We are heading out west for vacation and will be staying in several no hookup sites. although we have a generator, our camper is not in any way wired for solar - it doesn't even have a 12 volt plug. I was looking at this:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A3UGHOA/ref=s9_simh_gw_p86_d0_i4?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0264Y5N2F1R6XVV41GRZ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846to use when the generator is off overnight to power my husband's cpap machine and perhaps the tv and directv box. has anyone used this product or perhaps knows of something similar?

The specs say: "Consists of a 40W solar panel, 60 amp-hr. battery,"It is almost criminal that they even dare to call this an "1800w" system. No, this is NOT what you want. It's way expensive, and that battery is about 1/2 the capacity of even ONE 12v rv battery. It wouldn't last one night running your stuff.You'll get more responses with other suggestions. Good thing you asked first.Solar is generally not a 'plug and play' operation. Google "solar basics" or on youtube and do a bit of homework!

I would not feel safe to depend on solar by itself... What happens if it is cloudy for a week. You need to have a basic high battery capacity setup and then either recharge the batteries with Solar when the sun is out or with a generator when allowed to run one. You could even add some roof mounted turret type wind generators to the battery re-charge plan as well. They look like attic vents on homes...It will take some serious planning I think to be successful...Just my thoughtsRoy Ken

Run away FAST from this. This is NOT what you want. I thought it was going to be one of those Harbor Freight solar panels, which is 10x better for the money..

Just taking some basic numbers cpap machines take about 40w. If you sleep for 8 hours that is 320 watt hours. You would need batteries of at least twice that or 640 watt hours.

If this is not a project you want to take on right now, make sure you have 4 good 6v batteries, an inverter, and plenty of gas to recharge during the day.

Solar question | Good Sam Community

WyoTraveler
Explorer
Jun 09, 2013
Just taking some basic numbers cpap machines take about 40w. If you sleep for 8 hours that is 320 watt hours. You would need batteries of at least twice that or 640 watt hours.
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Jun 09, 2013
Run away FAST from this. This is NOT what you want. I thought it was going to be one of those Harbor Freight solar panels, which is 10x better for the money..
RoyB
Explorer II
Jun 09, 2013
I would not feel safe to depend on solar by itself... What happens if it is cloudy for a week. You need to have a basic high battery capacity setup and then either recharge the batteries with Solar when the sun is out or with a generator when allowed to run one. You could even add some roof mounted turret type wind generators to the battery re-charge plan as well. They look like attic vents on homes...

It will take some serious planning I think to be successful...

Just my thoughts
Roy Ken
2oldman
Explorer II
Jun 09, 2013
The specs say: "Consists of a 40W solar panel, 60 amp-hr. battery,"

It is almost criminal that they even dare to call this an "1800w" system. No, this is NOT what you want.

It's way expensive, and that battery is about 1/2 the capacity of even ONE 12v rv battery. It wouldn't last one night running your stuff.

You'll get more responses with other suggestions. Good thing you asked first.

Solar is generally not a 'plug and play' operation. Google "solar basics" or on youtube and do a bit of homework!

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