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...
Forum Discussion
I just added solar to my little Alpenlite Cimarron 8 1/2 foot camper and really have yet to experience it for good or bad. 100 watt panel was $120.00 and controller was $100. Add in the wire and I am about $2.20 per watt for the initial investment.
I do not have a generator, mostly cause I really don't have a use for one. I don't have (or need) a microwave. I am camping for goodness sake!. I don't have A/C (not really necessary up here as it rarely gets too hot) and I have converted all my lights to LED. I also added an Olympic catalytic radiant heater which uses no battery power. Not sufficient for when it gets really cold, but fine down to about minus 3 Celsius or so (Yes, I have a window open to allow fresh air in).
I guess the point I am trying to make is generators are great but only necessary if you decide that you need to bring your house to the bush. Camping used to be about getting back to nature and enjoying being outdoors regardless of weather. Now it seems we all want to bring our massive vehicles and drive up the edge of the lake, press a button to expand our mobile home, fire up the A/C, throw a frozen pizza in the M/W, crack a beer and tune in the game on the satellite and watch it on the big screen while we can occasionally gaze out at the lake to see if anyone is catching any......................:-O
Oh and yeah, I too will be getting a generator someday ;-)
I do not have a generator, mostly cause I really don't have a use for one. I don't have (or need) a microwave. I am camping for goodness sake!. I don't have A/C (not really necessary up here as it rarely gets too hot) and I have converted all my lights to LED. I also added an Olympic catalytic radiant heater which uses no battery power. Not sufficient for when it gets really cold, but fine down to about minus 3 Celsius or so (Yes, I have a window open to allow fresh air in).
I guess the point I am trying to make is generators are great but only necessary if you decide that you need to bring your house to the bush. Camping used to be about getting back to nature and enjoying being outdoors regardless of weather. Now it seems we all want to bring our massive vehicles and drive up the edge of the lake, press a button to expand our mobile home, fire up the A/C, throw a frozen pizza in the M/W, crack a beer and tune in the game on the satellite and watch it on the big screen while we can occasionally gaze out at the lake to see if anyone is catching any......................:-O
Oh and yeah, I too will be getting a generator someday ;-)
