Payback guesstiment anyone?

okmunky · 03-20-2011, 06:57 PM

Any math genius ever tried to figure out how many saved gallons of generator gas it would take to pay off each $1,000 spent on solar panels on a mh? With gas prices up and generators so noisy, I am seriously considering solar now even if I have to borrow the money.

UFO Pilot · 03-20-2011, 07:08 PM

My 5.5 generator burns about 1 gallon per hour. If my math is correct, and gas at $4, I can run the generator about 250 hours for about $1000.

wildtoad · 03-20-2011, 07:15 PM

So if you move to solar are you really going to shed the gen? Think about where you normally park and is there sufficient daylight to charge the batteries.

okmunky · 03-20-2011, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wthomas1

My 5.5 generator burns about 1 gallon per hour. If my math is correct, and gas at $4, I can run the generator about 250 hours for about $1000.

So how many months of solar use will it take to replace 300 generator hours? Mine is a 4kw gen so I adjusted your number. I plan to full-time soon so if I could save 3 hours of gen time per day using solar, it will only take 200 days to pay off a $2000 solar system?

I'm a newbie so I have NO idea how many hours a day my gen will run.

okmunky · 03-20-2011, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildtoad

So if you move to solar are you really going to shed the gen? Think about where you normally park and is there sufficient daylight to charge the batteries.

Oh no, just wanna save $ and noise.

UFO Pilot · 03-20-2011, 10:49 PM

You have to have battery capacity to store the solar energy so that adds to the cost. I don't dry camp often but when I do, I run the generator about 4 hours a day. I have a 130 watt solar panel, 300 amp hours of battery, and a 2000 watt inverter. The combination of generator use and solar works for my use, but may not work for you.

okmunky · 03-21-2011, 12:48 AM

It looks like adding solar may not be a diy project for me. I'm in the Oklahoma City area until early May and then headed to Rockport, TX for a week. After that I am planning to go east to Florida. Are there any competent rv solar dealers down south? Houston area, maybe? I'd like to get solar asap. Gas prices are just too unpredictable.

ralper · 03-21-2011, 03:45 PM

Using solar instead of a generator makes you a premium neighbor.
With a good solar system a generator is only needed for A/C.
See my post under boondocking "Solar That Really Works."
Learn how a proper solar system should be installed and settle for NO LESS. No there are very few solar experts.
Get a battery meter to see what is going on with the batteries. It measures power in and power out and power left in the batteries. Every RV should have one.

I do not know about the cost of a generator and gas but if you compare the cast of boondocking over CG's solar pays for itself in one year.

94-Newmar · 03-21-2011, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wthomas1

My 5.5 generator burns about 1 gallon per hour. If my math is correct, and gas at $4, I can run the generator about 250 hours for about $1000.

Wow, a gal an hour? Must be gasoline. My Onan 7.5 diesel is 0.21 gal/hr no load, 0.40/gal/hr 1/2 load and 0.70/hr full load. Even with both A/C's running (which I metered at 12 amp each) Im only at 3000 watts, or about 50% of my genset capacity.

UFO Pilot · 03-21-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94-Newmar

Wow, a gal an hour? Must be gasoline. My Onan 7.5 diesel is 0.21 gal/hr no load, 0.40/gal/hr 1/2 load and 0.70/hr full load. Even with both A/C's running (which I metered at 12 amp each) Im only at 3000 watts, or about 50% of my genset capacity.

That's what I get for not proofreading better. I meant 1/4 gallon per hour or 1 gallon for 4 hours.

Campingman · 03-21-2011, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wthomas1

That's what I get for not proofreading better. I meant 1/4 gallon per hour or 1 gallon for 4 hours.

You had me scratching my head and counting on my fingers, It just didn't add up to me. I have a couple of 10k gensets I use when the power goes out at the store that don't use a gallon an hour.

GreaseMonkey · 03-22-2011, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okmunky

It looks like adding solar may not be a diy project for me. I'm in the Oklahoma City area until early May and then headed to Rockport, TX for a week. After that I am planning to go east to Florida. Are there any competent rv solar dealers down south? Houston area, maybe? I'd like to get solar asap. Gas prices are just too unpredictable.

Sunelectric in Miami Florida has great prices on solar equipment. I'll be there this week getting some.

I trust myself for all installs and can't offer assistance on an installer down here but look for a post or blog by wheelingit. They had someone in south Florida install their system "properly".

Ray,IN · 03-26-2011, 08:00 PM

Read ralphers advice closely. It may save you expensive headaches in the future, plus_ you know what to look for and expect if you contract a company installation.

bukzin · 04-04-2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralper

Using solar instead of a generator makes you a premium neighbor.
With a good solar system a generator is only needed for A/C.
See my post under boondocking "Solar That Really Works."
Learn how a proper solar system should be installed and settle for NO LESS. No there are very few solar experts.
Get a battery meter to see what is going on with the batteries. It measures power in and power out and power left in the batteries. Every RV should have one.

I do not know about the cost of a generator and gas but if you compare the cast of boondocking over CG's solar pays for itself in one year.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Which battery meters do you like?

What (and where) should I look for in a good one?

Thanks!