Solar Generators
New to me, don't like them using "generator" to confuse things, but anyway, some folks are using them with their RVs.
Anybody with opinions on these things wrt RVing?
It seems they can be an alternative to doing an aftermarket installation of an inverter, more battery, disconnecting the converter, transfer switching, etc.
However, I see they are very expensive, especially with the bigger lithium batteries, but those are the only ones any use with RVs perhaps. On that, if you use an extra lithium battery how to balance? Kodiak says it has internal synching whatever that means--or with AGM or Flooded as extras?
I saw one (Kodiak) which seems to have the 1500w inverter receptacles that can only do say 1000w each but you can have a total of 1500w draw. (Same problem with some stand-alone inverters---you want an inverter receptacle that you can draw the total rated from so you can plug your shore power cable into it.)
Some of the inverters have little or no surge rating--you want say 3000w for a 1500w
The built- in solar charge controller can limit your choices of solar array--this is a big thing IMO-- how many amps controller is it, what is the Voc input limit, is it MPPT, etc.
Some have a solar panel kit you buy extra, but the solar panel kit is rinky-dink. You would want to use your "real" solar array with it.
Perhaps you can supply the built -in controller with your own solar controller's 12v output?
Some let you add more external batteries, which would be good in an RV--use the house batteries as your extras.(but that loops the converter?) I see some lithium ones will allow an extra batt to be an AGM , perhaps even a Flooded.
That Kodiak one seems to be no longer available?
Big thing is how else can you recharge them besides with solar? Some have 120v input, some DC, some "with your car" whatever that means exactly. You want ways you can use with the RV.
They cost a bunch, but when you total cost of inverter, battery, and solar controller, and if you are not doing your own work, this can be closer to even?
A smaller RV or one with an awkward layout for doing the usual upgrade to a big inverter (1500w or more) could use one of these things with no difficulty. Just plug in the shore power cable. (converter does not need to be shut off for loop, but might for power management reasons) it is only money!!! :(
First impression is to do your "due diligence" to make sure of exactly what features you get with any of these.
Here is some info, not the whole story of course. Lots more info out there.
https://mysolarhome.us/best-solar-generators/
Anybody with opinions on these things wrt RVing?
It seems they can be an alternative to doing an aftermarket installation of an inverter, more battery, disconnecting the converter, transfer switching, etc.
However, I see they are very expensive, especially with the bigger lithium batteries, but those are the only ones any use with RVs perhaps. On that, if you use an extra lithium battery how to balance? Kodiak says it has internal synching whatever that means--or with AGM or Flooded as extras?
I saw one (Kodiak) which seems to have the 1500w inverter receptacles that can only do say 1000w each but you can have a total of 1500w draw. (Same problem with some stand-alone inverters---you want an inverter receptacle that you can draw the total rated from so you can plug your shore power cable into it.)
Some of the inverters have little or no surge rating--you want say 3000w for a 1500w
The built- in solar charge controller can limit your choices of solar array--this is a big thing IMO-- how many amps controller is it, what is the Voc input limit, is it MPPT, etc.
Some have a solar panel kit you buy extra, but the solar panel kit is rinky-dink. You would want to use your "real" solar array with it.
Perhaps you can supply the built -in controller with your own solar controller's 12v output?
Some let you add more external batteries, which would be good in an RV--use the house batteries as your extras.(but that loops the converter?) I see some lithium ones will allow an extra batt to be an AGM , perhaps even a Flooded.
That Kodiak one seems to be no longer available?
Big thing is how else can you recharge them besides with solar? Some have 120v input, some DC, some "with your car" whatever that means exactly. You want ways you can use with the RV.
They cost a bunch, but when you total cost of inverter, battery, and solar controller, and if you are not doing your own work, this can be closer to even?
A smaller RV or one with an awkward layout for doing the usual upgrade to a big inverter (1500w or more) could use one of these things with no difficulty. Just plug in the shore power cable. (converter does not need to be shut off for loop, but might for power management reasons) it is only money!!! :(
First impression is to do your "due diligence" to make sure of exactly what features you get with any of these.
Here is some info, not the whole story of course. Lots more info out there.
https://mysolarhome.us/best-solar-generators/
