Solar Powered Generators

[Texan72]

Has anyone had any experience with solar powered generators for their 5th wheel or trailer ? If so are the worth the investment over gas powered ? Want to use for occasional short term boon docking.

[pianotuna]

Tiger4x4RV,

Just buy an LI battery to replace the heavy battery in the current back up unit. Far cheaper than the Kodiak.

[Tiger4x4RV]

Further thoughts on this issue: I was researching the lighter-weight lithium versions to replace my current heavy backup portable power unit. For home, this unit helps out during power failures. For travel, it is backup power for the CPAP and a jump starter for the truck if needed; I usually travel alone exploring the back country and it would be rather stupid to go without backup power.

Yes, solar "generators" are pricey. However, the lithium Kodiak at 20 pounds has WAY more power than my current lead-acid Duracell unit. My aging back does not like me to haul heavier stuff around and the weight factor is attractive. So is the plug-and-play. The Inergy Kodiak recharges quickly with AC or 12V from a vehicle or from solar. I would probably never use solar with it.

One YouTube review of the Kodiak shows an RV plugged into its 30amp socket and the reviewer using equipment within the RV with the Kodiak as the power source. Nice! Other brands don't seem to have that socket, but you might be able to use an adapter.

I'm not saying I'll buy one, but it is good to know what options are out there.

[Almot]

It's just a small solar panel with charger/controller and battery. I've seen some ridiculously priced $1,000 with 100W solar and battery looking like 80-100AH. That panel costs $120, a good charger $40, total $160 with jumper cables. Merely 6 times cheaper than their gizmo :).

If you want some small easy solar and don't know how, or afraid to drill holes in plywood roof - buy portable solar kit at Solar Blvd or "solar suitcase" from Renogy, either one will be 100W or slightly more, and will cost under $400.

Kits with 20-25W panels are "maintainers", for keeping rig or truck in storage. You can't boondock with that.
100W panel "might" generate enough to keep battery from discharging too low over weekend, not on all days and not for every energy appetite, but possible.
With some care, 300W solar in Tx should be enough without getting involved with gasoline generators. As long as you don't need air-con.

[theoldwizard1]

I don't think you would get enough power to be worth the cost and hassle.

Small generator (Honda, Yamaha, Champion. HF???) or spend the money and get a DC-DC boost converter and a DC-DC battery charger (a.k.a. solar charge controller) so that can PROPERLY charge your house batteries off of your vehicle alternator.

[Texan72]

Thanks for the feedback everyone !!!!!

[tinner12002]

Purchase a 2000 watt Honda or another brand of choice and make that your charge station. If you sit it in the sun when using it then you could call it a solar generator I guess! Just kiddin, but in all reality, unless you plan on a decent sized solar system then from my understanding your better off with a gen. I have an onboard gen but I also have a Honda that I used from my last RV and use it still just to keep the batteries charged and to run coffee maker and stuff as it gets better mileage than my 5500 Onan!

[pianotuna]

Good for you for checking here before wasting money on a so called "solar generator".

This series of articles may help you out: https://freecampsites.net/adding-solar/

[centerline]

Texan72 wrote:
Has anyone had any experience with solar powered generators for their 5th wheel or trailer ? If so are the worth the investment over gas powered ? Want to use for occasional short term boon docking.

solar panels vs genset for short term boondocking, get a genset... solar is great if you go big enough, but it isnt worth the cost for short stays once in a while...

[time2roll]

Solar panels ---> Controller ---> RV Battery ---> Inverter ---> 120vac
And your 12v items just run direct off the RV battery.
Don't waste your money on some package with poor features and a high price.

> Members Solar Installations With Pics

(thanks to the changes at photobucket many photos are missing as the links to a forum are no longer allowed)

[KD4UPL]

Solar Generator is just marketing for "very small solar system in a box sold for a lot of money." The battery or batteries on your RV are already larger. Just add a nice 200 - 300 watt panel on your roof, a charge controller, and maybe an inverter if you want. You'll have a better system for the same or less money.

[Lwiddis]

X2, gbopp. Buy panels, a controller and batteries. Texan, read articles on solar RV.

[kerrlakeRoo]

For the cost of one of the smaller ones of these, lets say $500 you could buy a complete 200 watt solar system such as the kit from
www.solarblvd.com and buy a off brand 700 - 1000 watt generator from HF or home depot for the days the sun doesnt shine.

[gbopp]

I wouldn't waste my money on a 'solar generator', Just buy solar panels, a battery bank, etc.. It will be cheaper and you will have a better system.
Solar generators are marketing hype.

Or, buy a portable inverter generator. They generate power in the dark and are fairly quiet.

[GordonThree]

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
From what I have read, its a box containing a small charge controller, a battery, and an inverter, paired with a solar panel. They are usually small having no more than 40-50 amphrs of 12 volt power available. And maybe a 25-50 watt solar panel for recharging.
Probably pk for charging a laptop or cellphone, but not going to run much for very long in a 5er.

X2

More of a tool for folks with very limited space.

It doesn't generate anything.