[QUOTE=katarine;5323226]
You have all the generator you need to power your current LQ. You can go anywhere…now. All you have to do is fill up and load up, the Honda. It will run your current trailer. As for 30 amp plugs- any RV place sells adapters that allow you to plug your shore line into any grounded plug.
This site may give you ideas of step up benches and storage. They are in Conyers if you need work done, and they do a good job.
I don’t know about you, but actually going primitive means sleeping hot many months out of the year here in the SE. If I were you…I would keep the Honda generator and not spend the money and effort to rip out a LQ. Hell, haul the LQ and just build a campfire if you don’t want to have power. Scratching my head here at the idea of demoing a LQ rather than load up a super quiet, super nice, Honda Generator, OR just haul the LQ and not use power. It’s called lanterns and propane stoves LOL. Kitty litter in a 5 gal bucket. Headlamps, etc…[/QUOTE]
Ooooh, I’ve looked at a lot of designs. These guy are very creative with the small spaces. A good balance between good design and simple construction. I’m impressed with their site.
For those wanting to do their own weekend package or living quarters, one good site is the toddredwrench site -
http://todd.redwrench.com/
[QUOTE=gothedistance;5323520]
Cloudy days? Not a problem. Solar panels are highly sensitive and will charge even in dim light. You need complete blackness for them to stop working.
Believe me - I personally tested this, and they do work up to the point where you yourself have a hard time seeing.
The panels I have are made by Sensei. Excellent company, excellent product. I’ve had mine for years and they are fabulous.[/QUOTE]
I’m interested in hearing more about the solar part of your system. You have the same generator that I have. You have a 2500 inverter, marine batteries. How do you connect it up to the system. What size solar panels do you have? how long does it take for them to recharge the batteries that you have? Do you know how long it takes for the generator to recharge the same batteries? What would you estimate the cost of the solar system to be? Thanks.
You have a 2500 inverter, marine batteries. How do you connect it up to the system
The inverter (inside the trailer on an interior wall) is connected to the marine battery (just a single one at the moment) which is housed in a sealed metal box on the exterior wall under the gooseneck. Connection is via battery cables (neg and pos) run through the exterior wall. The inverter has 2 AC outlets for cord plugs, and an on/off switch. I use 2 power surge strips to allow for more than just the 2 plugs. Never had a problem overloading the system.
What size solar panels do you have?
I have three 2W solar panels that gang up to produce a 6w charge, which is the standard charge used for a battery without needing a controller. Any higher wattage requires a controller to prevent overcharging.
I do not have my solar panels permanently installed on the roof of my trailer since panels (like anything else) will fatigue quicker over time when left in the weather. I only put out my panels when I want to recharge the battery. . Takes only a second to set whatever number of panels I feel I need on the roof of the trailer, or anywhere else to catch the sun, and connect the “mother cord” to the receiving plug that is permanently installed on the positive terminal of the battery. When not in use the panels are stored inside the trailer.
how long does it take for them to recharge the batteries that you have?
With ample sunshine it takes the same time as a standard plug-in battery charger to charge.
Do you know how long it takes for the generator to recharge the same batteries?
You would have to use a plug-in charger with a generator to recharge the batteries, and it would take the same time as the solar panels in full sun, and/or pulling off the grid.
What would you estimate the cost of the solar system to be?
Depends upon the wattage you want. Different wattage capture is priced accordingly. All the cost is upfront. You can average out the cost over the years of use, but …it is hard to estimate the true overall cost when one is out in the boonies with no “grid enabled” power available. In those cases, solar panels are worth their weight in gold - JMHO.
Thanks for the information! Your system and setup sound really nice.
Thanks. 
I really love my set-up. It is more versatile than a built-in system and just allows me to be more creative in my living space.
Last year I put up a string (50’) of LED lights inside the trailer along the entire length of the lower ceiling - it throws very soft light in the evening, but still enough to see easily…and yet draws almost no energy at all! They are also such a great conversation piece when friends visit for the evening wine and cheese!
I’m looking into the newest flexible roll-up solar panels. It would be nice to have a panel that takes up less room and can mold to any surface. The one drawback, however, is it is probably less stable in a windy environment - more apt to blow away, unlike the hard frame panels that stay in place even in a big wind.
That’s really cool. I remember having read about someone having a line of LED lights - you must have mentioned it before. That sounds like a really nice way My son is working on some tech-y LED lights. If they work out, I’ll post about them. The thing I particularly like about your setup is the removeable wall between the horse and human areas. I think I’ll utilize that idea sometime - something more along the lines of a second wall that slides back once the horses are unloded. I like all the little cool things that can be done - lol.
