Solar generator confusion - RV-Dreams Community Forum

sologal · RV-Dreams Family Member

Solar generator confusion

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Better off setting up panels on your roof , a solar generator is just a duplication of systems most RVs already have with the addition of solar panels.....

jimindenver · RV-Dreams Family Member

Even if the inverter in the solar generator was big enough to run a microwave, the battery isn't. I don't know what this unit cost but if it's in line with other solar generators , you would be a lot closer to running a microwave if you spent the money on larger panel/s, a controller, inverter and extra battery for your rig.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree .......

Just in cost....if you compare what it costs to by a solar generator all ready to go...and then add up what it costs to have the same wattage purchased in parts...you would find you are not getting a good deal at all.

I gather from reading your post that microwave cooking and basic living/lighting is your goal......using solar to do that is going to take 2 batteries @ a minimum and a decent array of panels to recoup the charge on a good day.......a microwave draws between 900 watts @ 1400 watts all by itself during operation and is "ghosting power if the inverter is on because you just have to see the clock and the capacitor for the Magtube(the thing that cooks your food) is on a bleeder circuit that as long as it is plugged in will discharge power.

to be cost effective using solar( IMHO....) a generator is a must so there is a back-up plan to recharge batteries and add power when needed...(in Am when the coffee, blow-dryer,microwave seem to be in use) and in the eve......this way the run time to charge the batteries to there peak and onboard high usage can co-inside at the same time.

back to question.....

solar generator if it is a portable system /store bought is an extreme waste of money.....(IMHO) save your money and buy a calculated use installed system

DebbieM · RV-Dreams Family Member

This might not be exactly the info you're looking for, but the Wynns have a nice video on what they use for solar and how much amps different appliances draw. http://www.gonewiththewynns.com/boondocking-video

sologal · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for all the info, I looked into the pricing of the solar generators and you are ALL correct- the price is crazy for what they give. I think a solar charger for the batteries would be a better option. It may not do the microwave but I saw Mikes inner tube cooker so what am I worried about-lol. I am probably more of a camper than an rver as I can easily go for weeks with no power but I still want to add what I will eventually want so I am just searching out different options. So from what I have learnt already - No solar gen-waste of money . I agree. Thanks....Deb

French Bikers · RV-Dreams Family Member

This might help you understand electric power. If you want to know whatever appliance you want to run.

Here is the way to calculate energy, knowing the total capacity of amps hour your Battery will give you. Be aware that all appliance like microwave, keetle, iron, toaster, etc needs a lot of power because the heat they need to provide. Therefore if you use a hair dryer 1000 watts and the microwave at the same time the breaker will tilt off if the inverter is too low in amps capacity. In this case as an example the inverter needs to be way over 1250 watts.

Amp = Watt / Volts

Ex: 4 amp = 48 watts / 12volts

Watt = Ampère x Volts

Ex: 48 watts = 4 amp X 12 volts

Hope this will help you understand the basic of electricity.

jimindenver · RV-Dreams Family Member

Solar does not have to be expensive. My 230w portable system was cobbled together off of craigslist and ebay for $200. Were I too order the parts new $400.

Solarblvd.com has folding kits right now. 160w for $249, 120w for $195 and 100w kits for $169. That's cheaper than what I can order the parts piece by piece. I can do a 100w for $200 which is the same as I can find a 100w kit on ebay

Now can a 160w or even my 230w set ups run a micro, no. However mt 230w set up can pull down 200 ah on a good day and that will keep up to a 400 ah battery bank charged. You can put a inverter on a 400 ah bank and run a microwave, just not forever.

sologal · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for adding to the info Jim and Bikers. I am slowly getting the hang of this watts and have even been checking on surges [who knew]. I see it would be wayyyy cheaper to buy the individual panels and set up that way as opposed to buying an over expensive all in one unit. so if I have 2 house batteries[12v] would I need 2 100w panels? I mostly want to charge them for lights right now and will probably go with an inverter later for other stuff. I just am trying to not use the gas generator as I would need a microwave for only minutes a day so the inverter would be good for that and I could use the gas if I had to charge in a hurry [well quicker than solar]. I eventually want to have a decent solar set up so I am covered during emergency [gas shortage etc.] situations. Thanks...deb

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Two batteries might not be enough to handle a full-sized microwave through an inverter. Can you deal with a smaller one, maybe 700 watts at the outlet (400 to 500 watt microwave)? When you run a high watt load like a microwave, ours pulls 13 amps of 120volt, through an inverter the load drops the battery voltage way down. With two batteries you would likely drop under 11 volts and the inverter would cut out since they do that somewhere under 11 volts. Three batteries should work, that is what Winnebago puts in.

On the number of panels, the normal rule of thumb is 1 panel per battery, so you are matching that with your plan.

jimindenver · RV-Dreams Family Member

What about running the microwave at a lower level?

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

jimindenver wrote:
What about running the microwave at a lower level?

You would have to hook up a Kill-A-Watt ($17-20 or so from Amazon, more at Home Depot) to the microwave and see if it really uses less power or just runs full power in spurts.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

if you run a microwave at 50% power you are only saving 12% on the actual load.....in the short term of things you save nothing as far as your batteries go.....because you have to increase the cook time if you shorten the power level.....so if your cooktime was normally say 10 min and you lower the power level to 50% it will take 15 minutes to do the same job.......................

sologal · RV-Dreams Family Member

You know it's so funny that I lived without a microwave most of my life but it is the one thing I want to keep in the rv. I have 3 batteries now but do intend to have 4 soon [when I get the inverter]. I will get a lower watt one if they still sell ones below the 1100w. I use it quite a bit while hooked up but I don't get serviced sites that often so I really want to be able to use it on occasion but the oven works fine it just takes longer. One panel per battery. good to know. Thanks guys.....Deb

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

bjoyce wrote:
jimindenver wrote:
What about running the microwave at a lower level?
You would have to hook up a Kill-A-Watt ($17-20 or so from Amazon, more at Home Depot) to the microwave and see if it really uses less power or just runs full power in spurts.

Every microwave we've ever had runs full power in short cycles when you run it at a lower level. When it does so it would be drawing the same amperage as if at full power.

I'm enjoying this discussion. We dipped our toes into the boondocking waters this year and really liked it! There is SO much to learn and consider though...

sologal · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm with you Ron & Joan, So much to learn. I have not had any problems thus far in my camping life [even long terms] but now with so much solar options I think it is a fantastic addition to the rv life.....Deb