house batteries

[usbusin]

"so what I'm getting from this is that I should probably go solar"

Definitely!!  If you're going to be boon-docking your neighbors will love you if you don't have to start up the generator to charge the batteries.  There is nothing like peace and quiet.  Isn't that why we boon-dock; to get away from it all?

Just my opinion.  Your neighbors opinion may vary.  And, lots of board members may have a different opinion.

[Lee Bradley]

I would say if you have house batteries forget solar. House batteries usually means a large electrical load and the amount of solar you can put on your bus probably wont change your generator run time. So you end up with the capital investment of generator and solar panels. If you have a propane/diesel bus conversion and you don't have house batteries / generator, then do go solar to keep your start batteries topped up, go for it. Or if you want solar to show you're 'Green', go for it but for straight economics I don't think you can make it work. I don't think you will pay for the solar with the generator fuel you save.

[usbusin]

Lee,

We can dry camp in the Arizona desert for 2 - 2 1/2 months in the winter and rarely have to run our generator.  In 7 1/2 years we have only 60+ hours on our generator. 

So, solar panels keep our three group 31 batteries charged quite well.  I'm not saying it is cost effective.  We just like a quiet surrounding.  And, we definitely don't have solar to show we're "Green".   Again, peace and quiet.

My opinion and mine only. 

[gyrocrasher]

Lee,

We can dry camp in the Arizona desert for 2 - 2 1/2 months in the winter and rarely have to run our generator.  In 7 1/2 years we have only 60+ hours on our generator. 

Wow! 

[buswarrior]

The solar panel will be paid for out of the extended life of your batteries, because they are getting topped right up.

If there has been a heavier discharge than your solar array will restore, bang the bigger part of the charge in with the generator, and let the solar panels finish the job, when you're spinning the generator for only a few amps.

I'd be thinking the cost effective balance point rests with a modest solar array, with the generator expected to take care of more dramatic charging needs?

As often is found, a mixed breed makes for a more well rounded animal?

happy coaching!
buswarrior