Solar or Generator??
We are going to have some short boon-docking trips (3-4 days). I do not know my actual energy needs right now, but the DW and I are conservative when it comes to water and power. I really just want ...
Forum Discussion
Assuming the quoted below really meant questions that he needed answers to...
A lot of "ifs". Yes, ridiculous, if:
- If RV is expensive. For many, generator is 15-20% of the RV cost and then it is generator that is relatively expensive, isn't it?
- If you actually use it, AND use it not for reasons of ignorance or excuses like "have it therefore must use it", but for objective factors like too hot, or too rainy, or no room for panel and batteries.
Again "expensive RV box", see 1st paragraph.
When there is not enough room for batteries or big panel in rainy climates, then you can not rely on a solar and then the question "solar or generator" is mute. It then becomes more a question of sleeping bag VS furnace, good canoeing VS watching movies, or PNW vs AZ. A separate topic.
Airconditioner can not be run on solar, if this has to be repeated again.
Why wouldn't you go and ask "them"? Solar persons, I mean :) ... Or check the list of completed solar projects posted here, and see how they mount it. The biggest panel that a man can lift is 3.5ft*5ft. RV is slightly bigger. So there is a room to walk around panels. One side of the panel is usually close enough to inspect it from the step-ladder, without climbing the roof.
One other thing that solar persons would tell you, is that mostly it is manufacturer's sloppy sealant work on things other than panels that needs checking. OTH, sealant on panel mounts is applied by user, which means - properly, and often is under the panel, i.e. not in the sun.
I forgot after the first 10 pages - and after not reading this highly informative discussion for a while - who was that mystery man? I think the OP asked about "the biggest return on their $1400 budget".
Some assumed "ifs" again.
-If it's a Midwest and there is a hail storm bad enough to damage the panels.
-If they can't drive home or to the nearest hook-up camp.
-If they are not prepared for a 5-6 days blackout. Blackout supplies and equipment that require no generator, don't cost much and some of them you already have in your home or your RV. I am sure there isn't much need to educate people on things that basic.
FYI, most post-hail troubles with panels in such areas mean removing and re-attaching the panels to let roofers repair the damaged roof shingles. Not to say that panel damage is impossible.
Now you are talking.
pnichols wrote:
- If you're a drycamper, it's ridiculous to spend all your hard-earned money on an expensive RV and then quibble over not equipping it with a generator that you actually use.
A lot of "ifs". Yes, ridiculous, if:
- If RV is expensive. For many, generator is 15-20% of the RV cost and then it is generator that is relatively expensive, isn't it?
- If you actually use it, AND use it not for reasons of ignorance or excuses like "have it therefore must use it", but for objective factors like too hot, or too rainy, or no room for panel and batteries.
pnichols wrote:
- If you're a drycamper, it's ridiculous to spend all your hard-earned money on an expensive RV box and then camp all bundled up in it, or sweating in front of a fan in it, so as to conserve electricity because the batteries' storage capacity and/or solar output isn't enough on certain days to keep up with furnace and/or fan draw ... let alone not even begin to run an air conditioner.
Again "expensive RV box", see 1st paragraph.
When there is not enough room for batteries or big panel in rainy climates, then you can not rely on a solar and then the question "solar or generator" is mute. It then becomes more a question of sleeping bag VS furnace, good canoeing VS watching movies, or PNW vs AZ. A separate topic.
Airconditioner can not be run on solar, if this has to be repeated again.
pnichols wrote:
- If you're a solar person with screw-on panels, how do you crawl around on your roof to get at (all of) the screw holes so as to keep them freshly sealed due to the sealant continuously drying out and cracking from all that exposure to the sun?
Why wouldn't you go and ask "them"? Solar persons, I mean :) ... Or check the list of completed solar projects posted here, and see how they mount it. The biggest panel that a man can lift is 3.5ft*5ft. RV is slightly bigger. So there is a room to walk around panels. One side of the panel is usually close enough to inspect it from the step-ladder, without climbing the roof.
One other thing that solar persons would tell you, is that mostly it is manufacturer's sloppy sealant work on things other than panels that needs checking. OTH, sealant on panel mounts is applied by user, which means - properly, and often is under the panel, i.e. not in the sun.
pnichols wrote:
- If you're a low-noise charging person with a big-buck Class A, it's ridiculous after spending all that $$$ to not spend the additional $4000-$7000...
I forgot after the first 10 pages - and after not reading this highly informative discussion for a while - who was that mystery man? I think the OP asked about "the biggest return on their $1400 budget".
pnichols wrote:
- If you're a non-generator solar person and get caught in a freak Midwestern large-ball hail storm ... what's your electrical energy replenishment Plan B to get by until you can have cracked solar panels replaced?
Some assumed "ifs" again.
-If it's a Midwest and there is a hail storm bad enough to damage the panels.
-If they can't drive home or to the nearest hook-up camp.
-If they are not prepared for a 5-6 days blackout. Blackout supplies and equipment that require no generator, don't cost much and some of them you already have in your home or your RV. I am sure there isn't much need to educate people on things that basic.
FYI, most post-hail troubles with panels in such areas mean removing and re-attaching the panels to let roofers repair the damaged roof shingles. Not to say that panel damage is impossible.
pnichols wrote:
Time to burn the soap box.
Now you are talking.
