. I am also looking for a good deal on specific window AC unit that pulls just 465w and 3.9a and that should run off the solar and leave the battery in float.

Now then, there are a lot of unique things that make our system work. First we have twice as many watts as we do AHs of battery bank. Second is we can look at the forecast and decide to go next week or not, we never have to camp in bad weather. Third is our 720w of solar is portable and can track the sun. When we run a heavy load, I swing the panels into the sun and if they can't cover the load, they greatly reduce what is coming out of the bank. As soon as the device is turned off, the solar replaces the power removed quickly.

So our system is set up for fair weather camping. we can go a few days without sun but it requires that we do without the high powered toys and just run the trailer and TV/Sat. Any longer than that and we need the generator to keep us going since I don't have room for more battery. it all works for us in our unique situation.

Our solar panels are working great, but the reality is that without sun they can't keep up. Especially with the short, cold, rainy days of winter deep in the Coves of Great Smoky Mountain National Park when we're running the furnace.

Adding more panels won't really help much in this worst case, no sun, scenario.

And how long can we run that Ah deficit in winter under this worst case, no sun, scenario? Maybe 3 days with the current battery bank.

So for us, under this scenario, if we want to last, say, 6 days of no winter sun, we could either double the size of our battery bank or get a generator.

With a generator, of course, we could stay indefinitely, they're very flexible that way. But I'm thinking of doubling the batteries right now as I can't imagine staying more than 6 days anyplace without much sun. And if that doesn't work out, maybe getting a generator then.

We'll see ... there are other hassles and concerns with each option.

It really depends on your rig and your life/camping style. Our coach is an energy hog. We have 400 watts of solar and a 450 amp-hour battery bank. Even when we are conservative, on most days we run our generator a little each day. Generally we run it about 1/2 hour in the morning while making breakfast and coffee and 1/2 hour in the evening at dinner time. We are able to run the coffee maker and the microwave and give the batteries a little boost at the same time. In our case the solar does not negate the need for a generator, but does greatly reduce generator run time. If you ever want to run a microwave or an A/C, you will need a generator. And, unfortunately, the sun does not shine every day.

More solar or generator?

My recommendation: BOTH

Logic: when the sun shines... Gently... You have all the power you need.

When the sun hides behind a cloud and does not light up your life,, You have all the power you need.

When the sun SHINES, with ferocity and the heat is unbearable. You fire up the generator run the air conditioner and you have all the COOL you need.

JiminDenver wrote:
It's not a either/or situation. You need more solar so that your system doesn't fall behind when the sun plays nice, a generator for when it doesn't.

A sensible and simple answer!