Solar or Generator?

Our last TM had the TM solar panel and controller, it worked great. We like to boondock a lot. We just picked up a used Elkmont and have no solar panel now, I am a bit torn whether to get a Honda 2000i generator, or another solar panel. I can't afford both at this time, but maybe later. Which would you buy first and why? Thanks

[hillbillyhotel]

well
that is kinda open to needs, myself, the only time we dry camp is at a race track, have a honda, so we can have ac. but you got to have that gas, those panels is a one time purchase no more fuel, just my thoughts.

Originally Posted by Redhawk

Our last TM had the TM solar panel and controller, it worked great. We like to boondock a lot. We just picked up a used Elkmont and have no solar panel now, I am a bit torn whether to get a Honda 2000i generator, or another solar panel. I can't afford both at this time, but maybe later. Which would you buy first and why? Thanks

I've gone 3 nights comfortably in a full size trailer without charger, generator or solar using low power lights, gas on fridge and only water pump. I've gone up to 4 nights in a popup.

I have a Honda 2000. Used it twice on a trip to Yellowstone. Maybe once every other trip to heat up some Top Ramen or whatever. That's expensive Top Ramen.

If you lived in a hot area and needed to run the AC constantly, I'd say no brainer, get the genny. But otherwise, for keeping the batt topped off, solar it is.

Long story short, if I look at the usage pattern of my little red Honda, it probably wasn't needed. But I'm glad I have it. And Craigslist was good to me :-D

[B_and_D]

The main reason we bought our Honda generator is because the power goes out quite often here at home, sometimes for 24 hours or so (3 full days after the Loma Prieta earthquake). We've only used it a few times camping. When we dry camp we don't use much battery power and have a spare that we run the DVD player and TV off of. If we didn't need the generator for home, it would have been nicer to have a solar panel for the TM. So quiet, no generator to lug around & no worry about someone stealing it.

If you need the AC, or something that can only be powered by the brute force of a generator, get it. If not, do the rest of us a favor and get the solar panels. There is one member, forget his name, out in CA somewhere, that uses solar, extra battery(s) and some type of inverter to make enough 120 to power his microwave or coffee maker. Not the AC though. He has it mounted to the main box of the TM in the front. Just a thought.

I appreciate the responses, we had been doing fine with the solar panel on the 2619 TM the last 2 years and never felt the need for a generator, if we need A/C or the microwave we'd probably be in an RV park anyway. So it's good to see the responses reinforce what I guess I already knew. Just making sure there wasn't something I was missing!

The TM panel with install is in the $1200. dollar range. That seems a bit steep, so i guess the next question is if there are other options to get a mounted panel.

Thanks Again!

[scrubjaysnest]

The solar panels I installed this year are working great, this will be our third year of camping 6 to 8 months without a gen set just don't like the noise. At Datil Well, NM temps have been from 30's for lows and mid 70's for highs so no need for AC Ours trips the circuit breaker when air temps get above the mid 90's anyway.

[ShrimpBurrito]

Redhawk - do you have LEDs in the dome lights? We don't have high power needs (no inverter, no TV, etc.), but since we added LEDs, we can pretty easily last a week in the winter while using the furnace at night. During the summer....probably a month. We have 2 Trojan T-105s.

Dave

Dave, I do have LED lights, they are not installed yet though, only had the Elk for 5 days! It does have 2 6V batteries, not sure of the brand. When you say you last a week, are you using a solar panel?

We've always been "no noise" when camping with friends, but lately several have added genertors, so there goes the neighborhood, as I said, we've had great luck with the panel on the 2619 and that is the way I'm going.

[ShrimpBurrito]

No solar panel, and no genny of course.

Behind the furnace, incandescent and fluorescent lights are the second biggest power draw in the TM. So if you didn't have LEDs in your last TM, I would hold off on the genny/solar panel decision until you've had a chance to camp a bit with the LEDs. Frankly, after we converted 4 of our overhead lamps (I believe ours draw 300mA each, and are brighter than the OEM bulbs), I've even briefly considered going back to one battery whenever it comes time to replace our current ones. If you don't have other power hungry needs (big TV, inverter, etc.), LEDs make a huge difference in power requirements, especially in the winter when it gets dark at 4:30pm.

I would personally consider a genny at some point, but only as a last resort.

Dave