|
|
10-30-2019, 02:40 PM
|
#29
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 1969
Posts: 2,654
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hit_the_Rhod
And what more appropriate time of the year to go boodocking than the present!
I appreciate the info on solar. Currently have a coach, and in the market for a trawler, so anything on solar and lithium is of interest to me!
|
It is always nice somewhere sometime.
Last year I had a beautiful fall in the PNW this year, Oregon coast, and northern California. This year I came south a month earlier. This year it is in the teens where my boat is.
Parked at my son's and plugged in. In Las Vegas there is a freeze warning.
Last year on the beach near Galveston it was beautiful 50% of the time.
I think boating and full time in a MH is a great combination. I do not think solar is complimentary. The idea is to burn diesel fuel to be someplace you like. In my case that results in not needing to run my generators much. If I need to run it more than an hour a day, solar would not help because the weather is bad.
__________________
Kit & Rita (in memory)
37 foot ‘98 HolidayRambler Endeavor diesel pusher
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
10-30-2019, 02:53 PM
|
#30
|
Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,529
|
Following-
__________________
2008 Winnebago Sightseer 35-J
|
|
|
10-30-2019, 05:06 PM
|
#31
|
Registered User
Newmar Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner Freightliner Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Rosemary Farm, Northern Ca
Posts: 5,444
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by followingsea
It is always nice somewhere sometime.
Last year I had a beautiful fall in the PNW this year, Oregon coast, and northern California. This year I came south a month earlier. This year it is in the teens where my boat is.
Parked at my son's and plugged in. In Las Vegas there is a freeze warning.
Last year on the beach near Galveston it was beautiful 50% of the time.
I think boating and full time in a MH is a great combination. I do not think solar is complimentary. The idea is to burn diesel fuel to be someplace you like. In my case that results in not needing to run my generators much. If I need to run it more than an hour a day, solar would not help because the weather is bad.
|
Well if the weather was bad you probably wouldn't be running AC and your house battery bank, if it is healthy and sufficient at all, would carry the load ( ). My solar is sufficient to run my AC and in hot weather that is a real benefit, even if just grocery shopping. The coach is cool when we return, and all that without running a genny. I have 1575w of solar which really means around 1200 in direct sun, which is also almost exactly what my AC burns. Add the fairly significant lithium battery bank and I can keep running my AC until late into the night.
So if you are willing to invest (Im at nearly $6000 for the whole installation) and able to do the work yourself (other wise you’d spend too much and likely not get exactly what you are looking for), its quite rewarding and worthwhile. I get a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction out of my system and it adds a level of convenience not otherwise possible, regardless of where I find myself.
So in my case solar is entirely complementary as I believe it is for many RV’rs and boaters. Personal preference obviously, but my RV experience is greatly enhanced by my power options, cool aid notwithstanding....
|
|
|
11-01-2019, 12:29 PM
|
#32
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 1969
Posts: 2,654
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by R.Wold
So in my case solar is entirely complementary as I believe it is for many RV’rs and boaters. Personal preference obviously, but my RV experience is greatly enhanced by my power options, cool aid notwithstanding....
|
How do you measure 'greatly enhanced'? $6000 is clearly something that can be measured.
As a young family man in the navy I have great memories of camping in a 16' TT. Same with my first sailboat which was 14'.
The basic reason for a bigger RV and MH was being able to live aboard.
Being able to close the door on the can 'greatly enhances' the experience for my wife but if it was just me I would not care.
I did not have the bigger sailboat very long when it turns out my wife worked with someone who had a boat and we had worked together before than plant closed. So the wives decided to get together for a dinner out to see if we would like to SF Bay tougher.
A bottle of wine enhances winner dinner and with four people a second bottle is not a case of diminishing returns. The fourth bottle this jerk ordered without checking with those splitting the bill at a $100 did not enhance anything. Of course what he thought was a funny story, is not something I would tell in mixed company.
On the way home, when my wife said she did not want to go sailing with him and got no argument from me.
When the lack of job opportunities forced us to leave California, we made a choice to simplify our lifestyle and live on one income. Things like taking the boy scout troop sailing and camping were in the budget.
After my late wife was hospitalized when working in China, we became regulars at the $400/night Conrad in Hong Kong. It was time to stop saving for retirement and start focusing life enhancement.
Expensive hotels are great but nothing compared to taking the granddaughter camping.
Think about it. Enjoying a $2.96 red wine enhances just as much as $20 bottle. It is a choice you make.
If lithium batteries and solar panels 'greatly enhances' your life, then you may want to evaluate your choices to figure out what you are missing.
Of could my advice is not for those who already spent $6000. Air condition was medical necessity for DW for the last 20 years of her life. If I had suggested $6k on solar, she would have suggested a hotel suite.
One of things I like about a MH is I could keep the temperature where she liked it. Also not cat box in a spare bedroom when visiting family.
__________________
Kit & Rita (in memory)
37 foot ‘98 HolidayRambler Endeavor diesel pusher
|
|
|
11-01-2019, 12:44 PM
|
#33
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 1
|
Looking for info on using my coach generator 4000 watt Onan to power house during power shutdowns like we just had. Instead of running extension cords thru house, like we just did, to being able to plug generator into a receptacal. I know could not cover entire house but could run enough to be comfortable, refridgerator, tv and a few lights
|
|
|
11-01-2019, 01:26 PM
|
#34
|
Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 1,289
|
__________________
1988 PACE ARROW
P30, 454 ENG, TURBO 400 TRANS
TOWING '80 WING OR 2006 AVALON
|
|
|
11-01-2019, 01:43 PM
|
#35
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 1969
Posts: 2,654
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SK Bob
Looking for info on using my coach generator 4000 watt Onan to power house during power shutdowns like we just had. Instead of running extension cords thru house, like we just did, to being able to plug generator into a receptacal. I know could not cover entire house but could run enough to be comfortable, refridgerator, tv and a few lights
|
I would advise against, too many things can go wrong, stick with the extension cord and make sure you have a working Carbon monoxide detector in your house.
There are ways to do it but it is expensive and a qualified person should do.
I have some scary stores from the navy of things that go wrong if you want to hear them.
__________________
Kit & Rita (in memory)
37 foot ‘98 HolidayRambler Endeavor diesel pusher
|
|
|
11-01-2019, 04:52 PM
|
#36
|
Registered User
Newmar Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner Freightliner Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Rosemary Farm, Northern Ca
Posts: 5,444
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SK Bob
Looking for info on using my coach generator 4000 watt Onan to power house during power shutdowns like we just had. Instead of running extension cords thru house, like we just did, to being able to plug generator into a receptacal. I know could not cover entire house but could run enough to be comfortable, refridgerator, tv and a few lights
|
Easy enough (and free) to heat up one bus bar with your genny by feeding it to a 30 amp breaker and shutting off your main. If you want specifics just pm me so we dont get into a moral, ethical, proper, etc debate here.
A little more involved is you want to heat up both with 110v and not run your 220v stuff, but doable with a relay.
Probably want to find a friend with some enhanced (hmm theres that word again) elec experience if you are going to try to heat up both.
But it should be good enough to just do one and maybe swap some breakers around so the essential stuff is all on the same bus. There is really very little to it is safe as opposed using extension cords which is questionable at best.
|
|
|
11-01-2019, 06:13 PM
|
#37
|
Registered User
Newmar Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner Freightliner Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Rosemary Farm, Northern Ca
Posts: 5,444
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by followingsea
How do you measure 'greatly enhanced'? $6000 is clearly something that can be measured.
As a young family man in the navy I have great memories of camping in a 16' TT. Same with my first sailboat which was 14'.
The basic reason for a bigger RV and MH was being able to live aboard.
Being able to close the door on the can 'greatly enhances' the experience for my wife but if it was just me I would not care.
I did not have the bigger sailboat very long when it turns out my wife worked with someone who had a boat and we had worked together before than plant closed. So the wives decided to get together for a dinner out to see if we would like to SF Bay tougher.
A bottle of wine enhances winner dinner and with four people a second bottle is not a case of diminishing returns. The fourth bottle this jerk ordered without checking with those splitting the bill at a $100 did not enhance anything. Of course what he thought was a funny story, is not something I would tell in mixed company.
On the way home, when my wife said she did not want to go sailing with him and got no argument from me.
When the lack of job opportunities forced us to leave California, we made a choice to simplify our lifestyle and live on one income. Things like taking the boy scout troop sailing and camping were in the budget.
After my late wife was hospitalized when working in China, we became regulars at the $400/night Conrad in Hong Kong. It was time to stop saving for retirement and start focusing life enhancement.
Expensive hotels are great but nothing compared to taking the granddaughter camping.
Think about it. Enjoying a $2.96 red wine enhances just as much as $20 bottle. It is a choice you make.
If lithium batteries and solar panels 'greatly enhances' your life, then you may want to evaluate your choices to figure out what you are missing.
Of could my advice is not for those who already spent $6000. Air condition was medical necessity for DW for the last 20 years of her life. If I had suggested $6k on solar, she would have suggested a hotel suite.
One of things I like about a MH is I could keep the temperature where she liked it. Also not cat box in a spare bedroom when visiting family.
|
Well let’s see. There is a lot here so Ill take it in stages. First my condolences, and while not much scares me, being hospitalized in a foreign country sounds terrible. Im glad you were able to find some comfort in a decent hotel.
As for your other observations, salient and otherwise, the following (see?):
1. Im fairly certain I cant convince you, I don't want or need or care to, and I wont try, but I might be able to explain it. First I don't recall saying solar on my RV “greatly enhances my life”. It does however enhance my RV experience. Simply put, I can run anything, including AC, any time, anywhere, without being plugged in (read boon docking etc - the list is long) and without running that damn noisy smelly generator. From my experience, lots of people love running their generators. I am not among them. Hence my “enhanced” experience with quiet, clean, dependable power on demand. And of course the satisfaction of tinkering with a unique, well planned and engineered, efficient system. Its fun. I don't need to measure it, but by way of an attempt at quantifying, Im removing my generator and using that space to store other stuff that also enhances the RV experience.
2. Sailing. Oh, sailing. One of the greatest, most enhancing experiences ever. I could discuss it for hours, days, weeks even. But not here. Suffice it to say that I whole heartedly agree: one mustn’t sail with those with whom one is not compatible. Not only is this practice not fun, it isn't efficient and can even be unsafe. So we agree on something.
3. Geographically and environmentally California has more to offer than most states. Politically its a near disaster. So yes, it takes a lot of extra resources and effort to live here comfortably. Its possible but fraught with a whole lotta compromises. So we probably agree on that too.
4. Wine. Well a matter of taste, entirely. However its costs a hobby producer (less than 100 cases a year) around $6/bottle to produce. A small producer (less than 5000 cases/year probably around a dollar less. Im not familiar with the economics of larger producers, but suffice it to say I would consider it unwise to ingest wine made commercially available at $2.98/bottle, not to mention palatability. But then as I say, a matter of taste.
5. Cat boxes. While a little off topic here, I feel compelled to state that once again, we are in agreement. I wouldn't sit in the same room with one.
I don't guess I have satisfactorily covered all the bases here, but I am growing weary of the effort. Yes I spent around $6000 on my panels, inverter, controllers, lithium batteries, and ancillary equipment. Ive had this system on two coaches now and it will move with me to my next. Also I think it worthy of note that one could build an equally productive system for around half the cost of mine, by utilizing conventional batteries and purchasing less expensive panels and other equipment. Since it’s a small system I bought top quality panels and since its mobile I bought marine compatible equipment.
I feel this was cost effective enough given its portability and the enjoyment it provides. Some folks would agree. Others wouldn't. My grandsons don't care - they just want to go camping. My wife does, and appreciates it. If my dogs could vote, they’d probably be in my camp too. Im having trouble imagining anyone else's opinion that matters.
So if you see little or no value in solar for RVs, thats great. I’m comfortable with that. But then I don't criticize or ridicule others for doing things differently. I celebrate it.
Happy sailing....
|
|
|
11-01-2019, 07:44 PM
|
#38
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 996
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by R.Wold
One could write volumes on the stupidity of California policy.....
|
They legislated themselves back to a 3rd world state...
__________________
|
|
|
11-01-2019, 10:37 PM
|
#39
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 2,969
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by R.Wold
...but my RV experience is greatly enhanced by my power options, ...
|
I took this sentence and use of the word "enhanced" to simply mean your ability to boondock longer was enhanced by having more solar and battery capacity. Like less need to purchase and burn fuel to power your activities while off the grid. Was I mistaken? Seemed pretty straightforward when I read it.
What's misspelled Kool-aid have to do with it though? I KNOW I'm missing something there.
Oddly wandering thread. But definitely interesting and more than a little informative.
|
|
|
11-02-2019, 03:41 AM
|
#40
|
Registered User
Newmar Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner Freightliner Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Rosemary Farm, Northern Ca
Posts: 5,444
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by GypsyR
I took this sentence and use of the word "enhanced" to simply mean your ability to boondock longer was enhanced by having more solar and battery capacity. Like less need to purchase and burn fuel to power your activities while off the grid. Was I mistaken? Seemed pretty straightforward when I read it.
What's misspelled Kool-aid have to do with it though? I KNOW I'm missing something there.
Oddly wandering thread. But definitely interesting and more than a little informative.
|
Yeah thats about it Gypsy. Nice to have all the power I want, anytime and anywhere I want it. I didn't imagine it a terribly complex concept either.
My best guess is that “cool aid” (sic) is in reference to my misguided notion that solar power has some redeeming quality, combined with my willingness to remain in California in-spite of the not-always user friendly economy here; it would seem this has ripped off a figurative scab of sorts....
“Oddly wandering” is an understatement suitable for the British, and spot-on! as they say. I only allow myself to get dragged into these things to keep my thumbs in practice.
|
|
|
11-02-2019, 04:00 AM
|
#41
|
Registered User
Newmar Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner Freightliner Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Rosemary Farm, Northern Ca
Posts: 5,444
|
Hey Gypsy. Since we are wandering here anyway, I just spent some time in York County during my Fall wanderings. Is that considered Upstate? This was after a visit to Palmetto Bluffs near Bluffton, the Southern most point on my six week, 30 state journey visiting family all across the nation (and back). Enjoyed SC immensely and its the one state where I never wore socks! Hows that for off topic?
|
|
|
11-02-2019, 10:40 AM
|
#42
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 2,969
|
York is indeed "upstate" off to the east of me as we are more on the edge of what they call the foothills. There are worse places, three states I have lived in jump to mind, none of which are CA. Not naming any as surely a few scabs would be ripped off.
I've followed various implementations of solar power this and that over the years but never jumped. Something I've always been interested in. As much as I like the idea "free" power from the sun the cost of the panels, batteries, and sundry equipment have always outweighed the benefit for me. Plus the attrition of the equipment is a big downer.
This you are obviously very aware of or you wouldn't be recycling batteries out of old cars.
But any time I hear about something new, my ears perk up. People in Australia are "printing" out cells that are cheap. Seems like once a month somebody is after making a new battery that will be dirt cheap and better than lithium. Stuff like that keeps popping up, sooner or later someone is going to come out with something viable and push me over the edge and I'm going to do solar something. I hope.
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|