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Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
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I really hate generators! "but" for a small set up like your thinking you might be better off with a Honda. The 1000 may be big enough for every thing
you plan to use and if you had one deep cell battery and a small inverter that use a cigarette type plug you could have quiet time when you or you're
neighbors wanted. You could charge the battery directly from the generator. Just keep an eye on the battery with a multi meter. you can google solar
systems and find something small. Here's what i found my first try... http://www.harborfreight.com/45-watt-solar-panel-kit-90599.h...
Good luck!
Just found this place. The are a really reputable company and there is a lot of info on there site. http://www.solar-electric.com/
[Edited on 7-31-2010 by Russ]
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 2-14-2006
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My 50 watt panel hooked up to 1 RV battery runs 12V light (3 hours) . galley pump. XM + Stereo . Laptop - occasionally. recharging drills camera
batteries etc . baja sun conditions indefinitely.
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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 2-14-2006
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honda eu2000 $1K - ouch
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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Two 100 watt solar panels: $1K ouch!
One inverter, 2000 watt: $2-300.
One AGM deep cycle battery: $250.00
One DIY wiring job that includes parts: $40.00
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 2-14-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Udo
Two 100 watt solar panels: $1K ouch!
One inverter, 2000 watt: $2-300.
One AGM deep cycle battery: $250.00
One DIY wiring job that includes parts: $40.00 |
200 watts - overkill !
50 Watt panel - 299
Inverter - 40
Walmart RV Battery 49
Wiring 10
I run my camper each and every winter on this setup.
Generator - Hmmmmmmmmmmmm - who wants to listen to that
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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1 have a 400 watt inverter, so i think i'm leaning towards a panel.
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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 2-14-2006
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You'll have to check the specs on your blender if the the 400 Watt inverter will run it. If your only 110V appliance is a blender you can get those in
12 volt and also hand crank - not sure of the performance for making Magaritas  . I
have a small inverter - 400 watts. it charges the laptop camera and power drill off the 12V panel setup.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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I ran my Engel freezer all winter on 1 Costco marine battery and 3) 55watt solar panels. If you look around you can find used panels pretty cheap, I
just picked up 8 BP 75 watt panels for $600.
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torch
Nomad
Posts: 295
Registered: 1-27-2010
Location: O.C. Calif. and BCN
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| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
I just picked up 8 BP 75 watt panels for $600. |
wow thats a great deal
cosco has a 45watt set up for under 300.00 - (3 ) 15watt panels a charge controller and a inverter. I just set it up for a nieghbor and it works good
for him. The panels are on a pvc structure which would be perfect for traveling and camping.
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El Camote
Senior Nomad
Posts: 514
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Above the clouds
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Mood: y Blues
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Don't forget a small charge controller
I'll weigh in on the PV panel side. We power a 32 ft. motorhome with two small panels mounted on the roof, a 12 amp charge controller, two 225 amp
6V deep-cycle golf cart batteries and a 400W inverter.
Couldn't find them on line but, as someone mentioned, Costco has a great deal on solar panels. I've also bought the batteries there in the past.
Bought the inverter from Costco as well, many years ago, for $25 on a recommendation from a Nomad.
The Charge controller is key if you want to leave the system hooked up all the time. It will keep the panels from overcharging the batteries. This
is what we use. http://www.ecodirect.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Xant...
When we set up to camp, I just alligator clamp the inverter to the batteries then plug the main power cord into the inverter, unplug the converter
and make sure the fridge is running on propane. This powers up all the AC outlets in the moho. Just keep an eye on your power usage via a DC gauge.
We even run a small, DC powered TV with this set up and charge the cell phones, laptops and portable DVD player.
I can count on one hand the number of times I've started the generator. Sure makes the neighbors happy. 
[Edited on 7-31-2010 by El Camote]
Knowledge is good. - Emil Faber
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larryC
Super Nomad
Posts: 1499
Registered: 8-11-2008
Location: BoLA
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The price of panels is way down right now. These are probably bigger than what Woody wants, but for $1.68 a watt they are a great deal for some one
else. I bought 6 of them and they work great.
http://sunelec.com/
190 watt panel for $320
Larry
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Terry28
Senior Nomad
Posts: 828
Registered: 8-25-2007
Location: S.Calif mtns.
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Mood: Thirsty
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One used honda generator, about $400.....forget everything else....end of problem. They are very quiet, you use it only when needed, hours and hours
of use on 1 gallon of fuel......more time for surfing....
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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IMHO it's wasteful and a pain in the burro to have to run a generator just for lights sound and other small loads, not to mention maintenance. One of
the greatest things about Baja is the silence, even the quietest generators are too loud for me when camped in a remote and otherwise silent place.
Solar is the way to go, and won't cost much for what you want to do. Save the generator for the occasional larger loads.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by larryC
The price of panels is way down right now. These are probably bigger than what Woody wants, but for $1.68 a watt they are a great deal for some one
else. I bought 6 of them and they work great.
http://sunelec.com/
190 watt panel for $320
Larry |
I saw Dupont thin film panels on the internet for $1.20 a watt. These are 67vmp panels so you would
need a MPPT controller.
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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I'll be the odd one out and not post about panels even though I am an electrical engineer:
Truism about huge panels and trying to keep up with an ever increasing load "I once had a spouse that no matter how much I earned working 7 days a
week managed to leave us in debt".
Lights are a major "expense", Take a look at REALLY thrifty lights as far as energy use is concerned:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/5M-16-ft-Flexible-Bright-Whit...
Somebody may have t run this through the URL Rosetta Stone to make it useful.
They are 12 volt D.C. powered. You can use one in a house with one of those plug in voltage converters. These things are BRIGHT! Six elderly people
who require reading glasses can line up side by side under a strip and read paperbacks at midnight. All for under an ampere.
They are shipped from near SAN JOSE California.
You can bet your bippee that I am going to purchase SEVERAL sets more.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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LED lights are a good call, I found 12 volt MR16 LED's on overstock.com, they have 1.8 watt and 2.5 watt for around $6 or $7. I rigged up a jumper
with a standard female plug so I could use a conventional extension cord to power them from the truck battery while camping. They are way more
convenient than Coleman lanterns and just as bright.
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805gregg
Super Nomad
Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
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Honda generator, you can run stuff, charge batteries and run your house at home when the power fails.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
LED lights are a good call, I found 12 volt MR16 LED's on overstock.com, they have 1.8 watt and 2.5 watt for around $6 or $7. I rigged up a jumper
with a standard female plug so I could use a conventional extension cord to power them from the truck battery while camping. They are way more
convenient than Coleman lanterns and just as bright. |
got a link?
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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 2-14-2006
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
. One of the greatest things about Baja is the silence, even the quietest generators are too loud for me when camped in a remote and otherwise silent
place. Solar is the way to go, and won't cost much for what you want to do. Save the generator for the occasional larger loads.
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Amen!
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taxcutter
Junior Nomad
Posts: 30
Registered: 8-9-2005
Member Is Offline
Mood: Dry
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I always liked this guy and his solution.
http://www.mdpub.com/Wind_Turbine/index.html
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