Generator vs Battery/Inverter/Solar
We have just purchased our first truck camper - a used 2007 Lance 845 and have a couple questions that I hope you can help us out with. The camper is still at the dealer and we're considering having a...
Forum Discussion
"Next question is where and when you are camping. If you camp in winter (low elevation sun, short days, running heater a lot), in the forests, in rain or in clouds, we find out solar system doesn't do much. Summer, bright sun, long days, out in the open is a different story."
Well said and exposes much of the problems using only solar as a electron source in most of the USA.
Best and coolest temp CG sites are almost under trees and so much sucked up first in CG's. Why? Because the trees offer shade and greatly reduce the need for A/C usage or running of fans which require electrons just like the blower in the furnace does. Trees block out the sun needed for solar charging and so does being behind a building, over hanging hill, cliff, or anything. Then there's the clouds that block out the sun or lower the solar charging possibility and also ambient heat requiring A/C use that are prevalent in most of the country not having dry type desert like terrain or on most mountains. Like said, seasons alter sunlight intensity and availability and greatly reduce solar charging ability or even eliminate it's possibility.
In most northern and eastern (east of the Mississippi) parts of the country, solar is nearly useless of marginal at best. Even here where we are in Florida. Constantly commented about by the RV'ers here in the so called Sunshine State. Lots of tall pines and other trees the RV'ers hide under especially in the no hookup CG's like state forests, national forests, boondocking areas, most national parks CG's, and many state parks and other basic CG's.
Solar is great but only where it can get lots of sun for long hours. Generators don't need sun but make some noise, some a lot more noise that others but they will run the A/C without complaining and everything else even in the dark and in the rain which means there's clouds and no sun. Also recharge the battery bank for the inverter etc so much faster than solar can in nearly all cases. Lots of money spent for so little reward possibility hardly makes any sense for most RV'ers in most of the USA and Canada and of course, Alaska. If the shoe fits, buy it and wear it or else you can simply use the money to give you the real solution to your needs and wants.
Well said and exposes much of the problems using only solar as a electron source in most of the USA.
Best and coolest temp CG sites are almost under trees and so much sucked up first in CG's. Why? Because the trees offer shade and greatly reduce the need for A/C usage or running of fans which require electrons just like the blower in the furnace does. Trees block out the sun needed for solar charging and so does being behind a building, over hanging hill, cliff, or anything. Then there's the clouds that block out the sun or lower the solar charging possibility and also ambient heat requiring A/C use that are prevalent in most of the country not having dry type desert like terrain or on most mountains. Like said, seasons alter sunlight intensity and availability and greatly reduce solar charging ability or even eliminate it's possibility.
In most northern and eastern (east of the Mississippi) parts of the country, solar is nearly useless of marginal at best. Even here where we are in Florida. Constantly commented about by the RV'ers here in the so called Sunshine State. Lots of tall pines and other trees the RV'ers hide under especially in the no hookup CG's like state forests, national forests, boondocking areas, most national parks CG's, and many state parks and other basic CG's.
Solar is great but only where it can get lots of sun for long hours. Generators don't need sun but make some noise, some a lot more noise that others but they will run the A/C without complaining and everything else even in the dark and in the rain which means there's clouds and no sun. Also recharge the battery bank for the inverter etc so much faster than solar can in nearly all cases. Lots of money spent for so little reward possibility hardly makes any sense for most RV'ers in most of the USA and Canada and of course, Alaska. If the shoe fits, buy it and wear it or else you can simply use the money to give you the real solution to your needs and wants.
