Generators for 5er

valhalla360 wrote:

laknox wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

Lwiddis wrote:
A generator carried on a rear rack needs substantial reenforcement.

Much simpler...and better to bolt a mount to the pin box. The pin box is very sturdy, so no worries about it falling off...unlike the typical rear trailer bumper.

If you can live with 1 Air/Con at a time, something in the 3000-4500w range is ideal.

If you are careful, the 4500w unit likely can accomodate 2 air/con units but you will need the right adapter and you have to limit the other stuff you run.

Yes, in theory you can use solar battery but by the time you build a system that can let you run air/con any reasonable amount of time, it's a whole lot cheaper and simpler just to get an appropriate generator and pay for the fuel.

My cousin and her husband did a bus conversion that's 98% electric. Propane is used for their tankless water heater and they have diesel heaters. They have 8 435W solar panels on the roof and a Nissan Leaf battery for the coach. You can see their build at www.beginningfromthismorning.com. Videos also on YT under the same name.

For anyone contemplating solar, check local companies selling used panels. Cousin used all used panels on their bus and they tested all panels with a meter before buying. All tested 430+ watts.

Lyle

So if you want to buy a system like that:
- 8 panels at 435w ~ $3000
- Leaf battery pack ~ $5000
- Inverter capable of running everything ~ $1500
- Installation ~ $3000

I can buy a generator and keep it maintained and fueled a lot cheaper than $12,500 (feel free to tweak the numbers but it's a big chunk of cash).

So your average RVer who isn't an electritian...you proved my point that it's technically possible but not practical.

Also, that's just shy of 3.5kw of panels and can be expected to produce around 14KWH per day on average. Assuming the air/con pulls 1500w...assuming no other loads, you have around 9 hours of air/con in a 24hour period, so with a massive system, you still aren't independent of the grid/generator.

My comparison is a built in Onan was a $7000.00 option on my 5'er.
That gives me the convenience of push button electric. A/C at the push of a button. I could DIY a similar solar set up for $7K or have it installed for 10K.
Having a big solar set up would be a total game changer.
Being able to use non electric sites would open up a entire world of camping. I'm not referring to boondocking which is a rarity on the east coast. But their are lots of non electric sites in state parks that go unused because everyone needs a a pedestal.
Eliminating the need for a pedestal is a game changer.
There are lots of rules that regulate when you can run a genset those rules don't apply to solar.
Solar systems are slowly changing how we camp.
If I were buying today the 7K I spent in 2012 on a 5500 Onan would be spent on A/C capable solar.
This is not your father's Oldsmobile!