Creating a No-Fuss DC Supply

Some thoughts: a generator and a solar panel are a bit like belts and suspenders.  It might be occasionally useful to have them both, but one or the other will do the same job.  The battery will be recharging anytime you are using the generator.

A 2000w generator might work or might not.  Yamaha makes a 2400w generator that runs my air con just fine.

Generators though are prohibited altogether in some areas of some campgrounds and they are often prohibited during quiet hours, which vary from campground to campground.  No air con at night, most likely.

Four to five days is probably not doable without a generator.  Solar is quiet and more passive but it isn't cheap and it depends on sunlight, which can be iffy in the shade of the trees in forest service campgrounds.  It would probably get you through a week of boondocking in a sunny campground but it won't run the air conditioner and it's just something else to fool with.

If you don't have LED lights already, make that switch.  No harm if the water pump switch is left on; it only runs on demand.  But that's another issue.  With 2 adults and 2 kids you will be pushing it to get through a week without more than the water and sewer on board.

TT

If air conditioning is a must have, then a generator is your only option. BUT, most campgrounds restrict their use at night. A 2400w is the minimum I would choose to be sure of starting the a/c.The generator can and will recharge the batteries while it runs.

I would.. well did, add a voltmeter rather than use the monitor panel, BUT the monitor panel doesn't care what batteries you have hooked up, or what configuration, as long as it is a "12volt" system. It simply reads the voltage. 2 12vs, or 2 6's.. it just goes by voltage. 2 6's usually get you more available aH's. If staying with 12v's, dual Group 27 batteries fit the factory rack/boxes, and have more aH's than Group 24's.

If the temps are mild, we can do 5 days plus on our dual Group 27 12v (never gone beyond 5 days.. hey, we got jobs..). If we need to run heat at night, we may lose a day or maybe two, depending on temps. Fridge and WH on gas, we have full LED lighting.

Also, here is a good link, some info is a little behind the times, but the main meat of the 12v world has been the same for a long time..

http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm

Originally posted by Outbound *(It is possible to use a 2000 watt generator if you swap out your A/C's start capacitor with a much bigger one *).*

Have you done this? That is very interesting. Maybe another thread on this...

Thanks

Thanks, Doug.  I've only "known" you for a short time...but you're the real deal.  Thanks for the information and for your kind demeanor in dealing with "new" people.  You remind me of some of the kind, helpful "Harley" people I grew up with, and not the "others".