tmprkswyo
Southwest Wyoming
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Shadow Catcher wrote:But then other than for AC Solar takes care of it all. My recommendation http://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/rv-solar-quick-answer
Exactly my point. The generator is more versatile.
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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tmprkswyo wrote:Looks like your solar system cost about as much as a good generator?
Yes it did but less than twin Hondas. If I need air 24/7 I am looking for hookups anyway.
Otherwise solar will do it all. Solar is not necessarily the low cost option.
I just prefer no generator running. Maybe it is time to sell my Kipor. I never bring it.
If the OP said he would be parked a week+ in the shade I agree a generator has its place. Most are not camped more than three nights in one place if on a long road trip. Probably lots of 6+ hour days driving.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
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Wes Tausend
Bismarck, ND
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...
I'm waiting for the cheap, noisy version of solar... 
Wes
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Days spent camping are not subtracted from one's total.
- 2000 Excursion V-10 - 2004 Cougar Keystone M-294 RLS, 6140# tare
- Hensley Arrow - Champion 4000w/3500w gen
- Linda, Wes and Quincy the Standard Brown Poodle
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ped
cincinnati
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tmprkswyo wrote:smkettner wrote:tmprkswyo wrote:Shadow Catcher wrote:If you are powering AC you need a generator. If not solar can work. You do not need a generator to charge batteries, you can do this by simply jumping from your tow vehicle and you are less likely to piss off your neighbors.
One major part of this equation needs to be conservation i.e. LED lights etc.
My generator is much quieter than most trucks.
OP is planning a big road trip. Noise from the truck is not an issue running down the road.
Solar works great rolling down the road also.
Looks like your solar system cost about as much as a good generator?
Again my solar system costs $400 and I can go at least 3-5 days of rain and clouds while running anything I like. Including my Engel fridge and 700w microwave. When the sun comes back out I am also back out doing things after being couped up. By 5pm batteries are 100%. No unpacking, plugging in, starting, noise, smell, worry over theft while I'm away, packing back up, keeping gas cans, keeping gas cans full. It's always there and keeping the batteries topped off. Which also makes them last years longer. If I want AC I plug into the campgrounds juice.
All of it for 1/3 the price of a small honda genset.
Generators make zero sense nowadays for most applications. Especially when your vehicles engine can charge the batteries just as well in the very rare occasions it may be needed.
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Shadow Catcher
NW Ohio
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We have returned from our trip out west, a full month. six of those days were in camp grounds with no power and deep shade. The high voltage panel and MPPT controller as well conservation measures meant we were at 100% SOC each day. Deep shade try Big Basin Redwoods!
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wbwood
Mooresville/Troutman, NC area
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You also don't have the daily cost of running the generator. With the cost of gas, one could easily be spending $10 or more a day on gas for their generator. Depending on its usage.
Brian
RVing Illustrated
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John & Angela
Full Timers in Canada, USA and Mexico
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The most versatile would be a genny
The most hands off "fugetaboutit" would be a 400 watt or greater solar system and 4 batteries coupled with a proper inverter install.
The genny would be cheaper initially but would eventually cost more in fuel maintenance...and they wear out. Solar panels don't...well maybe in your grandkids life. We have both, we use both, depending on our current needs at the time.
Solar is also a one time buy. You will be moving them from RV to RV for the rest of your life.
2003 Revolution 40C Class A. 2002 Vanguard 22 foot Class C. Diesel smart car Toad or pulling a 2009 Timeout Tent Trailer.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but rather by the moments that take our breath away.
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Hi,
Here is a place to get panels for 0.82 cents per watt:
82 cents per watt
Buy four, wire them in series/parallel, and add a Tristar 60 amp MPPT controller and 580 watts will be on the roof!
There will be no future battery charging worries.
Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts Unisolar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries, 2500 MSW watt inverter.
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Jetta03
Alberta Canada
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It all depends on how much energy you consume when 'camping'. If you want AC and all the conveniences of home then solar likely won't be enough regardless of conditions. But you don't have to give up much to go solar and it's getting cheaper by the day. Eg we put in 230 watts solar last spring, cost $800 for panel, mppt controller, 1000w pure sine wave inverter. Added all LED lighting which is also dirt cheap from ebay/china. I already had 2 group 27 deep cycle batteries. The only convenience I can't use daily is the air conditioning. All this for cheaper than a 1000 watt honda/yamaha around here.
We recently camped for a full week in tall thick forest with cloud/rain almost every day and had no issues at all. Not sure we could go indefinitely in those conditions but it's not often we get a full week of bad weather either.
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HappyTrails2U2
Tennessee is home but being held hostage in GA.
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wbwood wrote:You also don't have the daily cost of running the generator. With the cost of gas, one could easily be spending $10 or more a day on gas for their generator. Depending on its usage.
If I were worried about money I wouldn't buy a travel trailer. If anyone thinks they can vacation cheaper in a travel trailer they must be adding up their expenses on a cheap Chinese calculator.
2010 Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8315BSS
2003 Chevy Silverado 1/2 Ton Extended Cab
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