Solar or Generator at first

[Skylarosse]

If you had to choose between a good solar system or a generator which one would you choose. I'm stuck, I could go buy the Trojan T105 6v batteries and a solar system from windy nation or some other place. I know it's great to have both and I will but I can't right this minute. So what would y'all do...

 

[Van-Tramp]

Depends on where you are and your power needs.

If in the south west and boondocking, I'd go with the solar setup as long as you have no demanding needs on power (microwave, air conditioning, etc). Genny's are nice and all, but they cost more over time (gas, tuneup, repairs) then the cost of the solar setup.

If you are in a place where the sun doesnt shine as much (heavy trees or pacific north west, or farther north) then you may want to go with the genny as it will provide power when you need it when solar may not be available.

The big question is how much power are you foreseeing used each day? The two Trojans may be overkill for your needs

 

[John61CT]

IMO first a little gennie, since with expensive batteries Priority One is getting them back up to 100% full ASAP and often.

Plus I can boondock where I like and how long I like, use my power as I like without worrying about the weather.

Plus stealth considerations, and/or an open roof rack.

Then later if I want, I'll get solar to reduce my gennie run-time, maybe even eliminate it completely sometimes, depending on a myriad of factors.

 

[Skylarosse]

Excellent options fellas very, I am in the Pacific Northwest inland but its quite cloudy....and my power consumption is charging phone, computer, running tv and yes in the summer an A/C...but I bought the troJan batteries and I already had 2 AGM lifeline batteries so with the genny for now I should be a ok till I get a windy nation 300 watt system to start with ..

 

[John61CT]

Yes well if you need the genset to start with anyway, no point asking which to buy first.

Takes a **lot** of solar to put back even a fraction of what A/C will take out.

But boondocking you should get the solar anyway, genny will rarely get the bank really full, takes too long.

Best combo is genny in the morning, get the bank to 80-85%, then solar all day will get them topped up that last 15%. Adjust proportions for the weather/location.

 

[jonsun]

its not one or the other. you get the cheaper 6v, the little 800w 2-stroke from harbor freight plus a charger, and 100w of solar.

you're looking at about $600

 

[highdesertranger]

did you mix your batteries AGM and flooded, old and new? highdesertranger

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Understand that the so called "12 volt charging port" on Honda and Yamaha generators is limited to 8 amps - essentially a trickle charger.  You want to use the 120 volt ac output to run a high output battery charger or a converter like an Intellipower 9200.

Mixing old batteries and new batteries in the same battery bank is a bad idea.  The weaker batteries will be constantly stealing power from the stronger batteries.

Mixing flooded batteries and AGM batteries in the same battery bank is also a bad idea.  The optimum recharging voltage for each type is different.  You'll either be undercharging one type or overcharging the other.

 

[Vagabound]

Understand that the so called "12 volt charging port" on Honda and Yamaha generators is limited to 8 amps - essentially a trickle charger.  You want to use the 120 volt ac output to run a high output battery charger or a converter like an Intellipower 9200.

Mixing old batteries and new batteries in the same battery bank is a bad idea.  The weaker batteries will be constantly stealing power from the stronger batteries.

Mixing flooded batteries and AGM batteries in the same battery bank is also a bad idea.  The optimum recharging voltage for each type is different.  You'll either be undercharging one type or overcharging the other.

John, although people think they are explaining, it is so common for people to say things without explaining. Just like there is a large difference between talking and teaching. This difference isn't commonly understood or practiced. I just want to take a minute to say that you explain things very well. Every time you post like you did above, I learn from it. Sometimes important basic concepts that I've been struggling with. Thanks for making things clearer.

Tom

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard Sky!

When I was starting out in this life , I asked an experienced boondocker at the campground I was working at which solar panel was the best one.
He told me "Get the red one."

I had been doing a lot of research on panels and I couldn't remember seeing any red ones so I asked what brand panels they were.....

He told me " There aren't any , but the Honda generator is red........."

 

[ArtW]

if I had to go with only one or the other, I'd get the genny, it's not weather dependant, and solar won't run AC unless you have a lot of solar