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

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

January 16, 2017, 01:35:24 pm

crazy thought - but instead of a $4-10K solar setup - how about a Honda 2000i invertor/generator and a 2 gallon can of gasoline? almost can't hear the thing, and put a lot of amps to your charger to recharge the battery bank. $999 on-line for generator

Maybe carrying a gas can not the most comfortable idea, but probably in my case I could add a rack to the tow hitch on the aft of the coach pretty simply and keep the gas out of the coach

dumb idea? now if you boon-dock a LOT and never plug in, solar is a very nice deal, but people saying 1 KW and up needed seems like you would never get back your $$$ even with a 30% tax credit vs. small super quiet generator

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

Reply #1 – January 16, 2017, 01:40:33 pm

Tim, it's what my dad has done 15 yrs with a 1000w !

I'm looking at the generac 2000w... $800 same dB but way different UI for readings etc... I'm giving this a serious look even with 900 watts on the roof.

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

Reply #2 – January 16, 2017, 01:46:44 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – January 16, 2017, 01:35:24 pm

now if you boon-dock a LOT and never plug in, solar is a very nice deal,

Isn't that the answer, though? You would only need the solar if you planned to boon-dock a lot.

Rough calculations: $10,000 x 70% after tax credit = $7,000 investment
$50/night campground rough cost.
$7,000 / $50 = 140 nights of "boondocking" when you would have been "campgrounding" = returned investment.

You could do it cheaper with a generator. But I think "quiet" is relative term that it seems many people have vastly differing opinions on. It is also more location-restrictive. It also includes setup and breakdown sweat equity, plus similar weather restrictions.

In the end, I think it's really about your personal scenario and what you plan to do with it. If you are going sightseeing all day - it's nice knowing that when you get back you'll have a full battery, in a scenario when leaving the generator on wouldn't have been possible.

(Full disclosure - We are getting ready to drop many CB in a new solar setup)

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

Reply #3 – January 16, 2017, 02:00:01 pm

You can get close to a 1000w for a little over 2k.with an excellent controller. Now if you need/want to replace the rest of the system you are talking 7500-10000 with inverter, lithium or lifelines, panel and solar. If you purchase Solar with those items, then each is part of the credit. 5250 -7000k and 1500 or so for solar alone.

We used Honda 2000s for our Fox until we installed 550w solar with four 6v.. The next two years we used the genset for two days. Don't forget time to charge with the gen set running. Yes we prefer boondocking.

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

Reply #4 – January 16, 2017, 02:18:42 pm

I am getting the Generac unit - will post next month after I try it out - have had good experience with the 2000i, but have a buddy at Generac

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

Reply #5 – January 16, 2017, 02:22:10 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – January 16, 2017, 02:18:42 pm

I am getting the Generac unit - will post next month after I try it out - have had good experience with the 2000i, but have a buddy at Generac

Let us know the Generac's I have seen were loud compared to Honda.

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

Reply #6 – January 16, 2017, 02:24:48 pm

One other quick comment. Hybrid systems aren't as prevalent with drop in panel prices but using the gen set for bulk and turning it off and letting solar economically top it off is also effective. We also used a Black and Decker Smart Charger to go directly to the battery before solar.

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

Reply #7 – January 16, 2017, 02:40:54 pm

Tim,

If you look before you leap, you can have a great solar system for well under $2000 for about 1200 potential watts plus the batteries of your choice for a bit more. Solar panels are now $0.35 to $0.50 per watt and our controller for the 1140 watt potential is only about $500 now. You need house batteries anyway so no big deal to make sure they like discharge cycles. May be able to use the existing bats plus a couple more.

Glad to break down the cost of our components. We use the OEM inverter for a couple of big and small flat screens, latte maker and microwave. Never come close to flattening the bats.

You are still limited in the number of hours you can run a generator of any kind in a lot of campgrounds including the National Parks. Generators usually go rich at altitude and then stink.

Plus I hate even the smallest noise when camping. So do tent campers who may be right next to you in a NP. Same for any vibration and I'm not about to take a generator out of a compartment.

I never even start the generator except to exercise it every few weeks. If camping in warm areas in summer, then we start it but we live in the mountains so not usually necessary. Yellowstone and GT are way up so no AC is ever needed.

Yes, took the tax credit. Years later, its still working without a hitch. Gas generators require more maintenance plus you have to carry gasoline. The efficiency is much less than a diesel generator. No, no, never going to happen here.

Good topic!

Pierce

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

Reply #8 – January 16, 2017, 02:48:57 pm

like I said, different strokes.

I would not do solar as a DIY, so wonder how to get to the numbers you are quoting.

and I don't full time or boondocks that much (NASCAR excepted, but the roar of generators at NASCAR is usually drowned out but the roar of the race cars)

Adding a fourth battery a no brainer as I see it, and 200W on roof for battery maintenance is a piece of mind thing.

Beyond that, in my case, don't see the benefit. Others will. that is what makes the forum a fun place.

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

Reply #9 – January 16, 2017, 02:52:42 pm

At NASCAR the cheap Champion and Harbor Freight generators drown out the cars where we park.

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

Reply #10 – January 16, 2017, 03:13:48 pm

If you ever go solar you would never regret it. I have 854 watts of solar on roof. I use on board Gen for Air conditioning and microwave. I also have a Honda 2000I generator that I use maybe 2 hours a year, That said last year when my Transfer switch failed the Honda was a lifesaver. I have boon docked for 24 days straight with very little fuel use. The feedback on the Generac 2000 is very good with noise level about or a little lower than the Honda. You just have to decide what works best for you.
Bill

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

Reply #11 – January 16, 2017, 03:19:51 pm

@ Tim. I am confused now. You already have a Diesel generator in your FT U320 right, so in addition to that you are thinking about carrying a portable gas Generator?

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

Reply #12 – January 16, 2017, 03:46:43 pm

Tim,
Can you setup the generator to burn propane instead of carrying a gas can?
John M

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

Reply #13 – January 16, 2017, 04:47:12 pm

I just used my onboard generator. Worked great.

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

Reply #14 – January 16, 2017, 05:09:10 pm

I have a Honda generator. Carried a 2000i for many years now have a 3000i. I also have solar, only 450 watts or so but then I only have two 8Ds and the system works quite well. Would not be without the Honda would not be without the solar. The on board diesel generator is loud and is always running at full output. We have and still camp in the woods not much sun there. Can't run the microwave or the convection oven on solar and we use both. This is our house we are not energy misers. We use everything sometimes mostly solar, sometimes mostly the Honda sometimes the big Beast in the front end. All depends where we are and what we are doing. We also boondock most of the time as I do not like claustrophobic campgrounds nor do I like paying to use my own stuff but I do like my conveniences. DWMYH.

Roland

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

Reply #15 – January 16, 2017, 05:17:30 pm

I bought a cheap Harbor Freight 2 cycle, generator it puts out about 800 peak watts. Less than $80 on sale. Its very small, so is the 1/2 gallon gas can mixed with oil to power it.
I bought it for EXTREME back-up.
If the batteries in the coach or car fail I can power up the generator and hook it to the battery charger to charge the dead batteries. I can also easily bring power with me to a remote location. It IS LOUD!
I'm interested in Tim's solution. Might make sense especially when camping in forested area like MOST of the country were shade hinders solar. When we visit a campground we ALWAYS migrate to a shaded area , the more trees the better. The campsites that are in the wide open are always the last ones people pick to camp at. I would not want to have to pick the least desirable spots simply because I have to power my solar panels.
Maybe a balance is whats required, Some solar, and the super quite generator for those other situations were solar won't work or can't be trusted for power. A propane generator would be perfect.

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

Reply #16 – January 16, 2017, 05:30:31 pm

Quote from: Lon and Cheryl – January 16, 2017, 05:17:30 pm

I bought a cheap Harbor Freight 2 cycle, generator it puts out about 800 peak watts. Less than $80 on sale. Its very small, so is the 1/2 gallon gas can mixed with oil to power it.
I bought it for EXTREME back-up.
If the batteries in the coach or car fail I can power up the generator and hook it to the battery charger to charge the dead batteries. I can also easily bring power with me to a remote location. It IS LOUD!

I carry the same HF generator for the same reason...extreme backup. Haven't had to use it yet but it's a small, cheap insurance policy for extended dry camping, which I don't do often enough to justify solar.

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

Reply #17 – January 16, 2017, 05:47:43 pm

Backup to solar and diesel gen. EARTHQUAKE - Groundbreaking Power Equipment - 800 Watt Inverter Generator
Use it with a 40 amp battery charger. Never had to use it on the coach, but have lent it to several people with no solar and bad generators. Very quiet [about same as honda eu2000], is inverter [variable speed] a 4 stroke, and runs about 12 hours on a gallon of gas. Weights about 20 lb.

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

Reply #18 – January 16, 2017, 06:22:24 pm

Quote from: John Morales – January 16, 2017, 03:46:43 pm

Tim,
Can you setup the generator to burn propane instead of carrying a gas can?
John M

I know a guy on here that does that. Got a kit for his eu2000i. If you are just charging batteries, maybe the smaller 1k one might be even easier to handle.

Yamaha makes one too. And even harbor freight just came out with a new inverter generator recently (2nd generation) that uses copy yamaha engine I think.

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

Reply #19 – January 16, 2017, 06:58:00 pm

Call me paranoid but I have gone through times of cold weather,
low batteries that did not want to start the main generator, much
less the coach engine. After several near misses and fortunately
someone was always around with a battery and jumper cables,
I bought a small generator and have carried it for years. The box
can no longer be read, but I get it out every time the we go from
Daylight to Standard time and crank it. Maybe it is time for me
to roar into the 21st Century and look at solar, but for now I have
my little generator, like Linus has his blanket.

Carter-

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

Reply #20 – January 16, 2017, 07:10:37 pm

We were desert dirt riders and tailgaters jet skiing so a generator was a nice addition if you wanted hot food after a day or riding.

Bought a Honda 1000. Not enough power to run a high power microwave. Bought a 2000 Honda. Nice machine.

Sort of preppers and the Honda rep in the Bay Area had a Honda companion i2000 gen demo he had never started so I bought that one from him.

Got the cabling to tie them together electrically so the auto throttles work at the same time.

Then bought gas caps to be able to feed both gens off of a bigger fuel supply.

Then bought a six gallon tank to feed both machines. And the fuel lines.

And covers for all three.

Used to carry one 2000 and one 1000 but never needed them. Knock wood.

Need to wire a sub panel in our house to use the 3200 watt dual i2000 setup in case of need.

Maybe not a good thing to have a lit up powered house in a long term emergency when others do not have power.

Twilight zone time?

My luck the building will collapse and destroy the gens.

Motorhome would be a better power source with 80amps output. Seen it posted about.

Sorry for the hijack.

In a dead quiet area even the i1000 Honda is noticeable running.

Need a sound box for it?

Forgotten I have bought the high altitude jets for these and spare plugs