Generator or Solar Panel
Camping world can put solar panel on trailer to keep batteries charged for $500. I have 2 new deep cycle 6volt in series. Or I can buy Yamaha generator for good price that could charge plus do,other...
Forum Discussion
What are your expectations? $500 to $2000 worth of solar power equipment can keep you off the grid if you also have enough energy storage (size of battery bank) and consumption that fits what you use each day. Can you live on 3-5 KWH per day, and do you have the energy storage capacity to take you through a day or two of minimal to no solar power?
Then, do you need mechanical cooling? Air conditioning uses a lot of power, for a quite long time. 1000 to 1500 watts while running, 8 to 30 KWH of energy per day, depending on RV size, climate, your comfort preferences. You will not get that much energy each day from $500 worth of solar panels and 8-12 hours of daylight, no matter how much energy storage. To keep cool, you need a power hookup, or a fossil fuel powered generator sized to your cooling demands.
My experience (I've summered in the Montana Rockies) for where you are, I might pass on the air conditioning, try to live on the energy budget from a 0.5 KW solar source and sleep in the evening air when it gets up to a dry 90 to 100 F with gentle breezes. Where I am now on the southern plains, I need my 4 KW generator, or 3.6 KW hookup to the power grid, to get comfortable daytime temperatures.
Then, do you need mechanical cooling? Air conditioning uses a lot of power, for a quite long time. 1000 to 1500 watts while running, 8 to 30 KWH of energy per day, depending on RV size, climate, your comfort preferences. You will not get that much energy each day from $500 worth of solar panels and 8-12 hours of daylight, no matter how much energy storage. To keep cool, you need a power hookup, or a fossil fuel powered generator sized to your cooling demands.
My experience (I've summered in the Montana Rockies) for where you are, I might pass on the air conditioning, try to live on the energy budget from a 0.5 KW solar source and sleep in the evening air when it gets up to a dry 90 to 100 F with gentle breezes. Where I am now on the southern plains, I need my 4 KW generator, or 3.6 KW hookup to the power grid, to get comfortable daytime temperatures.
