Who needs solar?

[Simran]

Stern wake said,
"I think those that avoid solar will always rationalize their decision. I think those that do get solar will never regret it."

I have to agree. I struggled long and hard on this one. I already had the little Yamaha genset but I got tire of my battery bank going south in broad day light. I knew I was going to pay a premium for a solar panel so I actually bought the charge controller first. Once I got a good buy on that I didn't feel so bad about taking it in the shorts on my panel. I've been a happy camper ever since.

 

[highdesertranger]

I have to agree also. who needs solar, everybody. well most everybody imho. highdesertranger

 

[One Awesome Inch]

I live in the same area as Willy and will definitely add at least *some* solar. A single 180w panel would be ideal. We do get a lot of cloud and rain, but we also get at least 4 months of sun. As others have said its best to hedge your bets and use solar as well as alternator charge.

 

[Willy]

A generator ain't exactly stealthy either. ..Willy.

 

[Lucky mike]

for the investment the return is great. proper usage greatly increases the lifestyle....to be able to have lighting , charging and entertainment needs without spending more money on fuels to do it....

a 240 watt panel is priced reasonable...controllers are down in price....you can buy the system for less than a cheap generator.....then back it up with a decent used genny.

 

[Belinda2]

What is the best decision for a city/suburban dweller so I can have a 12 volt frig., single burner stove but NEED stealth? Currently, I have a car and a small RV. The RV is at a storage lot and I "work out of it". I use propane in the RV and just the sun or flashlight in the car. I have boondocked this way 2-5 days/ week since 1991. Now the car is old and I'm thinking of a minivan because I can't stand the idea of a V8 with poor mpg when my RV is VERY light weight. I would love solar but don't think they could be stealthy on the roof or passenger seat.
1. Could solar work against the tinted side windows of a minivan?
2. What is the best decision for a city/suburban dweller who is minimally driving?

 

[Willy]

You can buy solar panels that are thin and flexible, use them on boats 'n such. They're not the huge Unisolar ones either. Flexible solar panel ..Willy.

 

[Stargazer]

I don't need solar.

Really? Should I "justify" why I don't need solar? Seems to me those who must have all the bells and whistles need to justify their need for them.

For those who believe "having solar" sets them free, I would argue that it is just the opposite. You are tied to your computers, phones, internet access devices, cell phones, televisions and satellites (all of which dictate where you go/park), and have to worry about your controllers, panels, wiring, batteries, parking in the sun, rain, hail, MVC's, theft of any/all of the above, which necessitates purchasing insurance or carrying a weapon so you can defend all of it. Doesn't sound like "freedom" to me. Sounds more like "sad".

LOL! Nothing worse than a reformed sinner, eh? I know, I know...I'm a minimalist snob.

Nope, don't need "solar".

 

[GotSmart]

I have insurance...Please dont hate me for it!

I have a need for my CPAP, and refrigeration helps me save a lot of money in my food. I cook by electricity, and enjoy some music or a movie when I have trouble sleeping. My phone / computer gives me access to my friends, family, and the next job.

Solar is much better than a generator in my opinion. No fossil fuels.

 

[Belinda2]

My goal is to boondock full time. Some jobs, like mine, require that I have internet and phone access. So, yes, it is a need not a want.
Willy,
You ARE superior. What WOULD I do without you? I must check that out!

 

[Willy]

Hey.. thanks. Some of those panels are really tough, can walk on them, and are often used on boats. My neighbor across the street has a pop-up tent trailer with them on the roof and they sit flush and look altogether skookum. ..Willy.

 

[SoulRaven]

I don't need solar.

Really? Should I "justify" why I don't need solar? Seems to me those who must have all the bells and whistles need to justify their need for them.

LOL! Nothing worse than a reformed sinner, eh? I know, I know...I'm a minimalist snob.

Nope, don't need "solar".

Greetings!

Yep, guess I'm one of those reformed sinners too... Spent thousands on fancy solar setups so I could have the privilege of running out of power in the middle of the night.

I do have all the bells and whistles, but gave up on solar battery charging. I'm probably not the average user, using most of my power after the sun goes down, since I frequently work all night. If I was using little to no juice overnight, MAYBE solar would work for me.

In general, having been there and done that, my conclusions are that solar is something to sell you, and to those who buy into it, it is something to brag about, and the keeping up with the Jone's thing.

With all of the thousands of dollars I wasted on solar, when promised I would never run out of juice (which all failed miserably), I could have given 20 rigs free power for life using my setup which costs ~$100 setup + 1-2 gallons of gas per month.

I do have some individual solar powered items that I love, like my bug zapper. It will only run maybe 3-4 hours, but in my enclosed van, it will clear all of the bugs within 1/2-1 hour, so that works... My solar LED lamps will last 4-5 hours, so between 2 of them, I can go all night. All of the above seem to charge in just plain daylight too, no sunshine required.

I think if people want to play with solar, they should go for it, but if they find themselves trapped like I was, spending over $100 per month in gas to run their AC generator to have their desired power, just remember that you can build an efficient 12v DC generator that will give you all the power you need for under $100, that will only cost you $4-$5 per month in gas to run. So is solar worth it? A $500 solar system would cost you the same as 10+ years of proven, reliable, non-solar system juice that works rain or shine, and is easily transportable between rigs. Do your due diligence BEFORE you make a decision... Don't just talk to people who say they love their solar, talk to people who have had real world experiences that don't like it too. Every coin has two sides, and knowledge is power.

Never speak ill of solar panels, for they can light up your life...


Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

 

[Zil]

a solar system has to be designed for what you need. Enough battery bank, with enough solar watts. But with the new generator that runs on baking soda and water, who needs solar.

 

[wagoneer]

solar schmolar, I love it

 

[GotSmart]

a solar system has to be designed for what you need. Enough battery bank, with enough solar watts. But with the new generator that runs on baking soda and water, who needs solar.

The by product of Chlorine gas is not what I would want to deal with.

Is there anyone that sells such a critter?

 

[Willy]

Well, so it seems, different conclusions have been reached. My solar setup works, and works exceptionally well, rain, shine, even snow. My stereo, refrigeration, lighting, cooling fan, furnace fan/valve body, and laptop all run off it, day and night. Low maintenance (wipe off the panels every so often) and no noise make for enjoyable living. As for cost vs gas and that '10 years' bit, well, one of my panels is already 10 yrs old and likely to for for another 10+.

I HAD a generator (and have had friends who did and near couldn't wait to switch to solar) and never had to use it. It just.. sat there. All of my high draw loads (power tools) are transient loads, and are soon replenished. I could see someone running air conditioning or having one of those lousy 'modern' RV furnaces needing a generator, but a person with relatively meager needs can easily get by without.

One thing I find rather amusing is that, during the summer months, I actually like to stay in the sunniest locations, while others are desperately seeking shade. That's cuz the brighter it gets, the faster my cooling fan spins (hooked directly up to my solar panels), enabling me to sleep comfortably at 'high noon'. This is a real benefit, since many of the places I go to are noticeably lacking in tree cover. ..Willy.

 

[Lucky mike]

Im with you willy!!!!

Solar is only good when it is used and calculated right.....
Granted I cant run my A/C with it....but the fridge ...TV...and everything else runs fine without limiting me...If I have a few bad days or know I need more power I use the Genny for a couple hours and that is a rare occurrence.

I think the problem those that use solar and fail is that corners are being cut or they dont have an understanding of it..........or they are just power pigs that think electricity is endless

with solar yes....every now and then you need to wipe the panels down....once a month you should be checking fluids in the batteries........if your smart you would make your panels so they are removable so you can park in the shade and put them out in the sun.

most setups dont require more than 500 watts to conservatively run flawless.
so 3 good batteries and 2 -240 watt panels and everything is good!!

 

[Willy]

Man, you're living in the lap of luxury! I'm only running abt 180W of solar. For my needs, I find that my real limit rests in my batteries.. should get another deep cycle (roughly $60 at Costco). During the summer, and most of the winter, what I have in the way of solar is considerably more than what's required during the day. Still, I wouldn't mind 'gilding the Lilly' a bit and maybe adding another 80-100W of solar for the winter.. just in case.

One thing I WAS looking into is a homemade 12v genny. It's one of those things that I'd most probably rarely use, but might come in handy. Most likely, it would be used helping out friends who've run their batteries too low or for extended stays in the deep forest during the winter. ..Willy.

 

[Zil]

Got smart, where does the chlorine come from? I thought the real problem was much neutral.
Willy, 12 volt generator, a pretty good idea, until you find out how much drag is on a big 12 volt alternator or generator under load.

 

[GotSmart]

Got smart, where does the chlorine come from? I thought the real problem was much neutral.
Willy, 12 volt generator, a pretty good idea, until you find out how much drag is on a big 12 volt alternator or generator under load.

Baking soda is bad on the metal plates and over time - will eventually turn into NaOH (most people who swear by baking soda don't know that part) That is what happens to eat up the heads, the hydrogen storage tank, the production tank, and all related systems... That is why this is theory and not real product that is being sold on the market. The perpetual motion machine has not been invented. Just displayed on YouTube where people are not able to see the guts being eaten up by the corrosive action.