Any Greenies in the audience?

Greg Gay · 04-04-2015, 05:27 PM

Being from VT, you might think that I would be a Greenie, but not so much. However, I would like to run a computer at the races, possibly a weather station and MAYBE a pager system. My trailer is not that large, and I really don't have room for a generator (no motor home), so I was wondering if the above could be powered with solar panels, either portable, or perhaps mounted to the roof of the trailer. If so, would this be cost effective? Could the battery already on board the trailer serve as the reserve capacity? We generally race during the daylight, anyway, and not when its raining, so I wouldn't think there would be much need for a lot of reserve. Anyone know about this stuff?

Thanks,

Greg

Sean Marconette · 04-04-2015, 06:20 PM

Greg,

This may not be what you had in mind but this is what we use as backup power at the track. It will power the laptop, weather station and battery charger for the car.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumacher...erter/15140200

Sean

Rich Biebel · 04-04-2015, 06:24 PM

A portable generator like a Honda 1000 or 2000 is much better, + a battery with a 5-10 amp charger and a small inverter. Run the generator and it powers the computer and weather station and battery charger. Shut the generator off and use the inverter that is connected to your battery. Saves gas...generator does not have to run all day...and you can still use it to charge your race car battery.

Solar needs a lot of surface area for any kind of decent output and is DC I believe so you still would need an inverter and they use a fair amount of current so you'd need a lot of solar panel area and some sun !

I have a generator in my trailer but also have an inverter and give my generator (4KW Onan) a rest periodically by using the inverter...and I have a small 5 amp battery charger so the battery gets recharged when the generator is running.

rognelson777 · 04-04-2015, 07:08 PM

check out honeywell 1400 inverter generator (home depot) comes with battery charging cables, ,about 500 to 600 bucks, inverter style generators are very quiet and lite. Put in 2 6volt deep cycle batteries (all the new RVS use 6 volt batteries because more storage capacity) , and a converter for 12 volts to 120 when not running generator. Size converter wattage to as close to max watts you need when not running generator because the larger the converter the more power it consumes even if no draw on it.

Make sure generator is 4 cycle.

Go to RVNET forums, a lot of info on there about boondocking, camping without hookups.

Rich Biebel · 04-04-2015, 09:49 PM

An Inverter produces AC from DC and a Converter produces DC from AC. A generator produces AC and is your primary power source. Your battery powers your inverter. An Inverter style generator is just a different way to make AC using an engine for power. Sounds confusing but really isn't. Cheap generators no matter who's name is on it are Made in China. Honda is the std all others are judged by.

HandOverFist · 04-04-2015, 10:44 PM

Well satisfied with the Yamaha 2000. I think it and the Honda equivalent are nearly identical in performance and features. You can join two of these together for 4000 watts if desired. They are so quiet I'm constantly checking to see if it is even running.

Rich Biebel · 04-05-2015, 07:01 AM

Yes those Yamaha generators are very good and quiet.

SGSST109E · 04-05-2015, 07:39 AM

I have solar panels on the top of my trailer for the last 16 years. They keep the batteries charged for the winch and power for the laptop, weather station, radio etc. I have a Honda 3000 which is great but I rarely have to use it. Solar panels are very cheap now between $1.00 to $1.50 a watt.

Greg Gay · 04-05-2015, 10:02 AM

Thank you for the responses, everyone. Very informative. I will probably go with the inverter/generator, but SGSST109E: How do you control for the variable input of the solar panels?

Greg

Nitro Joe Jackson · 04-05-2015, 10:13 AM

check out with Bill Bagley, he races and sells Honda Generators at great prices, will ship to your house, tell him Nitro Joe sent you.

Bagley Tractor
& Equipment

3709 South Eastman Road
Longview, TX. 75602

800-281-0256
903-753-8262
903-753-3651 Fax

http://www.bagleytractor.com/

04-04-2015, 05:27 PM	#1
Greg Gay Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 385 Likes: 21 Liked 283 Times in 70 Posts	Any Greenies in the audience? Being from VT, you might think that I would be a Greenie, but not so much. However, I would like to run a computer at the races, possibly a weather station and MAYBE a pager system. My trailer is not that large, and I really don't have room for a generator (no motor home), so I was wondering if the above could be powered with solar panels, either portable, or perhaps mounted to the roof of the trailer. If so, would this be cost effective? Could the battery already on board the trailer serve as the reserve capacity? We generally race during the daylight, anyway, and not when its raining, so I wouldn't think there would be much need for a lot of reserve. Anyone know about this stuff? Thanks, Greg

04-04-2015, 06:20 PM	#2
Sean Marconette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 977 Likes: 790 Liked 275 Times in 76 Posts	Re: Any Greenies in the audience? Greg, This may not be what you had in mind but this is what we use as backup power at the track. It will power the laptop, weather station and battery charger for the car. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumacher...erter/15140200 Sean __________________ Sean Marconette 84 Mustang 5060 SS/N

04-04-2015, 06:24 PM	#3
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,314 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: Any Greenies in the audience? A portable generator like a Honda 1000 or 2000 is much better, + a battery with a 5-10 amp charger and a small inverter. Run the generator and it powers the computer and weather station and battery charger. Shut the generator off and use the inverter that is connected to your battery. Saves gas...generator does not have to run all day...and you can still use it to charge your race car battery. Solar needs a lot of surface area for any kind of decent output and is DC I believe so you still would need an inverter and they use a fair amount of current so you'd need a lot of solar panel area and some sun ! I have a generator in my trailer but also have an inverter and give my generator (4KW Onan) a rest periodically by using the inverter...and I have a small 5 amp battery charger so the battery gets recharged when the generator is running. __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R

04-04-2015, 07:08 PM	#4
rognelson777 Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 376 Likes: 20 Liked 135 Times in 74 Posts	Re: Any Greenies in the audience? check out honeywell 1400 inverter generator (home depot) comes with battery charging cables, ,about 500 to 600 bucks, inverter style generators are very quiet and lite. Put in 2 6volt deep cycle batteries (all the new RVS use 6 volt batteries because more storage capacity) , and a converter for 12 volts to 120 when not running generator. Size converter wattage to as close to max watts you need when not running generator because the larger the converter the more power it consumes even if no draw on it. Make sure generator is 4 cycle. Go to RVNET forums, a lot of info on there about boondocking, camping without hookups.

04-04-2015, 09:49 PM	#5
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,314 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: Any Greenies in the audience? An Inverter produces AC from DC and a Converter produces DC from AC. A generator produces AC and is your primary power source. Your battery powers your inverter. An Inverter style generator is just a different way to make AC using an engine for power. Sounds confusing but really isn't. Cheap generators no matter who's name is on it are Made in China. Honda is the std all others are judged by. __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R

04-04-2015, 10:44 PM	#6
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,651 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Any Greenies in the audience? Well satisfied with the Yamaha 2000. I think it and the Honda equivalent are nearly identical in performance and features. You can join two of these together for 4000 watts if desired. They are so quiet I'm constantly checking to see if it is even running. __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321

04-05-2015, 07:01 AM	#7
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,314 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: Any Greenies in the audience? Yes those Yamaha generators are very good and quiet. __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R

04-05-2015, 07:39 AM	#8
SGSST109E Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 351 Likes: 62 Liked 126 Times in 61 Posts	Re: Any Greenies in the audience? I have solar panels on the top of my trailer for the last 16 years. They keep the batteries charged for the winch and power for the laptop, weather station, radio etc. I have a Honda 3000 which is great but I rarely have to use it. Solar panels are very cheap now between $1.00 to $1.50 a watt.

04-05-2015, 10:02 AM	#9
Greg Gay Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 385 Likes: 21 Liked 283 Times in 70 Posts	Re: Any Greenies in the audience? Thank you for the responses, everyone. Very informative. I will probably go with the inverter/generator, but SGSST109E: How do you control for the variable input of the solar panels? Greg

04-05-2015, 10:13 AM	#10
Nitro Joe Jackson VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Loudonville, Ohio or where ever the Nitro Lounge is parked Posts: 2,293 Likes: 57 Liked 67 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Any Greenies in the audience? check out with Bill Bagley, he races and sells Honda Generators at great prices, will ship to your house, tell him Nitro Joe sent you. Bagley Tractor & Equipment 3709 South Eastman Road Longview, TX. 75602 800-281-0256 903-753-8262 903-753-3651 Fax http://www.bagleytractor.com/ __________________ Nitro Joe Jackson STK 3431 nitrojoe@neo.rr.com