Does solar really beat having a generator?

[thoer]

Originally Posted by Viajante

Twelve weeks on the road without hookups this year. I have a roof mounted 95 watt panel. I put the controller inside a cabinet because I don't even need to check it. Never at a loss for power. Generators, even the quiet ones, are a nuisance to yourself and others. The fact that you need to hide it is proof of that.

Huum, I don't I ever said we "hide" it - more accurately we try to minimize the sound to others by how we orient it and only have ever used it in campgrounds that are already not quiet to begin with.

[gbaglo]

Owning a generator is kinda like being a smoker.
Glad I quit smoking a few years ago, but I'm not ready to give up my generator.

[rbryan4]

Coming from the tent camping and backpacking world, I realize that RV camping often has a different mindset. But, I have to agree with Steve and others who consider generators a nuisance and detrimental to the whole camping experience. When we camped in a tent we often had a hard time finding peace and quiet because of all the d**n generators running.

For our style of camping, I would only have a generator or use one in one situation: a very hot (south Texas) day, at a site that is far from other campers. That way I could run the AC.

There is just so much positive that solar has to offer: silence, renewable energy, zero emissions and about as green as you can get. You get to have your conveniences when you want them, but you don't have to make any noise or pollution doing it.

[thoer]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Owning a generator is kinda like being a smoker.
Glad I quit smoking a few years ago, but I'm not ready to give up my generator.

Do we get our own lounge to hang out in and be social outcasts? Generators Anonymous meetings start Monday....

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

For our style of camping, I would only have a generator or use one in one situation: a very hot (south Texas) day, at a site that is far from other campers. That way I could run the AC.

Just curious. In the situation that you describe, do you sit in the trailer all day with the door closed and the AC running, watching National Geographic specials on penguins?
Not having AC, I just seek out a breeze.
Which, speaking of, I'm still trying to find a 12V fan that is compact and portable. Had one with a spring clip but it gave up in Osoyoos one afternoon.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by thoer

Do we get our own lounge to hang out in and be social outcasts? Generators Anonymous meetings start Monday....

In B.C. you no longer have a separate lounge for smokers, can't smoke on patios or within 6 metres ( 18 feet ) of a door or window, or in a park, at the beach.
Basically, you have to smoke in the middle of a four-lane highway.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Just curious. In the situation that you describe, do you sit in the trailer all day with the door closed and the AC running, watching National Geographic specials on penguins?
Not having AC, I just seek out a breeze.
Which, speaking of, I'm still trying to find a 12V fan that is compact and portable. Had one with a spring clip but it gave up in Osoyoos one afternoon.

Glenn, if you've ever camped in the deep south, and South Texas in particular, you know that even at night the temperatures can be stifling -- to the point where sleeping is really difficult. I don't think we'd camp often in such an area during the peak of summer. If we did, we'd suffer through unless we could be sure that a small generator wouldn't disturb anyone. As for daytime when we're out and about, we are used to the heat.

[gbaglo]

Stifling is sleeping under a mosquito net in Dar es Salaam.
Being old, I can't take the heat anymore. Or the cold.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Stifling is sleeping under a mosquito net in Dar es Salaam.
Being old, I can't take the heat anymore. Or the cold.

Does a mosquito net in Kuwait or Qatar count? He he .... I hear ya. Been there, done that.

[Greggo]

Got em both. Solar and a generator. Place for both of them, a little discretion is appropriate though with using the later.

Greg

[tractors1]

Definitely in Southern California.....

[padlin]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Which, speaking of, I'm still trying to find a 12V fan that is compact and portable. Had one with a spring clip but it gave up in Osoyoos one afternoon.

Been using this one, might be bigger then you're looking for. Seems a decent trade between size and power. Not real powerful, but it's enough.

Amazon.com: Fan-Tastic Vent 01100WH Endless Breeze 12V Fan: Automotive

[MyronL]

Gee, haven't given this much thought to generators since I dry camped up on a mountain in the central highlands for 6 months with 187 guys. My bunk was 12 meters from four 45KW generators going 24/7. They were loud.

Because some say Solar don't mean I say Tomato. Yet no sun still means no joy. O Mother Nature, we love your amps, we love your ohms, but fail us and we'll drag our bones... to any alternate power zone.

When you need the power you still need the power. Those who abuse the privilege deserve contempt. In fact, when I drive by them rolling McMansions I am always tempted to suppress a sneer.

[Greggo]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Definitely in Southern California.....

Oh heck yes, it gets pretty challenging to set up a defensive perimeter around the campsite down here!

[hotfishtacos]

Originally Posted by Greggo

Oh heck yes, it gets pretty challenging to set up a defensive perimeter around the campsite down here!

You took that at Jalama didn't you! Quite a time!!...

[Bcdonaher]

In the limited time we've had our new Escape 19 with the 160w panels, we've always had full batteries by mid morning, they charge up quickly even after using the micro wave. On the other hand, we've had a few perfect campsites spoiled by people using generators, sometimes for hours on end, most often the units are placed where the noise is minimized for the users and not for everyone else.
Run with the solar package ETI installs first, then decide.

[allan3089]

Hmmm - I don't know about solar only. Here on the lower rainland of BC I plan on using our Escape well into the fall and perhaps beyond. Once the rains start in October we don't see much sun until spring. I can't imagine solar is going to do much for us when I'm dry camping during those times as it quite likely it'll be cloudy/rainy for days on end. Although I will admit to not being too familiar with how effective solar is under cloudy skies. Since during those times I'll be using the furnace a fair bit I need to be sure I can make it for a few days with no worry. Not sure how to do that without a small generator though. I do agree with those who've reported on the small Hondas and Yamahas - they are dead quiet unless under a full load.

[dbailey]

If you're considering solar, you can always give it a try and use the generator as a backup if it doesn't work. That is, admittedly, a more expensive option.

But our 95W panel manages to add some charge to our battery even on grey rainy days. With the new 160W panels used, and the dual battery option, I'd guess you'd get several days before you started to run low on power. But, it is just a guess.

[CADreamin]

gbaglo - We have several of the 10" O2Cool Rechargeable Fans .. two for Lake Shasta where summer temps of 112º are not unusual and one for our Escape. With our solar, it recharges beautifully and we have it if needed at night (especially to keep mosquitoes away outside). (Believe they're on sale at Camping World).

[CADreamin]

Originally Posted by padlin

Been using this one, might be bigger then you're looking for. Seems a decent trade between size and power. Not real powerful, but it's enough.

Amazon.com: Fan-Tastic Vent 01100WH Endless Breeze 12V Fan: Automotive

Bob - Have two of those on Shasta as well. If you're running off solar during the day, these are great!