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Topic: Hmmm, 1KW of solar for $8K vs a Honda 2000i invertor/generator (Read 2382 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Hmmm, 1KW of solar for $8K vs a Honda 2000i invertor/generator

Reply #50 –
Quote from: Old phart phred –
Chinese clones JMO is you MIGHT only get what you pay for, as any quality control is non existent, along with parts. Bought one during an extended power outage to run the home furnace alone. Ran for about 20 hours and then it was kaput from ignition system failure. But they make money by producing huge quantities of cheap trash.
Sorry slightly of topic. I think solar is good for some areas without shade, clouds, or hail storms. But I am interested in those who have solar arrays experience.
Phred, hard to say on your coach because you are moving all the time, but have 1000 watts on the roof with mppt controller and 2 4d agm 200 ah batteries running a 7 cf freezer through a 2000 psw inverter and have never had to use a charger.
But, I am in south Texas with panels pointed somewhat south. After 2 days without sun am down to about 60% charge.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Hmmm, 1KW of solar for $8K vs a Honda 2000i invertor/generator

Reply #51 –
We have had our 900 w of solar and 3 8D AGM Lifelines for almost 6 yrs and would not change a thing. Allways have enough power and we have res fridge too. Never go below 78% batteries and unless we get stuck in snow and no sun for 2 days never need Gen set.
No issues with us and waste of time just talking about it, just do it as you will not be sorry. Only paid for around 20 nights of full hook up in those years rest boondocking or Hwy. No brainer to us- paid for itself and saved thousands too.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Hmmm, 1KW of solar for $8K vs a Honda 2000i invertor/generator

Reply #52 –
I crossed three oceans and lived full time on my Boat with 270 watts of solar, I did have a wind generator as well,
I never ran out of power,
The PO of my boat lived for 8 years on it on a swing mooring in Fiji, he sold the generator as he never used it,
These 270 Watts are now on my coach, They keep my batterys fully charged, I have no generator, Just the coach motors alternator,
It has a $30-00 30 amp Regulator from China, and a 30 amp in line fuse,
Thats my complete solar set up for the coach,
The new solar set up for my boat when its repaired will be two 250 Watt panels, They are $270-00 a Panel delivered, a 40 amp regulator, about $40-00 and a inline fuse, $5-00 at the most,
I have no need for a generator on either my boat or Coach, As I dont use the A/C units,

But you will need a generator for A/C and your 110 Volt equipment to operate,
I am slowly converting every thing to 12 volts as its cheaper to buy,

Cheers, Brian,
1989 Foretravel Grand Villa, 36 foot ORED, 300 HP Catapillar and Four Speed Allison Auto,
Right Hand drive, two Mid doors, Makes a good flow thru ventilation in hot weather,
Located in Melbourne, Australia,  The Land Down Under,
Honda Blackbird, 1100XX.    2002 Gemini 105 MC Catamaran,

Re: Hmmm, 1KW of solar for $8K vs a Honda 2000i invertor/generator

Reply #53 –
Unfortunately American, are now "hot" at about 75 deg. F. Due  to humidity. And the fact that we drive fully climate controlled cars
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Hmmm, 1KW of solar for $8K vs a Honda 2000i invertor/generator

Reply #54 –
Special Buy Of The Day
FWIW,
Today only Home Depot has a deal on their brand Ryobi 2200 watt generator.  I like the honda better than this one.  This one seems to be a good deal and has pretty good reviews.  I just thought it worth mentioning.  Best of travels.
Best of Travels

Re: Hmmm, 1KW of solar for $8K vs a Honda 2000i invertor/generator

Reply #55 –
For "extreme" backup, instead of carrying a small cheap portable generator, I carry a set of jumper cables and have my car as a genset.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Hmmm, 1KW of solar for $8K vs a Honda 2000i invertor/generator

Reply #56 –
Quote from: drcscruggs –
Special Buy Of The Day
FWIW,
Today only Home Depot has a deal on their brand Ryobi 2200 watt generator.  I like the honda better than this one.  This one seems to be a good deal and has pretty good reviews.  I just thought it worth mentioning.  Best of travels.

I thought about buying this, but I went on amazon to read the reviews. About 50% said they had issues with it (from complete failure, to annoying things). The Honda has nearly 100% 5star review...only complaints are it "costs more" lol.  Saving a few hundred $$$ is of little value when the damn thing won't work. I'm going honda!
1998 U270 34'

Re: Hmmm, 1KW of solar for $8K vs a Honda 2000i invertor/generator

Reply #57 –
Quote from: Tom Lang –
For "extreme" backup, instead of carrying a small cheap portable generator, I carry a set of jumper cables and have my car as a genset.

I had to use your extreme backup system over Thanksgiving when my one of my cats stepped on the boost button after we left (coach was unplugged), and we came home on Sunday night to 10+ V batteries in the snow.  That was an interesting evening.

The boost button had a cover the following day.
James
w/ DW Erin, sons Gideon and Tobias, cats Oscar & Oliver
Fulltime 1999 U270 34' #5508

Re: Hmmm, 1KW of solar for $8K vs a Honda 2000i invertor/generator

Reply #58 –
I can't deny the allure of the solar and the cool factor but small generator to run the battery charger is my method.  You'd have to boondock non-stop for MANY YEARS for the generator gas to overcome the cost of the solar.  And honestly, if I am boondocking close enough to someone that they care about the sound levels of a honda inverter generator, I am doing it wrong.

Re: Hmmm, 1KW of solar for $8K vs a Honda 2000i invertor/generator

Reply #59 –
Read Health effects from noise - Wikipedia
Enlighting.
1997 U270 34FT Build 5140 Cummins 8.3 Allison 3060R
Solar 1920Watts, 14KWH lithium. Orion BMS.

Re: Hmmm, 1KW of solar for $8K vs a Honda 2000i invertor/generator

Reply #60 –
I removed my 55 gal muffler and replaced with a resonator. I put a shelf inside the door in the extra space, and I can put my honda eu2000 on shelf and close the door.  Because it is open on the bottom, plenty of air for the gen., but gen. is actually quieter than one running air conditioner.  Use solar to charge batteries most of the time, but in some places, you have to park under the trees.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Hmmm, 1KW of solar for $8K vs a Honda 2000i invertor/generator

Reply #61 –
Any issue with carbon monoxide being blown up into bedroom? 
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Hmmm, 1KW of solar for $8K vs a Honda 2000i invertor/generator

Reply #62 –
Quote from: George and Steph –
Any issue with carbon monoxide being blown up into bedroom? 
No, only run long enough to charge batteries, in the daytime. Would not run while sleeping.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.
 

Re: Hmmm, 1KW of solar for $8K vs a Honda 2000i invertor/generator

Reply #63 –
I have a Honda that is getting old.  My guess is 10 years but memory is not my best subject.
I used it exactly as you describe on my SOB class A.  95% of my use was boondocking and it worked perfectly.  I charged the batteries with the Honda using a good quality battery charger from a sailboat.  I used the inverter for any 120 volt needs. 

If I wanted AC I had to run the coaches gen set but that was pretty rare.

I was getting at least 12 hours on a gallon of gas.  I only had 2 small 6v coach batteries so it didn't take long to charge them up. 

Most likely will do the same thing once I find my Foretravel.
1999 U320 3600
CAI floorplan
Build #5466
M11 - HD4060R
Name ?..  working on that