have solar panels do i still need a generator for backup?

frangipani · Guru

have solar panels do i still need a generator for backup?

Dougwe · Chief one feather

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 · Guru

biggrin Thanxs Dougwe

Santa · Guru

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. smile

Jonathan · Senior Member

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 · Veteran Member

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 · Guru

biggrin 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 · Guru

biggrin Thanks Jonathan, i'm starting to understand all this stuff is not urgent, just hanging to get out there and be prepared

frangipani · Guru

smile Thanx for the input hotqld, by the time summer comes I hope I'll know what i'm doing

Jonathan · Senior Member

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 · Guru

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. smile

SnowT · Guru

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 · Senior Member

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 · Guru

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 · Guru

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 · Guru

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 · Guru

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. biggrin

frangipani · Guru

confuse confuse confuse confuse hmmm

SnowT · Guru

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 · Guru

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 · Guru

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 ...