I've been toying with the idea of treating my 2010 Luna Quasar 462 to a solar panel but I've just seen an ad for a inverter generator which works out about the same cost to buy but obviously a few pence to run . I am too old in the tooth to work off a ladder so it would cost me an extra few quid to install the solar panel.
We always camp off grid and the battery holds up well for a week or so but can struggle with the motor mover when we get home. This year we plan to tour Wales and the lakes possibly away for a month hence we need something to keep the battery happy. Your thoughts please as we have never used either method of generating electricity.
------------- The longest sentence known to man is "I do"
A lot of sites put restrictions on when/if you can run a generator. They are anti-social and many people get upset by the noise and exhaust fumes.
Solar just works silently all the time that you have daylight. The brighter it is the harder it works.
We use 2 folding panels and can go several weeks during Spring and Summer with no problems.
Buy a large portable solar panel kit.
This doesn't need fitted and hard wired to the caravan.
Generators are deemed anti-social and most sites will ban them.
------------- I came into this world with nothing and I've still got most of it left.
You enjoy being off grid. I assume that usually means basic sites out in the countryside, in the peace & quiet. You might find the constant noise of a diesel generator is at odds with that philosophy, and they smell too. (I’ve not stayed more than one night at the sites where they’re allowed.)
A pre-charged “portable power station” with a battery is quiet (just an audible hum) but it’s big & very heavy, needs two to lift it. Expensive too.
The folding solar panel is something I often see in the front window of campervans, or propped up outside facing in the best direction. I agree with others, that’s a sensible option.
panels on the roof are a fit and forget option its the way i would go..
i think its worth spending a little extra for the convenience..
but this off grid stuff really does cone down to how much money you are prepared to spend..
i have 300 watts of flexible solar panels on the roof.. 2 x 100 amp lithium batteries.. a DC to DC charger for charging on the move plus a 1000 watt inverter which powers all the vans 240 volt sockets..
it cost me all in about £1500 quid which sounds a lot but when you think a caravan can cost £25000 maybe it isnt..
As already said, you won't be popular using, if indeed you are allowed to use at all, a generator on a regular campsite! Even the proclaimed 'silent' ones are anything but if you are close enough, which can be annoying as far away as 40 or 50 yards with the worst of them. 'Silent' is a VERY relative word and is used in context of very noisy ordinary gennys. An ordinary (non-'silent') type will be intrusive from hundreds of yards away in the usual quiet environment of the countryside. A 4 stroke engine will give off exhaust fumes that can drift onto other's pitches, 2 stroke and diesels are even worse for smell!
I've used quite a few on camping trips over the years, BUT we've been at motor races with pop-up campsites with no EHU and the background noise from the racing makes their noise far more acceptable, and just about everybody else has one too! We needed the power output to run domestic fridges and freezers, solar setup just wasn't going to hack it without getting very elaborate and expensive.
Few other factors to consider with generators, they gobble fuel (my 1kW ones do about 1l/hour if heavily loaded - the manufacturers quoted fuel consumption is usually at only 1/2 or 2/3 load!), so you either have to take substantial quantities with you (most forecourt rules limit you to 10 litres in jerry cans per transaction!), or keep going off to refill jerry cans every day or so if you run it a lot.
The Voltage (including voltage spikes) and/or Frequency output stability from generators can be awful, something like a power drill won't much care, but electronics can be damaged and often don't behave themselves on a fluctuating supply. 'Electronics' includes the inbuilt power supply (240v-12v converter) and battery charger in your caravan. You generally have to buy a very high end (read EXPENSIVE! Honda, Kipor etc.) one to get assured output. Inverter generators are undoubtedly significantly better than regular ones, but the cheapish ones are not perfect.
Over and above fuel usage, gennys have additional running costs like an oil change (for 4 stroke ones) after so many hours use and the occasional spark plug replacement, you'll rue not changing the plug when necessary as it'll likely be a pig to start and your pull starter arm will protest after multiple attempts!
Very few Gennys are water resistant, so you'll need to rig some kind of shelter to keep the rain out, and of course the exhaust fumes are toxic (Carbon monoxide), so you can't use any kind of habitable space like an awning.
The portable solar panel sounds like your best option with your described usage. It has the advantage over a fixed (on roof) one in that you can orientate it to face the Sun and get the most efficient use from it, fixed ones suffer in that the angle of the sun to the panel is rarely optimal, and only at it's best for a few short hours a day anyway, a portable one can be optimised from sunrise to sunset if you can be asked to move it a few times a day to face the sun. In a practical sense, that means a smaller rated portable can produce more power than a fixed one if used optimally. Generators have their place, but Solar panels seem to win out for your needs IMHO.
Looks like your dog is doing a good job of guarding your solar panel and the bike. Is there any way the panel can be secured to the A frame for instance
------------- The longest sentence known to man is "I do"
Quote: Originally posted by trog100 on 30/3/2022
it cost me all in about £1500 quid which sounds a lot but when you think a caravan can cost £25000 maybe it isnt..
Quote: Originally posted by trog100 on 30/3/2022
it cost me all in about £1500 quid which sounds a lot but when you think a caravan can cost £25000 maybe it isnt..
trog
My caravan cost me less than £1,500!
so did mine it cost me about £900 quid eight years ago.. its a 1994 avondale mayfly.. he he
i keep looking at buying a newer van but each time i do i am put off because it would take a fair bit of money and effort to make it anywhere near as good as the one i already have..
i am kind of caught in my own trap i have made the van i have too good.. he he
having said that some people must spend a lot more money on their caravan hobby that we do colin.. somebody must buy these new caravans..
i have 300 watts of flexible solar panels on the roof.. 2 x 100 amp lithium batteries.. a DC to DC charger for charging on the move plus a 1000 watt inverter which powers all the vans 240 volt sockets..
trog
If I had a system like that I'd use it for the house as well when the vans in dock
------------- The longest sentence known to man is "I do"
i have 300 watts of flexible solar panels on the roof.. 2 x 100 amp lithium batteries.. a DC to DC charger for charging on the move plus a 1000 watt inverter which powers all the vans 240 volt sockets..
trog
If I had a system like that I'd use it for the house as well when the vans in dock
doing the caravan did inspire to go further..
i now have 20 x 150 watt on two of my garden sheds.. there is an 8 x 100 amp lithium battery bank with a 3000 watt inverter.. this powers a mini circuit into the house.. currently with spring sunlight its producing 1400 watts house and shed power less of course when the sun isnt shining..
i am getting ready for the power cuts when they come.. he he..
the only problem with portable solar panels is that they are portable and can be ported away by a toe rag. We have always had ours fixed to the roof. MPPT controller is the way to go.
Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 02/4/2022
the only problem with portable solar panels is that they are portable and can be ported away by a toe rag. We have always had ours fixed to the roof. MPPT controller is the way to go.
Probably, but to an extent, the risk depends on the nature of the camping sites and more importantly the type of clientele they attract. Not the type of camping we favour.
Well, its not been an issue, nor any real concern in the 31 years we have used one.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Genny v Solar
via mobile 30/3/2022 at 11:12am
