Solar panels vs generator |
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Nowakgolden
Newbie Joined: 08 Aug 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7 |
Topic: Solar panels vs generator Posted: 23 Oct 2016 at 9:11pm |
We are currently trying to decide between buying a solar panel or a generator. I would like to hear some feedback on what others have experienced.
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Sue
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Tars Tarkas
Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1447 |
Posted: 23 Oct 2016 at 9:56pm |
A lot depends on what you want and where you camp. Solar needs sun. If you camp in woods it won't work very well at all, and it won't let you run the air con or the microwave. With enough sun and the right system it will keep your battery topped off. On the other hand it's quiet, which is very important to some people. The right generator will top of your battery, let you run your air con and microwave, but they all make a good bit of noise, which can be annoying to you and probably more so to your neighbors. Also, depending on where you camp, generators can have restrictions on permitted hours of use. Most of these considerations are matters of personal attitudes and philosophies.
A generator will work just about anywhere, anytime (except quiet hours). We use a Yamaha 2400ishc, which is about as small as you can go and still run the air con. You pay a premium for the name, reliability, and quietness for Hondas or Yamahas. At least the low noise level is worth a lot. TT |
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser |
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TheBum
Senior Member Joined: 26 Feb 2016 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 1407 |
Posted: 24 Oct 2016 at 12:21pm |
If you're boondocking in the South, you'll want a generator to run the A/C.
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Posted: 24 Oct 2016 at 6:24pm |
Tell us where, and how you camp.. Like many things.. not one correct answer, but a "better" answer can be given if we know your needs and expectations. |
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Nowakgolden
Newbie Joined: 08 Aug 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7 |
Posted: 24 Oct 2016 at 8:53pm |
We plan to visit me of the national parks possibly in California.
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Sue
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
Posted: 24 Oct 2016 at 9:17pm |
To pull together some of the things discussed above:
1. How long will you camp w/o hookups on each trip? 2. How many trips off-grid? 3. Do you need to run the A/C or microwave? 4. Do you want to back up things at home during a power outage?
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Slyder
Newbie Joined: 13 Sep 2015 Location: Ontario Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 12 |
Posted: 25 Oct 2016 at 2:53pm |
We use both when the situation warrants. We have a 160 watt solar panel and a Honda 2000 generator. All depends on sun availability and posted quiet hours.
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Steve and Jan
2016 r-pod 179 2015 Audi Q5 TDI |
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Nowakgolden
Newbie Joined: 08 Aug 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7 |
Posted: 25 Oct 2016 at 10:40pm |
Probably 3-4 nights.
I know I won't be able to use the AC or micro with the solar. My husband is still getting used to the idea that he won't be able to use his kurig. Not sure how many trips. We plan to take off this is winter and travel til we want to go home. Never really thought about using the generator at home but that's a good thought. |
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Sue
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Nowakgolden
Newbie Joined: 08 Aug 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7 |
Posted: 25 Oct 2016 at 10:42pm |
So you have good luck with the solar option when there is sun? We plan to do some traveling out west so the sun shouldn't be a problem.
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Sue
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sailor323
Senior Member Joined: 11 Jun 2015 Location: S Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 281 |
Posted: 26 Oct 2016 at 4:22pm |
We have 280 watts of solar power. We figure we can camp indefinitely without hook-up. Storage capacity is important. Water and waste disposal are the biggest limiting factors. We love solar, so simple, so quiet.
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