Utilizing Solar with FHU
I most often park with Full Hookups. I am trying to figure out how to use solar energy to reduce my electric bill and of course be available when I do occasionally park off the grid. I enjoy my air ...
Forum Discussion
TomG2 wrote:
I wondered if I could get any benefit from solar while in my RV park. The investment will be made for dry camping, but I hate to think that it would not give me a few dollars in return for just sitting there ready to go. If it is simple as turning off the converter, I will give it a try. If I have to plug/unplug every few hours, then it is not worth the experiment.
Scenario is still not clear.
If there is a shore power - you don't need a solar. Compared to shore power cost, with fulltime living it may take 10-20 years to return the investment, depending on your camp electricity rates and whether you can install solar yourself or have to pay a thousand or two for labor.
With fulltime boondocking it will take much shorter time because your only other choice would be burning a generator fuel, this costs a bit, not to mention generator maintenance (and purchase if you haven't got one yet).
Yes, using solar can be as simple as "turning off the converter". You will need a transfer switch to turn the shore power on when you need to use air conditioner, everything else can be taken care of with solar. In terms of parts cost, for things like microwave and other 120V devices that draw over 600W power (but less than roof A/C), you will need solar at least 600W, 700-900W is better, plus 2000-3000W PSW inverter, and battery bank at least 400 AH. Roughly $1400-1800 not counting batteries (and labor, if any).
