Solar panels & Inverter OR Generator

Solar panels & Inverter OR Generator

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Discussion

Spuffington

Original Poster:

1,203 posts

167 months

Tuesday 7th February 2017
quotequote all
Collect wisdom & experience of PH required here..... Firstly, please don't post any comments about gennies being noisey and inconsiderate as that's a given (albeit I'm looking at a Honda EU20i - one of the quieter ones) but I'm talking about using the gennie on an empty site where noise won't be an issue.

That out of the way, a brief outline of the problem...

As per my other thread, I will shortly be full-timing in the Hymer. Closest site to the family home is a small camp site with only water & waste facilities - no hookup. It is, however, dirt cheap and practical for both seeing my daughter and meals in the local pub. I will be spending two weeks at a time there before moving on either for a fortnight elsewhere or on business trips but on average 2-3wks per month. Although I can run everything on my Gaslow LPG Setup (2 x 11kg), I had hoped to run an oil-filled rad (switchable 1 or 2kw) through the chilly months and a Remanska halogen oven thing for cooking. Plus I need to keep the batteries charged. So as I see it, I have two options:

Generator

Having investigated the various options, for intensive use (i.e. daily), I would go for the Honda EU20i (2KW) suitcase Generator, which seems to be reliable as well as producing good quality sine-wave electricity for both EHU and running things like microwave & even aircon (individually). It won't disturb anyone on this pitch and even if there is anyone else around, it will be for a few hours immediately after coming home from work and not the whole night long. But purchase price is 1k (used ones on eBay not that much cheaper when you factor in 5yr warranty with a new one) and there is obviously the cost of fuelling the thing, keeping it secure and schlepping it around at other times.

Solar Panels, batteries & Inverter

Not sure this is an option for running things like and oil-filled rad, microwave or Laptop - but this is where I need your help.

I currently have 2 x 120ah batteries which are less than two years old and I believe to be in good condition. Also have a solar Panel which I believe is 15yrs old which barely even registers any charge coming in so we can effectively bin it and start again.

Question is - would a SERIOUS solar setup be a worthwhile alternative to a Generator. If I'm going to spend 1k on a gennie, what could I get for a grand as far as solar is concerned (professionally fitted)? Would I need uprating the batteries? How much Inverter useage can big batteries take from say 10mins of 600w microwave and 1kw oil filled rad?

I know there's lots of maths & science involved to give firm answers on energy consumption. But at this stage I'm just investigating whether it's possible to do normal things like:

1) boil a kettle
2) run an oil-filled rad for a few hours
3) cook with a Remanska for an hour or so

all without killing batteries, which I presume will be topped up reasonably effectively during the day with a decent couple of panels as there's no power consumption during the day as I'll be out at work.


  • **
Many thanks in advance and sorry if my post is a bit rambling. At the moment, spending a grand on anything is a big deal but given I need offgrid power for the next 10 months, I want to be sure I'm making the right decision.


bristolracer

5,528 posts

148 months

Tuesday 7th February 2017
quotequote all
You may find this useful.

http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpand...

In a word No for kettles,electric heaters and cooking.

Does the van not have gas?
You can boil a kettle on a ring,heat water and heating I presume?
£1000 will buy you a lot of gas
The solar can take care of your lighting and running a laptop/tv maybe but wont be man enough for what you want even with an inverter.

It is a hymer at the end of day, and should have the necessary to live off grid.
Im sure the van can live off grid,can you?

Spuffington

Original Poster:

1,203 posts

167 months

Tuesday 7th February 2017
quotequote all
Thanks, I also saw that link whilst browsing.

In respect of it being a Hymer, you're right. It's certainly my set up for a few days of living off grid. My concern stems from spending two weeks off grid as far as leccy is concerned. I think I can live without the halogen oven and the oil rad - it's more about how I'm going to keep charge in the batteries over a week or so given that the heating is blown and uses juice. And then the water pump. Being without charge for those two would be a game over moment.

I'm erring towards the Genny as I can at least sell it for 75% of purchase price afterwards. And being able to run it for 2-3hrs every couple of nights is the safety net I need.

Gavin0478

472 posts

140 months

Tuesday 7th February 2017
quotequote all
Will you be commuting to work and back in another vehicle.
Can you not set that up with a couple of batteries and a split charge relay to top them up daily and just swap or run off them?

custardkid

2,514 posts

223 months

Tuesday 7th February 2017
quotequote all
run the engine to top up the batteries?

Spuffington

Original Poster:

1,203 posts

167 months

Wednesday 8th February 2017
quotequote all
custardkid said:
run the engine to top up the batteries?
That may well be the answer.

Gavin0478

472 posts

140 months

Wednesday 8th February 2017
quotequote all
Spuffington said:
custardkid said:
run the engine to top up the batteries?
That may well be the answer.
Remember that at idle it literally is a trickle going into the battery.

shovelheadrob

1,564 posts

170 months

Saturday 11th February 2017
quotequote all
Here's my thoughts, solar is good, quiet & free. The downside being limited availability through the winter months & you have to have a way of saving the electricity you make, so works best with a decent sized battery bank. You then have to transform that DC power into AC power to run things like the microwave & electric heaters, so you'll need a decent sized inverter too.
Inverter, covered above & again you need to replenish that power. An inverter will drain a normal leisure battery in a very short time if you're thinking of running anything more than a laptop or small TV.
Generator, not dependent on anything other that a fuel supply but easy to have stolen, you obviously have to top up fuel regularly or keep a supply handy.
I have a Hyundai 3000sei generator, it's very quiet most of the time (probably not much louder than the Honda) price was iirc a bit less than the Honda but more higher output & remote electric start swung the deal for me. We use it for off grid camping in our 5th wheel & it will run everything we need including the A/C (not all at once though!). I have a 10litre jerry can & that will do around 4 days.
I don't think a 2.0 kw generator will run the A/C as my 3.0 kw is on it's limit & has tripped out a couple of times unless your A/C has a lower start up draw.
I also have 4 x 110ah batteries with a digital voltage/current display to keep an eye on things, don't let your batteries get too low, they don't recover! We have done over a week off grid just running the generator for a couple of hours in the evening while watching TV to keep things topped up. It's so nice when it's cold & raining to just press a button instead of having to go outside to pull start the genny when the missus wants to use the hair dryer & I want a lay in!

Kneetrembler

2,069 posts

201 months

Sunday 12th February 2017
quotequote all
Another thought when/if you have to buy new batteries, buy Lithium Batteries as you can run them down more and as our mobiles do not get damaged when recharging.
Victron I believe sell them.

Nigel Worc's

8,121 posts

187 months

Sunday 12th February 2017
quotequote all
Kneetrembler said:
Another thought when/if you have to buy new batteries, buy Lithium Batteries as you can run them down more and as our mobiles do not get damaged when recharging.
Victron I believe sell them.
Beware of the charging requirements of lithium, they are not the same as lead acid or gel.

Lithium does not like being overcharged.

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/chargin...


Edited by Nigel Worc's on Sunday 12th February 22:56

Spuffington

Original Poster:

1,203 posts

167 months

Monday 13th February 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for your thoughts guys. Much appreciated.

I decided that the easiest, quickest and best option at this stage was to go the generator route. Although in a lot of ways solar is probably the longerterm solution, I need something which is a bit more flexible at this moment in time and capable of coping with the demands of offgrid living in all weathers and arguably doing things which I wouldn't normally do in a motorhome (like microwave meals, Remoska cooker and perhaps the 1-2kW oil rad) - plus ensuring that the batteries don't get killed.

So, after mulling it over a good few nights and then finally pressing the button whilst heavily under the influence of alcohol (some of my best large-capex spends done in this way!) I purchased a brand new Honda EU20i. My reason for going brand new was the fact there was actually very little difference in price between used and new. A lot of the used ones I found had no record of service or utilisation, nor receipt of purchase. So for me it was important to have the 5yr warranty and known provenance. I may well end up selling it once my stint of full-timing is over, which means the layout will be relatively deminimus given they hold their value well. Or, given it'll have paid for itself several times over by the end of the year, just keep hold of it for off-grid Holidays or just as a backup for fridge/freezer in the event of powercuts etc.

All that said, "Harry" will be going in to MG Caravans tomorrow to have the taps sorted and I have asked them to quote for an all-singing, all-dancing solar, battery & inverter setup. I may even treat myself to it with the proceeds of the generator once I'm back out living in a house again. At least I have options.

Will be keeping a strict log of the generator utilisation for resale and servicing.

Thanks again for your help. smile


77racing

3,346 posts

186 months

Monday 13th February 2017
quotequote all
good luck with that spuff it is really sunny today so hope that continues into your live aboard stint, then no need of the oil rad.

just a question about the genny use ..................can you just plug them into the mains port and use the sockets inside as you would if you were on mains? whilst plugged into the hook up port, will the genny charge up the leisure battery if you not using anything on board ?

Spuffington

Original Poster:

1,203 posts

167 months

Monday 13th February 2017
quotequote all
Thanks mate.

Yes, the way I understand it is that you plug it into the van in the same way you would a normal electric hookup. The generator provides stable 230v AC in the same way as you'd get from EHU and you run the van accordingly. If required, the battery charger will draw power to charge the batteries and the generator itself will adjust the throttle according to the load placed upon it. For example if all you're doing is boiling a kettle, it'll throttle up when required and idle when the kettle turns off.

That's the idea, anyway!

MDMA .

8,849 posts

100 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
you've done right. we do a lot of conversions here. problem with inverters/batteries is that for the last few years ( euro 5/6 engines ), they are all stop/start - regen braking style. this then creates another problem of running batteries down and trying to recharge them as the normal short runs don't engage the smart alternators that are now fitted.

you can't go wrong with a generator really. yes, a little noisy sometimes but at least it is reliable power ( for most of the time ).

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0658/7343/files/...

Edited by MDMA . on Tuesday 14th February 15:16

Kneetrembler

2,069 posts

201 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
Nigel Worc's said:
Beware of the charging requirements of lithium, they are not the same as lead acid or gel.

Lithium does not like being overcharged.

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/chargin...


Edited by Nigel Worc's on Sunday 12th February 22:56
Thankyou for that a very interesting article, at present Lithium Batteries as for vehicles are not the cheapest option, but because of their longevity and discharging are my interest for motorhomes.

V40TC

1,994 posts

183 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
ref :
Will be keeping a strict log of the generator utilisation for resale and servicing.

I added an Hour Meter to my generator
saves logging time running
simple and easy to install.

this is the one I have:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TOOGOO-bicycle-Motorcycle...

in fact if you pm me an address we will buy you one from amazon and have it posted to you.

Spuffington

Original Poster:

1,203 posts

167 months

Tuesday 21st February 2017
quotequote all
V40TC said:
ref :
Will be keeping a strict log of the generator utilisation for resale and servicing.

I added an Hour Meter to my generator
saves logging time running
simple and easy to install.

this is the one I have:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TOOGOO-bicycle-Motorcycle...

in fact if you pm me an address we will buy you one from amazon and have it posted to you.
Thanks ever so much for the kind offer - much appreciated. Don't worry though, I'll grab myself one since I'm ordering a lot from Amazon at the moment! Appreciate the offer though.

Great idea and I'll certainly do that. I'll also get one for my Husqvarna Rider too, since I'm amazed given the strict servicing requirements that it doesn't come with one.

5ohmustang

2,755 posts

114 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
A lot of people in the states use a goal zero solar generator, all electric so it can be inside the living space.