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Old 05-26-2019, 03:29 PM   #1
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Solar or Emergency Generator.

After a year of closely reading Gritz,Turner Family and others, solar and generator posts. I have decided not opting into solar at this time. My major concern is remote
boondocking with not enough volts to start rig. Second is all of the in tank gas savings not depleting my main travel gas while in remote area. I know it will not run my air or other limitations. This is just an emergency insurance item I can use for RV power failure or at home. Thanks to all. This item was selling North of $425.00. Price usually does not effect my decisions But @$344.00 this price and reviews Did. I know Hondas are better .... I purchased for emergency backup. A glorified battery charger & power supply.
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Old 05-26-2019, 04:08 PM   #2
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Where do you carry/store the small genny?
Where do you store the 2-5 gallon gas tank to fill the small genny when it runs out of gas?
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Old 05-26-2019, 04:30 PM   #3
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Will only carry 2.5 max. Or a few cans of the quart cans available @ big box stores. Will carry right rear storage or most likely on my Custom Elec. Bike Rack outside. See photos of bike rack in my Album.
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Old 05-26-2019, 10:32 PM   #4
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Good call! I have solar, but still pack the little Honda (had it for ~10 years..) and it has come in handy for us or even friends in need over the years!
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Old 05-26-2019, 10:55 PM   #5
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Good call! I have solar, but still pack the little Honda (had it for ~10 years..) and it has come in handy for us or even friends in need over the years!
Yes
It makes total sense for you in your big, beautiful Palazzo

Solar works for my boondocking needs in our pint-sized Vegas
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Old 05-26-2019, 11:07 PM   #6
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That small generator can produce more energy in one hour than most solar systems can produce in an entire day. They are very different, with different capabilities, and can meet different needs.

To me it’s like comparing apples to oranges. One isn’t better, they are just very different.
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Old 05-27-2019, 12:14 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by taylorbob1 View Post
Yes
It makes total sense for you in your big, beautiful Palazzo

Solar works for my boondocking needs in our pint-sized Vegas
How many watts do you have SOLAR for your pint sized VEGAS?
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Old 05-27-2019, 12:21 AM   #8
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How many watts do you have SOLAR for your pint sized VEGAS?
Two 100 watt solid panels
We live in Southern California where sun is a commodity all year.
So far it works great for our needs

Search “drill-less solar mounts” on this Forum for the write up
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Old 05-27-2019, 12:46 AM   #9
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just my $.02

i would invest in solar. ifrst of all you should never llet your batteries die far enough that it cannot start the built in generator. if your batteries are dead you could use the emergency start in reverse to start the generator. the solar should charge the house batteries (with everything off) in a day to start your built-in generator. it wont run below 1/4 tank so it wont leave you stranded that way. why carry a generator when you already have one?

also i dont like carrying extra gas in cans. what if you get in a accident and it spills? at-least if the main gas tank fails you can blame ford and/or thor. also insurance wont pay out if it's your gas can that burned down your rig.

just my feelings.
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Old 05-28-2019, 03:46 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by revjeffrey View Post
After a year of closely reading Gritz,Turner Family and others, solar and generator posts. I have decided not opting into solar at this time. My major concern is remote
boondocking with not enough volts to start rig. Second is all of the in tank gas savings not depleting my main travel gas while in remote area. I know it will not run my air or other limitations. This is just an emergency insurance item I can use for RV power failure or at home. Thanks to all. This item was selling North of $425.00. Price usually does not effect my decisions But @$344.00 this price and reviews Did. I know Hondas are better .... I purchased for emergency backup. A glorified battery charger & power supply.
Thought about solar but this isnt the southwest.... I bought 2 at the $450 (or so) price. Coupled they give plenty of power to run everything and an a c.. They're not loud. They weigh 48 pounds each. They sip fuel. I strap em to a cargo carrier behind my fiver. Never have to move them (i just expose the exhaust and "connection" end when using). I'm happy with them. I also added a second battery....a tote-along gray water tank, and a 6 gallon fresh water jug. ugraded the tires and got some mor/ryde steps. So im ready for a week at Yellowstone.
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Old 05-28-2019, 01:12 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by taylorbob1 View Post
Yes
It makes total sense for you in your big, beautiful Palazzo

Solar works for my boondocking needs in our pint-sized Vegas
My plan was to rely on the 780w of solar and our LiFePo batteries I had just installed in our new RV, but our first boondocking trip was mostly clowdy and on the second day the flywheel bolts started to back out on our main genrator! Fortunately we were able to tap into our friends RV.
Now I bring the Honda as a backup to the backup...
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Old 05-28-2019, 01:20 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Chance View Post
That small generator can produce more energy in one hour than most solar systems can produce in an entire day. They are very different, with different capabilities, and can meet different needs.

To me it’s like comparing apples to oranges. One isn’t better, they are just very different.

BINGO!! Both options are good...but the generator will work in pouring rain, super cloudy days and in the middle of the night. Good call. You will use it more than your plan. You also have parallel capability so adding another later is an option...4000W...will run one A/C. Nice, instant back up power!
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Old 05-28-2019, 01:26 PM   #13
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revjeffrey,
Glad to hear that you've found a solution that will work for you!

.. Even when the Sun isn't shining...
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Old 05-28-2019, 01:32 PM   #14
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Bob, I look at it as a $360.00 long "term" insurance policy. Not being stranded.
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Old 05-28-2019, 06:15 PM   #15
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I’d follow the numbers ......

When trying to design most any system, one of the first and most important questions to ask is what are we trying to accomplish.

A 2,000-Watt portable generator can easily make over 1,250 Watts on average for 24 hours, which is 30 kilowatt-hours in a one-day period. A fairly large 300-Watt solar system should make an average of about 1 kilowatt-hour per day (in range of 80 Amp-hours at 12V), which is a small fraction (1/30th) of the daily energy production. What are chances that either approach can be as effective on same requirement?

There may very well be some overlap in capabilities, but the amount of energy one needs will likely force the decision very quickly. If goal is to make silent power in limited quantities to run fans, LED lights, water pump, etc., then solar makes a lot of sense.

Once the need starts to include large residential refrigerators (in range of 2 kWh per day), microwaves, coffee maker, hair dryer, etc., then it requires such a large solar system that it may not be practical for a motorhome or trailer. Solar panels are much more affordable, so if there is space for over 1,000 Watts of solar, it may still make a lot of sense.

Then there is air conditioning which essentially forces use of a generator of some type (built-in Onan, portable, or engine-driven alternator).

Solar is quiet, but can’t develop as much power as generators. Generators can produce the same energy as solar in a much shorter time, but they are noisy and most importantly are not always allowed.

I’d start with energy needs and let numbers guide my options. For most applications I think the right approach will be easy to see.
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Old 05-28-2019, 06:59 PM   #16
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How about portable wind turbines?
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Old 05-28-2019, 08:17 PM   #17
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How about portable wind turbines?
Small nuclear reactor works well too! One ounce of plutoinum should last for years in the RV application.

Call Doc Brown - he can help you with the details on how to set it up. He might even give you a deal on a "Mr Fusion".
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Old 05-28-2019, 08:32 PM   #18
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I know one thing...it (The Flux Capacitor) works on beer cans...no problems "generating" power now!!!
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Old 05-28-2019, 09:43 PM   #19
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"Pabst-Powered": I LIKE that!
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Old 05-29-2019, 11:54 PM   #20
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Originally Posted by Long & Winding road View Post
Small nuclear reactor works well too! One ounce of plutoinum should last for years in the RV application.

Call Doc Brown - he can help you with the details on how to set it up. He might even give you a deal on a "Mr Fusion".
nuclear might be coming sooner than your think. still the reactor part is 65ft high and weighs 700 tons but it could get exponentially smaller.

https://hackaday.com/2019/05/29/atom...er-gets-small/
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