solar vs inverter generator
Hi, As some of you know my Yamaha 3000 iSEB was stolen. I find myself back to considering a massive upgrade on the solar system (jumping to 2000 watts), or replacing the generator. Going to 2...
Forum Discussion
Don,
You're still in a Class C ... right? If so, it's probably powered by a V10 ... right?
If so again, you might want to consider having the V10 retrofitted with two alternators so you can just idle the V10 for 2-3 hours here and there to top up your big battery bank. We do this quite often with only our V10's single 130 amp alternator. Our setup has so far provided up to 70 amps at idle into our 230 AH AGM battery bank. I believe that Ford V10's are harmlessly idled for hours in ambulance service. The idling V10 is ultra quiet and idles with very little odor.
Also I'm a bit confused about your rig. Doesn't it have a built-in generator like most Class C motorhomes? Why did you then also have a portable genny (that was stolen)? We carry a portable genny along too for extreme emergency backup, but rarely use it. We generally use the built-in Onan or idle the V10 for topping up our batteries when drycamping.
P.S. The "Gold Standard" for North American drycamping - Earthroamer - has no generator (or propane, either) on board. They're designed and delivered with solar for charging their large battery bank AND .... twin atlernators on their main engine for charging their large battery bank when solar isn't enough. (The Earthroamer uses a diesel cooktop and furnace. It's A/C is powered by it's large battery bank ... which is kept charged as I described.)
You're still in a Class C ... right? If so, it's probably powered by a V10 ... right?
If so again, you might want to consider having the V10 retrofitted with two alternators so you can just idle the V10 for 2-3 hours here and there to top up your big battery bank. We do this quite often with only our V10's single 130 amp alternator. Our setup has so far provided up to 70 amps at idle into our 230 AH AGM battery bank. I believe that Ford V10's are harmlessly idled for hours in ambulance service. The idling V10 is ultra quiet and idles with very little odor.
Also I'm a bit confused about your rig. Doesn't it have a built-in generator like most Class C motorhomes? Why did you then also have a portable genny (that was stolen)? We carry a portable genny along too for extreme emergency backup, but rarely use it. We generally use the built-in Onan or idle the V10 for topping up our batteries when drycamping.
P.S. The "Gold Standard" for North American drycamping - Earthroamer - has no generator (or propane, either) on board. They're designed and delivered with solar for charging their large battery bank AND .... twin atlernators on their main engine for charging their large battery bank when solar isn't enough. (The Earthroamer uses a diesel cooktop and furnace. It's A/C is powered by it's large battery bank ... which is kept charged as I described.)
