Is the MH generator going away and solar coming into dominance...

[JMynes]

Get back to us after a week of clouds and rain.

[325BH]

I think the folks praising solar replacement and EV RVs simply don’t know how to do the math. Many persons have tried to explain the hurdles, however some refuse to listen.

It isn’t that the naysayers are against it, there ate simply legitimate problems that must be solved. And in some of these cases, the problems are huge. There is no magic bullet here, it is simply electrons in and electrons out.

There is a reason some technologies haven’t changed in a long time. They work!

[TripleEEE]

Originally Posted by Bad Bolt

I think the writing is now clearly on the wall for the standard LPG,gas, and diesel generator powered MH's...

Originally Posted by TripleEEE

You still need an engine to supplement the solar charging, no matter how you look at it, whether that is a generator, or a vehicle's engine powering the alternator to charge the batteries.

Just because the battery tech is lithium, doesn't make it magic........

Originally Posted by Bad Bolt

As stated in the video link, the Travato units are setup with a much larger alternator and smarts to keep the batteries charged. It looks to be a great replacement for a much noisier gas genny. It also has a huge inverter to run the air. I'm hoping the Navion gets the lithium package option and maybe a much larger battery pack and more solar panel real estate with the larger roof area.

The tech is cool and all, but my point is that you still have to run an internal combustion engine to supplement the solar to charge your batteries.

So, my opinion to your first question is that the writing isn't on the wall yet.

[757driver]

The technology and the lithium batteries make sense for a Class B where weight and space are a consideration to be able to run the drive engine with a high output alternator and not have to have the space for a separate generator.

When it comes to larger Class A’s I don’t think it would be economical to run a large diesel engine to charge the battery bank so I don’t see the generator disappearing any time soon.

[757driver]

On a side note Winnebago is now just catching up with lithium and no generator on a Class B to what Roadtrek out of Kitchener Ontario has been doing for at least 2 model years.

[USMCRET]

Eventually, perhaps. Not in my lifetime though.

[Sandy Swede]

Why, sure, it's just around the corner. Like driverless cars replacing current vehicles. And the personal computer that never crashes and is compatible with all desirable software. Oh well, at least no one is collecting your personal data.

[LSC9901]

I was discussing solar energy with my son today. They have home solar cells. His production will be down about 50% from last year at this time. Granted we are talking two different animals but it is my understanding that just because you are Rv'ing the the sun will not necessarily be everywhere you are.

Something better may happen someday but I enjoy having the generator on board for now. As long as it is maintained I believe I have a better chance of power than the current hit or miss of that nasty ole sun.

[nothermark]

Buy one and the first question will be where to store the Honda 2000.

[rarebear.nm]

I use propane, shore power, generator and solar to meet the various energy needs of our RV. No one solution is perfect or even works well for us in all cases. This gives the maximum flexibility where we stay and for how long. I would not give up any one of them. But in the end energy is energy regardless where it comes from.

Different note, while Lithium batteries are good and $$$ there's another option starting to shown up. Not technically new, but maybe fairly new to the RV scene. That is the nickel-iron battery. A nice benefit is they are designed to be drawn down to 0 reserve capacity and be fully recharged without any damage to the battery similar to some lithium designs. Unlike flooded lead that can be drawn down only to the 50% mark. They can be bought in 12,24 and 48 volt models.

If and when someone can invent and produce a new battery design that is 10 to 100 magnitudes of improvement over current technology, that will turn the RV industry and many others on there heads.

[325BH]

Originally Posted by rarebear.nm

If and when someone can invent and produce a new battery design that is 10 to 100 magnitudes of improvement over current technology, that will turn the RV industry and many others on there heads.

... which will be very cool. However, you have to pay the piper sometime. Once those batteries ate dead, you have to charge them. That means shore power, generator or 12 months of daylight without using any power!

[emoji846]

[tcg]

They just moved the generator under the hood.

I don't get it.

[Dutch Star Don]

"Bad Bolt".....Read the article again, its not about solar, it's about larger batteries that go longer between charging. Actually, there is no discussion of solar in the article, other than a quick note of 200 watts. There is not much that will power. The coach itself doesn't have enough rough square footage for sufficient solar charging.

Yes, coaches will be going to larger battery banks for longer periods and more power between charges, but solar is a long way off on RV's.

[Cat320]

Originally Posted by 1doodadd

I Don't Think So.

Agree, no way solar will ever power an AC for any length of time...much less two or three.