Perryt
Washington
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Joined: 04/17/2007
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So I am considering either solar or a generator. I really only need to to keep the batteries charged. I do not have AC and can live without the microwave if necessary.
So looking for the groups thoughts??
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Raften
Northern Calfornia
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Joined: 01/27/2003
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Honda 1000 will keep your battery charged and cheaper than solar.
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jmcgsd
San Diego, CA
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Joined: 08/11/2003
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I have both and solar works fine for recharging the batteries IF:
- You are far enough south to get decent sunlight
- You are not camped in a shady spot.
If I were located in Washington where neither is normally the case and had to make a choice I'd go with a generator.
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spkncarl
Valley of the Sun/South East Valley
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jmcgsd wrote:I have both and solar works fine for recharging the batteries IF:
- You are far enough south to get decent sunlight
- You are not camped in a shady spot.
If I were located in Washington where neither is normally the case and had to make a choice I'd go with a generator.
agreed...
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Reddog1
El Dorado, CA (above the fog & below the snow)
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I have both. If I could only have one, I would have the Honda 2000. I do have an A/C, and seldom use it. The Honda will do much more than the solar, simple to install, not as subject to damage and works without sun.
I base my preference on living in my TC four nights and three days per week for almost five years.
Wayne
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Perryt
Washington
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jmcgsd, are hinting that perhaps it is cloudy a lot of the time in western washington where I live????
no...
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Lots of Stuff
WA. USA
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Joined: 10/18/2003
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Well I live in Western Washington and it sounds like we really have convinced outsiders that the sun never shines here.
Acutaly the sun shines here once in a while. Our summer days even have sun until nearly 10 PM.
I have solar and mine was cheaper than my 1000 Watt Yamaha generator.
If you don't park under a tree a solar panel will charge your batteries just fine.
Mine is an 85 Watt model with a Morningstar controller.
Solar will work just fine in the summer in the winter it may need help. We go south.
* This post was
edited 07/18/08 10:44am by Lots of Stuff *
DG
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tom_kat
way upstate new york/lake george area
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solar works good for me as long as i dont need to use any AC or microwave i have 160 watts but you need sun and cant park in the shade, winter is differant not enought sun and furnace draws more then solar can put back in.i would have to add more solar for winter use.its always handy to have a generator for back up when needed.
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spkncarl
Valley of the Sun/South East Valley
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Perryt wrote:jmcgsd, are hinting that perhaps it is cloudy a lot of the time in western washington where I live????
no...
I lived there 30 yrs and I agree with jmcgsd...go genny...
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Steve_in_29
29 Palms (SEMPER FI), CA 92277
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Joined: 01/08/2004
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How do you use your camper? Campground-to-campground or boondocking? Are you spending many days in the same spot without moving the truck or do you spend several hours driving each day or so to new spots?
If you need something that will work no matter what the climactic conditions then the gen is for you but if you are looking for peace and quiet then go with an appropriately sized solar system. Obviously if you live where the sun don't shine then you will need larger/higher rated panels to meet your needs.
That being said, if you look at my signature you will see that I have both since I like to keep my options open.
* This post was
edited 07/18/08 01:06pm by Steve_in_29 *
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