Using solar panels to lower electric costs

[MOODMAN]

That isn't the only design of turbines. If blades and generator are designed correctly, you can hardly hear them.

[babock]

Originally Posted by MOODMAN

That isn't the only design of turbines. If blades and generator are designed correctly, you can hardly hear them.

So where do you store your turbine when you are going between camp spots?

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by babock

Yeah...no thanks! If it was bad for you, can you imagine if you were in the trailer? I will take my silent solar any day.

Looks like that guy was semi permanent. The setup for that system probably takes him awhile and where do you store it when you are travelling?

According to the people in the park office he lives out in the desert and every once in a while comes to town. Stays there for a couple weeks while he visits his Dr(s), does his shopping, and then heads back out to the desert. His tow vehicle looks a bit like a "gypsy wagon" with all kinds of stuff piled on it. I imagine the turbines are merely strapped on top.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by MOODMAN

That isn't the only design of turbines. If blades and generator are designed correctly, you can hardly hear them.

Probably true but nobody that sells them commercially has published a dba level (that I could find). Also, the so called "almost silent" ones I looked at were in the $1500-$2,000 range -------- for 400 watts max @ winds around 30 mph.

How much "solar" can one buy for $1500-$2000 with 200 watt panels selling for ~150-$170 today.

[TowPro]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

out to the desert. His tow vehicle looks a bit like a "gypsy wagon" with all kinds of stuff piled on it. I imagine the turbines are merely strapped on top.

Like this one I saw in Central FL this spring?

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by TowPro

Like this one I saw in Central FL this spring?

Close. Somewhere between what you saw and this:



Amazing what you could pile on a truck when in a country with no highway overpasses.

[rthomaslyons]

Thanks for your comments, all good points. The solar system is paid for and I would likely run the fridge and HWT on propane. In Yuma you get a lot of sun everyday and can avoid A/C until noon (Jan and Feb). By 6:00 pm it’s cooling down and a small ceramic heater is usually enough to take the chill off for sleeping. It’s a pretty moderate desert climate the two months we are there. We have a South exposure so I may just take the solar panels and see if it helps. This is our first Class C and it appears to be better insulated than our previous towables.