generator v solar panels

tugga · Member

generator v solar panels

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Hi tugga - and welcome to the site - haven't seen you on before.
As for solar panesl vs genny - well one of the main things of course, is that solar is silent! - not technical myself, and you could ask this question in the "technical" sub forum on here - you will get some good info - we use a genny as a back up -rainy, cloudy days etc.
cheers

tugga · Member

thanks jules i do take on board all the info i pick up from here this caravan stuff is all new to me cheers

spida · Guru

I like having the gen. Only have 1 12v plug in the van so can run TV or fan or charge something up, where as with the gen I can run everything. I do have solar but dont use it much as TV or fan dont seem to run the battery down and running the gen for a couple of hours a day heats the water, charges batteries etc. Fridge on gas when free camping.
2000 gen a minimum.

jetj · Guru

I prefer to listen to the birds than a generator. I can see where they would be handy to have though.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I now have both.

I started out with a Generator and now have a 120w portable solar panel and re-wired the 12v system in the Avan to heavier wire. I chose portable panel so I can follow the sun during the day. My tug charges the Avan battery and runs the fridge while travelling and the fridge is on gas when no 240v. The gene would come out on dull days only and only from about 4pm - 8pm.

I used 6B&S cable, some say it is overkill but I don't believe in overkill when it comes to 12v.

dawa · Guru

tugga wrote:
i am in the market for either a generator or a 120 w solar panel i will only be using the 12v for some lighting maybe tv and maybe fridge although it is a 3 way unit how long does it take per day to charge up a deep cycle battery using a 120 w solar panel ? seems to me that solar panels have come down in price a lot compared with a generator if i do decide to go for a generator what output do i need for the above useage ?
cheers and thanks a very useful forum

You can get a 220W panel now for the same price as the 120w

Dawa

dawa · Guru

jetj wrote:
I prefer to listen to the birds than a generator. I can see where they would be handy to have though.

me too and i have plenty of solar panels now.

Having said that I have a small generator for cloudy days as my fridge is 12v

I run it a couple hours in the morning [9 till 11] to top up the battery

Dawa

tugga · Member

ok that is worthwhile info spida off to the caravan and camping show tomorrow need all the info i can get cheers

tugga · Member

thanks dawa i am off to the camping and caravan show tomorrow so will check that out cheers

johnnz · Senior Member

I find I can run computer(s), lights, charge mobiles etc, I use a 1kw inverter, all off 1 solar panel. I can go months on this. I do tho run my 120l fridge on gas when parked.

It's got to the stage now where I just cannot stand generator noise.

John

beiffe · Guru

Check ebay out for the panels as well as they are a lot cheaper on ebay.

With a generator you need a charger as well as to use a generator on 12v they are very inefficient so best to run your 240v needs while charging your battery with a special charger, usually already in your rig for when you camp in a CP.

Using portable solar you get more charge when you loosely follow the sun during the day. Just make sure you have a good connection point and heavy cables such as Dougwe has done.

Regards
Brian

tugga · Member

hmmm sound like someone like me i am leaning towards a 220 w solar pack i have a diesel ute and dont want the hassle of carrying petrol for a gen thanks

Dougwe · Chief one feather

beiffe wrote:
Check ebay out for the panels as well as they are a lot cheaper on ebay.

With a generator you need a charger as well as to use a generator on 12v they are very inefficient so best to run your 240v needs while charging your battery with a special charger, usually already in your rig for when you camp in a CP.

Using portable solar you get more charge when you loosely follow the sun during the day. Just make sure you have a good connection point and heavy cables such as Dougwe has done.

Regards
Brian

I got the amp tester Brian.

Sorry to digress a little Tugga.

jetj · Guru

I bought a 120w solar panel on Ebay today for $170.10. Same brand as one I have and very happy with the first one. I blew up the controller or it was faulty on the first one. Cheap enough to replace the controller and run a 6B&S extension lead with Anderson plugs.

garnet · Member

messed up ill repeat ,new at this, i only have a 95w solar on the top of my sunlinner sleep over cab,it has 2 deep cycle batteries .it runs everything even small amounts of 240 through inverter

beiffe · Guru

Hi Doug you will get all the power now that you can check what is going in.

Glad I could help.

Off out to move mine around so I can have a hot shower tonight.

Regards
Brian

buffy61 · Senior Member

jetj wrote:
I bought a 120w solar panel on Ebay today for $170.10. Same brand as one I have and very happy with the first one. I blew up the controller or it was faulty on the first one. Cheap enough to replace the controller and run a 6B&S extension lead with Anderson plugs.

That's a good price. Who was the seller? Have been looking at some by ozplaza (I think). Has anyone bought from ozplaza on eBay? Or any of the other big businesses on there? Good stories or bad stories?

vicki

jetj · Guru

I bought mine from Bit Deals for that price. I've bought Rich panels before from Bittoo I think and Panels have been quite good. Legs a bit flimsy but have been ok.