We have both. 80W briefcase solar from fleabay for $160. As our power needs are very small, (lights only) we use the solar. Van fridge and fridge/freezer both run off gas. The generator is still in the box and has not been used in the three years we have owned it. We spend approx 6 months of the year living in our van. Nearly all of this time is off power.  We are based in QLD, so long periods without sunlight are fairly rare. Also have solar on the house and over the last 5 billing periods have not had a bill, actually had a 75$ refund.

-- Edited by petengail on Monday 26th of November 2012 05:12:14 PM

Hi we are VERY NEW to caravaning and have just purchased our first van..

Would like some advice on if its better to have a solar panel or use a generator, when not in caravan parks?

Thankyou

Firstly,
Welcome to the forum.
In regard to generators, do you have an airconditioner and or micro wave, in which case and you want to use them in a bush camp a generator is required. Suggest a Honda 20i, if you do not have a strong back to lift a heavier generator, the 20i drives our a/c, but would ensure it can drive your a/c prior to purchase.
Re Sola, its great we have 2 x 80 watt sola panels and 2 x 110 amh deep cycle batteries, especially in Tassie after 4 days of rain/overcast weather you may need a genie to top up your batteries.

Note extra weight of the gennie in your tug, gets close to the Gross vehicle weight of your Tug, ditto batteries and sola add weight to the van, a lot of tandem vans only have 400Kg allowance for gear/clothes/food/bedding/water/lpg/water in hot water system.

Peter

Welcome from me poliver, enjoy here and out in the playground.

I have a generator now and when I get back home will be setting up portable Solar Power as well for use of both in semi long term free camping situations.

we have both - used the genie daily for a few hrs in Vic (April-June)have been away in QLD now since July and rarely used it. From now on though we like to camp under a tree so the rooftop solar is useless so we use a portable (120w folding) Fridge runs on gas when not connected to 240v and about to use genie to run the aircon as its expected to get very hot in the next few days in northern Vic

milo wrote:

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I wonder if the microwave from here http://www.12volt.com.au/ Is like? Is I t 12v or not?
If and when ever I have my own set up I'd like to have the option for cp or free camping etc, And to be able to free camp a few days with just solar, but what's solar like on the wet rainy days etc???

-- Edited by milo on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 02:01:50 AM

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 The site doesn't give a price but I think a normal 240v microwave plus inverter would be cheaper.  For the occasional grey nomad, as distinct from someone who is on the road full time or most of the time, a microwave is something one can forego when not on a powered site. The additional solar and battery capacity needed would make the exercise quite expensive regardless of whether it is a 12v or 240v microwave. I have similar thoughts about owning a generator principally to power a microwave.

Getting back on topic, I'm in the solar panel "camp". My suggestion is don't go buying a generator until you find there is a pressing need for one. Keep in mind that there is not only the issue of weight and space as previously mentioned but also the need to carry fuel for it.

-- Edited by jimricho on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 07:10:44 AM

Welcome to the forum.

If you can afford it then, look into your needs and find the size panels and battery setup you will need to fit your usage. A generator is noisy, many places do not allow their use, you keep paying for fuel plus iff you want to charge things with it while away from your van then there is a chance of theft.

But in saying all that. you might want to take a 1kva Honda generator along just to handle those times when there hasn't been any sun for a while.

Cheers

Jon.

-- Edited by Hylda&Jon on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 08:15:49 AM

In my experience , you need a 2kva genset to run a microwave. I have tried it on 1 kva, and it worked hard. The 2kva Honda gen I have now will run microwave and aircon at the same time. I have 2-80w solar panels, and 2-120 amp/hr batterys , which run the fridge,tv, and lights(12v) for at least 3 days before recharging, up to 5 days. Get solar , bigger is better, with a good reg, and keep the genset as a backup. Much quieter , also. Bill

milo wrote:

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I wonder if the microwave from here http://www.12volt.com.au/ Is like? Is I t 12v or not?

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Haven't checked the site recently Milo, but quite a while ago I looked at it specifically for the 12V Microwave, and they had none, and were not at that stage getting them.  Will check again when I finish going through the Forums tonight.

Have E-mailed them, and will let you know as soon as I get a reply.

Cheers,

Sheba.

 

-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 08:21:10 PM

We use solar only.   We have a 3 way fridge so can run it on gas, and I don't miss the microwave or other electrical appliances like toaster or kettle when free camped, a kettle on the stove works fine.   Probably the only thing we would very occasionally like that we can't run on our solar is the air conditioner, but I wouldn't carry the extra weight of a generator around for the few days use that might get.    We probably stay in powered and unpowered spots about 50/50.

Sorry! To make myself clear, the no generator signs or seperate sections for generators and non generators I was referring to are mainly in the National Park camping areas which, I would guess, anyone traveling this big wide country would be staying in frequently just for a place to camp or to see the attractions.

Cheers

Jon

-- Edited by Hylda&Jon on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 02:44:04 PM

How do you know where generators are not allowed, jetj said they were running all day next to her, and also she was breathing in the fumes, I can't see any fun in that.

Not much of a "playground" if it's full of generators.

Maybe that's the school holiday time and you're near where the mostly younger population spends time.

countryroad wrote:

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How do you know where generators are not allowed, jetj said they were running all day next to her, and also she was breathing in the fumes, I can't see any fun in that.

Not much of a "playground" if it's full of generators.

Maybe that's the school holiday time and you're near where the mostly younger population spends time.

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 Many places have 'No generator signs or seperate sections for generators and non generators.

Where there is no sign then common courtesy applies and talking to your neighbours always helps.

Cheers

Jon

Firefly wrote:

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If we know we are going to use our genny, we pull in early, away from where the main throng would gather and get it out so any other campers pulling in can see it.

Everyone wants to enjoy their time on the road and in the bush. Anyone doing as jetj said is very rare in what I have seen, even when we had no genny and very rude for that matter.

As Jon said, its all about common courtesy, regardless of whether its generators, noisy parties etc.

Bush camping I have never seen a no genny sign. Barn Hill in WA for instance, has generator alley but even its pretty good.

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 Ditto FF