On Jan 10, 10:37*am, DaveS wrote:
On Jan 10, 7:31*am, Larry L wrote:



On Jan 9, 12:35*pm, DaveS wrote:

Suggestions and experience welcome. I need a smaller generator for use
with my camper. The Camper is a lance 825, no AC. I presently cart in
a couple of marine 12 volt batteries. With use confined to lights I am
good for 4 nites on one fully charged battery. I want to be able to
run the occasional power drill, recharge 12 volt bats, and some small
appliances, like radio, dvd , maybe a small power saw, maybe a small
ceramic heater.

Brand and model Suggestions? How to Plug in to Camper panal? Noise?

I have a Honda .... it's only noisy in comparison to true quiet. *A
double semi-truck full of gravel wrecked my last trailer a number of
years ago and I salvaged the power cord from it to make an extra heavy
extension cord. * Using it plus the built in cord I get the generator
about 60 or more feet from the rig and, usually, it never bothers me.

I seldom start it however, living 5 month/ year off of two RV/Marine
batteries kept up by solar panels. * The installation I have was DIY
and probably far from optimum. * It cost considerably *less than the
generator ( and I got a family price as my brother-in-law worked for a
Honda dealer ). * *I run small things like OTT lights for tying off
the batteries via a small inverter. * * About the only time I start
the Honda is for a few minutes a time to run the microwave, maybe
twice a month. *I would rate the solar panels as THE single best
investment I've made in my long term camping experience.

If I was to change trailers I would get a top end solar panel/inverter
system. * I know several troutbums that live full-time in trailers
with top end solar systems that do everything, color TV, computer,
that ( IMHO) a reasonable person would want while 'camping' and NEVER
start a generator. * *Such systems ain't cheap, but neither are good
generators or the gas to feed them.

I can recommend the Honda for things like your drill/saw ... maybe
heater ( but the gas cost will likely equal propane costs if you have
a built in propane unit ) ... mine has been without problems of any
kind ( wood knocked ) and is 10 years old.

Thanx Larry. I am curious about your solar set up. What do you get out
of your system (Watts)? What panels do you recommend/use? Where do you
mount them so as to prevent breakage?

What systems have you seen per the "trout bums" you mentioned? Advise?
Dave


Dave, I don't think I have anything that special ... whatever I got
was chosen because it was on sale at the time ... if I happen on the
paperwork I'll add more exact details .. later.

I got my panels from Northern Tool, I think ( it's been a while
and ... what were we talking 'bout ... oh, yeah, old )

Again, I 'think' that I have about 60 Watts of panels plus a
controller that prevents overcharging ... that's about the same has a
5 Amp charger running all the sunshine hours .... whole deal was less
than $300 ..... I've considered adding more panels, my controller is
good to 108Watts, but it's VERY rare for me to have low
batteries, ..... and I camp in summer ...aka sunny time ....

The panels are on the roof, haven't managed to break one on a tree
limb ...yet That hints at one small drawback ... you have to choose
between parking in the shade and maximum charging. I usually look
for some shade in peak summer and still get plenty of charge since the
sun is out LONG hours. Most times I aim for mostly sun till
afternoon, then shade, not as hard to find as it might sound.

NOW, the high end systems I've seen have 4 top quality batteries and
about 400 Watts ( I think ) of panels. They have a fancy built in
inverter that automatically takes over 110 Volt functions if you're
not plugged into hookups, so you use your wall receptacles just the
same on or off the inverter. They are pretty damn pricey, I'm not
knowledgeable enough to quote one, but thou$ands. But, remember
these people aren't paying any utilities all, or
almost all, year, so they actually save big once initial costs are
recouped. I've yet to meet anyone with one of these systems that
doesn't love it ..... for one thing you can "camp" with all the
electrical amenities without paying big$$ to park 8 feet from another
rig in one of those nasty RV places ... or listening to a generator
burn money and produce CO2. ( the stink is as bad as the noise and
ain't been mentioned ... )