Solar or generator for older camper?
I have an 89 Lance camper and plan on dry camping with my wife and toddler daughter. I'd like to know people's opinions on adding solar versus plopping the dough on a Honda Generator. I'd ultimate...
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I would suggest to beef up the battery bank, first. Your two or three day excursions may be totally doable with something like two GC2 6 V golf cart batteries. I bought two at Sam's club and they were around $180 including tax and core swap charges. If you have a new 12 V battery add an additional 12 V.
Charging schemes will vary with use and location. Solar is very kind to charge batteries. I haven't touched anything in the system other than checking the batteries since I installed. If you plan to move on to another trailer soon, I'd suggest to use solar as portables. These Renogy modules are very popular. Add a controller for $30 and an MC4 wire set for $30 and you can have solar for less than $2/watt.
The Champion inverter gen sets are also popular and will do most of what a Honda or Yamaha will. The open frame models are noisier but the cheapest by far. I don't like using one when camping but that is personal preference and my heating appliance doesn't require power. YMMV.
Charging schemes will vary with use and location. Solar is very kind to charge batteries. I haven't touched anything in the system other than checking the batteries since I installed. If you plan to move on to another trailer soon, I'd suggest to use solar as portables. These Renogy modules are very popular. Add a controller for $30 and an MC4 wire set for $30 and you can have solar for less than $2/watt.
The Champion inverter gen sets are also popular and will do most of what a Honda or Yamaha will. The open frame models are noisier but the cheapest by far. I don't like using one when camping but that is personal preference and my heating appliance doesn't require power. YMMV.
