solar power vs genny

banditandjo · Veteran Member

solar power vs genny

rgren2 · Guru

Solar won't power air conditioning

Dick0 · Guru

Came across a couple using them...nothing adverse about the brand. Both had 2kva "rated", mainly for aircon. Easy to use and start and quiet. I am looking at a Gentrax 3.2kva Rated on special for Fathers Day, 28.5kg though. May consider smaller unit as also want mainly for aircon. They are very well priced, indeed. $599.00.

Careful on the specs...the 4.4kva is only rated 3.0kva continuous.

-- Edited by Dick0 on Sunday 28th of August 2016 08:43:56 PM

-- Edited by Dick0 on Sunday 28th of August 2016 08:49:34 PM

Poppy sore eye · Senior Member

hi, I am not really sure what you are asking. If, you need aircon and microwave then you need a genny.

Otherwise, maybe not, we travel full time,unpowered most of the time, we meet people all the time that have gennys and never use them.

we do have music TV, phones, Ipads cryovac, 12 v fridge and freezer,sure if we get a couple of days without any sun we need to be careful, 5 days we need to move on. We do not carry a genny, and have not missed one..

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

We have both in motorhome which means the genie is built in ., we have had to use the genie when we need to cook or low on gas . Or cloudy days . Yes believe it we went north over winter and had 3 or 4 times when geni needed to be run . Mind you we didn't run it late or early in morning .most times we where on our own .. Not that our genie is all that noisy . Being built in it has sort of double insulation . A few times the fridge wasn't turned over with key left in accessory position which means the DC part of main 3 way fridge freezer drained the motor battery . If we didn't have the genie and 80 amp charger ? We would still be in the Mataranka area .. Although nice place to be ..lol Nothing like the sinking feeling of flat battery out in never never !! We run A/C with genie to get temps down then turn everything off and just use fans .. Inland it gets cooler at night .. We use the genie most times to heat the jug . Found 3 or 4 short runs a day keeps batteries well charged . Having said that 400 watt, 200 AH batteries are charged by 10AM on a sunny morning . We free camp for 3 or 6 weeks at a time . So we need to diversify between gas and electricity.. Diesel genie is very efficient..

-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Sunday 28th of August 2016 10:05:36 PM

-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Sunday 28th of August 2016 10:12:59 PM

Ron-D · Guru

We manage without one sure they can be handy for some people,but we have never missed having one and I absolutely hate it when some drop kick is parked alongside running the thing destroying our peace and quite, there handy on rare occasions but we have never had a use for one., so definitely solar!!! It supplies all our needs and were not torturing the poor bugger parked next door Just to gain something that runs a bit cooler,then our fan on the odd really hot day.

-- Edited by Ron-D on Monday 29th of August 2016 08:54:34 AM

woolman · Guru

We have solar but it will not run the air conditioning or microwave. Have a 12v fridge and wife has CAP machine. Built in generator rarely use. Filled fuel tank in 2007 when we bought it and 2 months ago filled with 21 litres. We do run if boss wants air conditioning or microwave, and if we are somewhere in too much heavy cloud for too long. Generator is just a convenience not a necessity. Neil

Delta18 · Guru

We have solar and it WILL run the a/c!

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yes solar can run AC but not for long .. Depending on battery storage .?? Solar for everyday as it's cheap and virtually free to run .. Geni for emergencies .. Or when boss says so .. Lol

kezngaz · Senior Member

banditandjo wrote:
We need power after dark. To run tv. Ac. Microwave and freezer.
When stopped more longer term than just a few nights.
Im not sure if solar would work for us to power a tv and ac.
We have looked at a gentrax 4.4kva genny for a very reasonable price. Has anyone had experience with this brand.

Hi, depending on what battery storage you have will dictate what appliances you can run and for how long.

Good luck.

Kezngaz.

Cruising Cruze · Guru

@Neil & Lynne

No wonder

You forgot to tell them that you also run LifePo4 biggrin

Cheers John

exa41 · Guru

banditandjo ,I have the very same unit and find it pretty good , however some on here may can them , I only use it as backup for the solar and for powering the home when we loose power which is quite often , I bought mine of ebay 3 or 4 years ago.

banditandjo · Veteran Member

Thanks everyone for replies

macka17 · Guru

Both ARE necessary for normal usage.
Combining solar and Genny, is the practical way to go.
We and a lot of others have done that for over 40 yrs.

If we first in camp area and using genny. we normally go deep inside or off to one side.

Anybody else coming after us.
Can make their own choices. near us or other end.
It's open for all.

ALL truck parks are genny ok.
Just make sure you stay OFF the roadway parts they use.
Get into bush a bit then both happy.

It's their livelihood.
we just passing through and can stop anywhere.

No Air cond.
a 1 kva will do 99%. combined with a 25+a Charger.

You want Microwave. Kettle Air cond. Frypan. Breadmaker, like me.
I have a 3.8kva Chinese Honda powered unit.
runs my and mates Air cond's Together.
or one air cond and both vans. Comfortably.
PLUS electric tools when needed when no power around.

Generators are too useful a tool when travelling out of metro areas to be
anything but taken.
just ignore the whingers....

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yep plus we have moved out of caves along time ago ..

Swoffer · Senior Member

We are going to hold off buying a genny for a while .

I believe there is game changing Lithium/solar technology coming in the next 12 to 18 months .

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yes solar is fantastic .. I find if you ( almost) double what you should have you'll be fine .. It's keeping the navigator, the one who's always right .. Happy .. Ahaha Must say if batteries can be made as good as my new AEG drill set .. Fantastic .. The system looks after itself ., Bo overcharging or complete flat battery ..

Two Strays · Senior Member

Hi banditandjo

Have both, use Solar whehn the sun shines. Start the gennie when it doesn't t.

It works

Happy Caravanning