have solar panels do i still need a generator for backup?
frangipani said
10:57 AM Jul 4, 2014
Hi all, thanks for the great advice, i'm step closer to picking up my Motorhome, just wondering have solar panels on the unit, should I still buy a generator for backup? Fran
Dougwe said
11:20 AM Jul 4, 2014
Fran, the sun doesn't shine all the time and you could be in a spot for a few days with no sun or 240v so a Generator could be handy to keep the batteries topped up. It's nit good to let them go down too far. You could always run the MH I spose but then it's just sitting there idling for a few hours and not sure if that's a good thing. Always good to have a back up 240v supply for any maintenance etc that might pop up too. IMO.
frangipani said
11:26 AM Jul 4, 2014
Thanxs Dougwe
Santa said
11:42 AM Jul 4, 2014
Fran we have a Kea MH and have never bothered with a generator, solar combined with 2 x 75 AH batteries meet all of our power requirements.
Having said that all of our travels are in the warmer parts of OZ so lack of sunshine is not a problem, I imagine if you are planning on visiting the cooler parts of our country the situation would be different and a generator may be needed.
Jonathan said
11:56 AM Jul 4, 2014
Hello Fran ..
As has been said .. a Generator can be handy when it's needed.
.. but if you're only just starting off now, I really don't see any urgency to get one just now .. You should have little trouble free-camping for a few days anyway, and if the solar panels are not working efficiently due to lack of sunshine, then just a short trip in the MH will/should recharge the batteries to carry on .. will give you more time to digest what you might need !
Just my thoughts ..
hotqld said
01:33 PM Jul 4, 2014
We think a generator a good idea especially in summer and the odd heat wave where a air conditioner is wanted.\
Good to know there is a back up power supply.
frangipani said
01:59 PM Jul 4, 2014
Thanks Santa, that puts me at ease, I'm planning a few short trips first to get used to being out there, then i'll re evaluate
frangipani said
02:01 PM Jul 4, 2014
Thanks Jonathan, i'm starting to understand all this stuff is not urgent, just hanging to get out there and be prepared
frangipani said
02:03 PM Jul 4, 2014
Thanx for the input hotqld, by the time summer comes I hope I'll know what i'm doing
Jonathan said
02:20 PM Jul 4, 2014
you're most welcome Fran ..
Before you do invest in a Generator .. and if you wish to use it to power your air-con, then I would suggest you test various generators from a 2 kva up with your MH ..
Not all aircons will run on a 2 kva .. but if only for recharging of batteries and some 240 v purposes, even a 1 kva might be all you need ..
the old addage .. "try before you buy" is most appropriate here ..
Santa said
02:54 PM Jul 4, 2014
Frangipani wrote:
Thanks Santa, that puts me at ease, I'm planning a few short trips first to get used to being out there, then i'll re evaluate
Sounds like a good plan.
SnowT said
02:56 PM Jul 4, 2014
The Question, that you should be asking is..
Do I have enough Power to do what I want to do..
- It's not just the solar Panels, it's the type of Batteries, the type of charging system's..
The Power demands..
-- fridge..
-- Heating/Cooling..
-- entertainment..
The list goes on..
Juergen..
Psst I could bore you with What I have but I'm not going to..
chopit said
06:10 PM Jul 4, 2014
Being a "belt & braces" kind of guy I use solar & have a 1 KVA genny just in case.
Also handy if you need to do any repairs on the road. Run a power drill or angle grinder.
Have only needed the genny once to top up the batteries with a few days of poor weather in a row.
Went to the nearest camper & offered them a power point if they wanted to charge anything.
frangipani said
09:19 PM Jul 4, 2014
SnowT wrote:
The Question, that you should be asking is..
Do I have enough Power to do what I want to do.. - It's not just the solar Panels, it's the type of Batteries, the type of charging system's.. The Power demands.. -- fridge.. -- Heating/Cooling.. -- entertainment..
The list goes on..
Juergen..
Psst I could bore you with What I have but I'm not going to..
Ok now you are boring me
frangipani said
09:22 PM Jul 4, 2014
SnowT wrote:
The Question, that you should be asking is..
Do I have enough Power to do what I want to do.. - It's not just the solar Panels, it's the type of Batteries, the type of charging system's.. The Power demands.. -- fridge.. -- Heating/Cooling.. -- entertainment..
The list goes on..
Juergen..
Psst I could bore you with What I have but I'm not going to..
ok now you are boring me
frangipani said
09:25 PM Jul 4, 2014
chopit wrote:
Being a "belt & braces" kind of guy I use solar & have a 1 KVA genny just in case. Also handy if you need to do any repairs on the road. Run a power drill or angle grinder. Have only needed the genny once to top up the batteries with a few days of poor weather in a row. Went to the nearest camper & offered them a power point if they wanted to charge anything.
so now your telling me I should carry my power tools too
Santa said
09:33 PM Jul 4, 2014
Frangipani wrote:
chopit wrote:
Being a "belt & braces" kind of guy I use solar & have a 1 KVA genny just in case. Also handy if you need to do any repairs on the road. Run a power drill or angle grinder. Have only needed the genny once to top up the batteries with a few days of poor weather in a row. Went to the nearest camper & offered them a power point if they wanted to charge anything.
so now your telling me I should carry my power tools too
He He, some people just don't know when to stop loading, too much is never enough.
frangipani said
09:46 PM Jul 4, 2014
hmmm
SnowT said
10:10 PM Jul 4, 2014
Frangipani,
One of the thing's is Do what you want to do..
I'll drop a hint.... I have Lithium Batteries.. Plus a great solar system..
I have Heaps of Power and by the time I'm finished I'll have All the gear I need and not have to run a Generator...
-- As One of the Members has Started to Call it... "Glamping Powered by Lithium[LiFePO4]"
Juergen
Peter_n_Margaret said
02:01 AM Jul 5, 2014
With a motorhome there is an easy option to install a DC-DC charger powered by the alternator so you get batteries charged while driving, rain or shine.
I built the OKA 10 years ago. There is no generator and no 240V "plug-in".
We don't run out of power, but we do run things like electric blankets and a bread maker, compressor fridge and separate freezer. No aircon though. We open the windows.
I would also advise you to install as much solar as possible. You can not have too much.
Cheers,
Peter
Aus-Kiwi said
10:21 PM Jul 10, 2014
I guess it come to lifestyle like you would at home..?? Some vans maybe too small to have enough solar..
Its best to have solar and battery and depending on lifestyle?? Generator for aircon if you need it ...
Fran we have a Kea MH and have never bothered with a generator, solar combined with 2 x 75 AH batteries meet all of our power requirements.
Having said that all of our travels are in the warmer parts of OZ so lack of sunshine is not a problem, I imagine if you are planning on visiting the cooler parts of our country the situation would be different and a generator may be needed.
Hello Fran ..
As has been said .. a Generator can be handy when it's needed.
.. but if you're only just starting off now, I really don't see any urgency to get one just now .. You should have little trouble free-camping for a few days anyway, and if the solar panels are not working efficiently due to lack of sunshine, then just a short trip in the MH will/should recharge the batteries to carry on .. will give you more time to digest what you might need !
Just my thoughts ..
Good to know there is a back up power supply.
you're most welcome Fran ..
Before you do invest in a Generator .. and if you wish to use it to power your air-con, then I would suggest you test various generators from a 2 kva up with your MH ..
Not all aircons will run on a 2 kva .. but if only for recharging of batteries and some 240 v purposes, even a 1 kva might be all you need ..
the old addage .. "try before you buy" is most appropriate here ..
Sounds like a good plan.
Do I have enough Power to do what I want to do..
- It's not just the solar Panels, it's the type of Batteries, the type of charging system's..
The Power demands..
-- fridge..
-- Heating/Cooling..
-- entertainment..
The list goes on..
Juergen..
Psst I could bore you with What I have but I'm not going to..
Also handy if you need to do any repairs on the road. Run a power drill or angle grinder.
Have only needed the genny once to top up the batteries with a few days of poor weather in a row.
Went to the nearest camper & offered them a power point if they wanted to charge anything.
ok now you are boring me
so now your telling me I should carry my power tools too
He He, some people just don't know when to stop loading, too much is never enough.
One of the thing's is Do what you want to do..
I'll drop a hint.... I have Lithium Batteries.. Plus a great solar system..
I have Heaps of Power and by the time I'm finished I'll have All the gear I need and not have to run a Generator...
-- As One of the Members has Started to Call it... "Glamping Powered by Lithium[LiFePO4]"
Juergen
I built the OKA 10 years ago. There is no generator and no 240V "plug-in".
We don't run out of power, but we do run things like electric blankets and a bread maker, compressor fridge and separate freezer. No aircon though. We open the windows.
I would also advise you to install as much solar as possible. You can not have too much.
Cheers,
Peter
Its best to have solar and battery and depending on lifestyle?? Generator for aircon if you need it ...