Panels don't run things

[2oldman]

What is your response to people who ask you "what will your solar panels run?" (run, as in power, operate)

[DarkSkySeeker]

2oldman wrote:

DarkSkySeeker wrote:
My girlfriend says, "we're going to run the RV power as lean as on Apollo 13".

And you said...?

"Houston, we no longer have a problem"

[2oldman]

DarkSkySeeker wrote:
My girlfriend says, "we're going to run the RV power as lean as on Apollo 13".

And you said...?

[DarkSkySeeker]

2oldman wrote:
...my 12v power usage is insignificant compared to my inverter power...

My girlfriend says, "we're going to run the RV power as lean as on Apollo 13".

[2oldman]

4x4van wrote:
Except that most things in your camper are not powered by the inverter.

In terms of numbers, maybe, but my 12v power usage is insignificant compared to my inverter power.

[austinjenna]

austinjenna wrote:

I tell them it charges my batteries and then an inverter powers things in the camper.
Except that most things in your camper are not powered by the inverter

Always one in the crowd.

[2oldman]

DarkSkySeeker wrote:
Wouldn't saying "panels don't run things" to a curious person be like saying, "we don't take the RV, we tow it" when someone asks if you are going to take your RV on your next camping trip?

Good question. It might be more like if they asked if I was taking my motorhome on the next camping trip and I said it's a 5th wheel, not a motorhome.

I guess you have to choose between 'get off my lawn', and education, judging by how curious the person actually is. Some actually want the education, some just want a simple answer to what they think is a simple question.

After all, nobody asks 'what will your converter run?'

[4x4van]

2oldman wrote:

4x4van wrote:
So since RV solar and S&B solar are really different animals in terms of what/how they do their job, it is a fair question for someone unfamiliar with either (or both) to ask.

So how do you answer them?

Well, since I don't have solar (RV or S&B), they don't ask me. However, I'd like to think that I would simply tell them that the RV solar panels are generally charging the batteries, but that they do provide enough energy to run x, y, and/or z.

But don't worry, I'll stay off your lawn.;)

austinjenna wrote:
I tell them it charges my batteries and then an inverter powers things in the camper.

Except that most things in your camper are not powered by the inverter.:h

[DarkSkySeeker]

Wouldn't saying "panels don't run things" to a curious person be like saying, "we don't take the RV, we tow it" when someone asks if you are going to take your RV on your next camping trip?

[austinjenna]

I tell them it charges my batteries and then an inverter powers things in the camper. If they are interested and ask more about it I will gladly explain it to them as they seem genuinely interested in it. Sometimes they just say 'oh' and walk away which is fine as well.

Explaining things to people is how they learn!

[Naio]

2oldman wrote:

Naio wrote:
I try to figure out what people are really asking, when they ask weird questions 🙂

Really. You have to filter that as to what answer will be meaningful. What I often find is that they ask a question, but they really just want to talk, and you listen.

There are situations (not to do with solar) where I am tempted to ask, "Do you really want to know, or do you just want to tell me that I'm doing it wrong?"

I've been asked to see my electrical system (since it's a bit unusual), but after a minute or so the person becomes bored and uninterested, doesn't ask any questions, and we start talking about his stuff. Then I become bored and uninterested.

Lolololol

[full_mosey]

2oldman wrote:
What is your response to people who ask you "what will your solar panels run?" (run, as in power, operate)

It keeps my beer cold!

HTH;
John

[2oldman]

4x4van wrote:
So since RV solar and S&B solar are really different animals in terms of what/how they do their job, it is a fair question for someone unfamiliar with either (or both) to ask.

So how do you answer them?

[4x4van]

Wow, some really "Get off my lawn!" type of people here using solar, glad I'm not camped next to some of you. Residential solar does in fact "run" things in the house, through an inverter; and few homeowners have storage for their solar. So since RV solar and S&B solar are really different animals in terms of what/how they do their job, it is a fair question for someone unfamiliar with either (or both) to ask.

At least a few of you (DrewE, BFL13...) gave answers that make me believe I would enjoy camping near them...but others; not so much. I don't think I could reach up that far (to your high horses).:R

[2oldman]

Naio wrote:
I try to figure out what people are really asking, when they ask weird questions 🙂

Really. You have to filter that as to what answer will be meaningful. What I often find is that they ask a question, but they really just want to talk, and you listen.

I've been asked to see my electrical system (since it's a bit unusual), but after a minute or so the person becomes bored and uninterested, doesn't ask any questions, and we start talking about his stuff. Then I become bored and uninterested.