Dreaming about a powerful solution
Another afternoon, and another virtual rabbit burrow to explore.
If (ever) we wanted to spend time in the RV as boondockers, we would have to upgrade the included power system. Something more than several coach batteries and a solar panel of dubious output. There are ways to get more watts for dollars, but they involve unfamiliar technology. So, what alternatives exist?
There’s always a small gasoline generator as a possibility, but it’s noisy and requires care and feeding. Thank you Honda, but no. Another, very interesting possibility is the field of “solar generators”. Akin to my upcoming DIY project (have all the pieces, and now I need to get busy). But, the real need (as determined by a committee meeting) is a unit that can power, in turn, a coffee machine and a space heater. Both are rated at close to 1500 watts, so any solution must be robust.
And there; my burrow, this afternoon. Turns out that the industry has solutions, involving Li-ion batteries, large inverters, an array of connectors and expansion into solar panels . Hey, now I get the “solar generator” label!
The one I want will cost about $4K, so I’m trying to rationalize a purchase. For example, in the midst of a big time power outage, I could loan the unit to the neighbour to power a fridge or a hotplate (I know, there’s a full firehall of gear right next door, but I’m dreaming here). Or, if we decided to go off into the desert, we’d be good until water supplies run out. You see, stretching the solution to fit any need. Nothing ordered, yet (because everyone on the continent is out of stock until autumn).
