A solar powered generator is known as a solar panel.
I have never used on in an RV, but in my experience the "silent diesel generators" available are about as quiet as you are going to get. They still make noise though.
Somethign like this:
edit: This the the model I have actually used.
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hmmm don't want to hijack but not only generators, I recently purchased a trailer and being a first time owner what kind of things are must have's for your trailer?
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The biggest questions have to do with how much power do you want to use; and for how long.
If you are going to be dry camping in the mountains over long weekends and don't need A/C or a microwave, I would suggest speaking to CPer Traditional Ale about some battery options. Last year I put my battery to the test with some October dry camping. Over 2 nights with the the furnace going and my nephews watching DVDs during the day, I was still sitting around 60-70% battery.
A big part of that has to do with me getting LED lights for the trailer. The bulbs I have put out about 70% of the light, but use less than 10% of the power of regular bulbs.
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What I came up with was to make an offer conditional on a test tow. Then I towed it to the cat scale at husky on Barlow...this allowed me to check the payload (weighed it with 2 adults and a full tank of fuel). Still had a good amount of room. Then I towed the trailer up Stoney trail towards Costco, this is probably the steepest grade in Calgary...the trailer towed awesome, no problem hitting 100 up this grade.
My test tow had no sway bars, and only noticed slight sway on Deerfoot when passed by a semi, when I tow it for real I bought a duel cam sway control.
A big part of that has to do with me getting LED lights for the trailer. The bulbs I have put out about 70% of the light, but use less than 10% of the power of regular bulbs.
Where did you buy your LED lights, this is the first change I'm making...
Batteries, solar panels, regulators, inverters, and tonnes of other cool stuff is what I do for bread. CP discounts in full effect!
Okay i'm very interested in getting a CP discounted solar set up, I have 2 - 6v batteries, can I run everything in my trailer except microwave and air-conditioner if I add a solar set up? i.e. can I use the TV?
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Yes, you can use the TV. The trick is going into the stores and buying a TV that has a DC power input. Then you just buy a 12 volt cigarette universal adapter from Canadian Tire. I bought this RCA TV for the trailer; it draws about 12-15 watts or 1-1.25 amps 12VDC. LD had it on sale for $120 last week, and when I bought mine I got it at Walmart for $98.
As for LED bulbs, the bulbs I have been buying have been these ones from Deal Extreme. They do take up to 4 weeks to get here, and be sure to look around their site as they have others. I just felt the power usage to light produced ratio worked out best for my needs. Some people on another RV forum I am on have been putting in LED panels, but then you are using 2-3 times as much power as these little guys.
I do have a comparison available if anybody would like to see it; click here
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I bought some LED's to replace 1156 incandesants from Gregg Distributors in Calgary. Pretty pricey but they hardly use any power at all. The only complaint I have is that on some of the bulbs not all of the LED's worked and had to exchange them.
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One other thing I just thought of- I bought this scale for weighing the propane tank.
It's one thing to run out of propane at home; quite another to run out while out camping. I tried some of the other gauges; and they really aren't that accurate. This will tell you exactly how much propane you have left. You can even do it by yourself. When the weight stablizes it will beep and lock on that weight; so you don't have to try and read it as you hold the tank in the air.
If you already have the 2 6V conversion and running your ac and microwave is a must I would go no smaller than a Yamaha 2400. You might be able to get away with the 2000 but probably not. If you have a small AC unit that might be enough to power it. If not definately spring for the Honda or Yamaha 3000 both are great machines a little weighty but definately quieter. If you do decide to go el cheapo on the generator you can pack the muffler with a little steel wool to make it quieter.
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Madman- how are you securing those LED panels in your fixture? I see they say it comes with adhesive, but people on my other forum have mentioned the adhesive can't handle the heat produced.
So I had heard that 2 six volts were much better than the battery that comes with trailers. Why is that? How much are 6 v batteries and is this something I should be asking the dealer to throw in to close the deal?
I want them to install a 2" hitch to put the bike on as well.
Any other goodies that I should ask for?
Do those LED lights just go into the existing outlets or is there re-wiring involved?
New To RVing (all inclusive)
