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Topic: LD Electrical Dilemna (Read 5 times) previous topic - next topic
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LD Electrical Dilemna
Yahoo Message Number: 2577
Saturday we leave for Montclair and all the decisions. The only category I really DON'T understand is the power (electrical) options. I am new to RVing...like never did it.

At this moment my gut tells me to order two solar panels, the 1300W inverter, no dish antenna. Other options aren't relevant for this discussion but comments are welcome.

These decisions require knowledge of "how we'll RV" but not having that, I DO have experience with 5 days with no power because of an ice storm; the annual potential for hurricanes duplicating "boondocking"; and trips to relatives in neighborhoods where generator noise may not be polite. Given this "survival" scenario, I'd like to I'd like the LD to have the best power options for most things (including AC). Money is not an obstacle at this point.

I see the threads of buyers' experiences with Ed talking them OUT of stuff. I appreciate Ed's honesty in sales, but what should I order based upon the above....

This site has been a blessing. Expect my report of purchase about 28 March; and my notes of anxiety as we wait that final 7 months for delivery!!

PS We'll be in the factory the afternoon of the 22d and morning of the 23d should any of our net friends be there.

Larry
LD Electrical Dilemna
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2578
Two solar panels and the 1300W inverter are mutally exclusive options in my opinion. Extra solar panels are for those that want to go as long as possible without generator, shore power or running the engine.
Running something like a microwave off of a 1300W inverter will drain your batteries quickly.

Running an air conditioning unit off of the batteries through an inverter isn't even an option. You will either need to run the generator or be hooked up to shore power to have AC.

I'm a recent newbie myself and just passing along what I've learned in a short amount of time. Good luck with your purchase, it has been alot of fun for us.
LD Electrical Dilemna
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2579
Take lots of pictures and post them on the club site, if you don't mind. I think the actual factory tour where they are actually building the rigs would be nice because I don't see them here yet. I wish we had taken some in that area when we were there. Would be interesting to see when you can expect to pick up your LD. We were there on Feb. 7 and expect to pick up sometime in Sept.
LD Electrical Dilemna
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2580
Not taking enough pictures during the tour is one of my regrets.

For example, when we were on the factory tour, there was a LD without aluminum skin that just had the holding tank insulation blown in. A picture of that would have been very useful to the club member that was asking about adding the insulation after market.
LD Electrical Dilemna
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2583
Get the most efficient 3 stage, temp sensing battery charger that you can get and have the coach pre-wired for solar but no panels. Later, if you really feel that you need panels you can add them. At $5 per watt panels are really hard to justify and a really good charger can greatly minimize genset runtime to charge batteries.
LD Electrical Dilemna
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2584
One more thought. Consider getting an extra DC outlet as an option. If you don't get the 1600W inverter and want to operate a small AC appliance, you can plug in a portable inverter.

So far we've only run one of those goose neck map lights out of the optional DC outlet, but I can power a laptop computer or any other thing that you might run out of a cigarette type automotive 12V outlet.
LD Electrical Dilemna
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2585
When I ordered my 26' rear kitchen model, I got one solar panel for the entertainment center.
However, a friend of mine got two panels and 2000 wat inverter. He uses small appliances and the microwave{ in short times }. Keep in mind that the panels recharge your batteries and you only have a max. of 200 or so amp hours. Check the ratings of each appliance and you can do the math to see how long the batteries will last. Each panel is rated at 2 to 5 amps and will usually recover each day if the sun is shining on the panel.I think 2 panels is a good plan. I am going to put the second one on after I see how one panel keeps up.
I don't plan to use appliances. That is what the gen is for. We have har 3 LD's and just ordered the 26 1/2. Been Lazy Dazing since 1972.
Have fun!
 
LD Electrical Dilemna
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2587
Larry

We all have different opinions when it comes to electrical. I personally have two solar panels and a 1300 watt inverter installed by Lazy Daze.
If you have LD install the panels the roof will be reinforced with 2 by 6 wood so that there will not be any chance of them coming loose. I also had LD install two larger 145 amp batteries. By having the larger inverter it does allow us to run the microwave whenever we want especially after 10 pm when a generator is not allowed in a campground. We also have the entertainment center in the front and watch TV for 2 to 3 hours sometimes at night and have never had to worry about power because the two panels seem to recharge the batteries the next day. I guess if we were in cloudy weather for a couple of days then I might start the engine and let it run for 15 min. My other LD that I had for 10 years had solar panels and a 2500 watt inverter and I never ran out of electricity.
If you are considering using a dish now or in the future I would suggest that you have LD install it as they will put the reinforcement in the roof to hold it secure. I like the manual dish with the digital readout for elevation that LD installs. Again this is what we like and others will disagree but we are very happy with the setup.

Ron 2000 30'IB