Need simple, sound advice

[Mpraph]

We’re headed out west this fall for a 2 month trip pulling a 22’ trailer. We want to boondock for a significant amount of time. We’ve read a lot of info and watched many YouTubes and are more confused than ever. We are not terribly handy so whatever we do has to be simple. We want to be able to use appliances that run on 110v at times, hopefully including AC.

We see 3 options:
1. Gas powered inverter generator
2. Lithium battery
3. 100-200 watt solar panels (suitcase/portable)…also understand we would need a larger inverter with this

What option will work best for our needs?

Thank you so much.

Megan

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by Mpraph

What option will work best for our needs?

Generator

Bruce

[SmackIt]

What's your budget?

Solar + LiFePO4 batteries + 3000w inverter = $5000-$10,000 installed.
Generator + AC Soft Starter = $700 - $1500 depending on what you get.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Mpraph

We’re headed out west this fall for a 2 month trip pulling a 22’ trailer. We want to boondock for a significant amount of time. We’ve read a lot of info and watched many YouTubes and are more confused than ever. We are not terribly handy so whatever we do has to be simple. We want to be able to use appliances that run on 110v at times, hopefully including AC.



We see 3 options:

1. Gas powered inverter generator

2. Lithium battery

3. 100-200 watt solar panels (suitcase/portable)…also understand we would need a larger inverter with this



What option will work best for our needs?



Thank you so much.



Megan

What type of appliances are you wanting to use and is the a/c 13.5k or 15k?
My vote is for an inverter generator because you want to run the a/c.
You actually only have 2 options, since lithium battery, solar panels and large inverter are a single package. And this option will NOT run the a/c for more than a few minutes and your battery will be exhausted.
Solar is a limited source of power. All it does is recharge the batteries. It doesn't run anything directly.

[TitanMike]

Since you want to use A/C that will almost require a generator unless you also want to invest in a LOT of Lithium batteries and large inverter. Those batteries will need to be charged so again, generator or LOTS of Solar.

With this in mind I'd start with a generator. Either a single generator that can run your A/C without modifications (3,000-3500 watt inverter type), a single 2200-2500 watt inverter type generator with modification to your A/C (Micro Air EZ start for ~$300) or a pair of 2,000-2500 watt inverter generators that can be hooked in parallel. On the last option you can run one or both generators depending on power demand.

With the EZ-Start installed on your A/C only one small generator will be needed but with two running you can run A/C, Microwave, and charge batteries, all at the same time.

I'd just start with a generator and see if it meets your needs. From there look at battery upgrades, Inverter, Solar. See how long you really boondock or if you really enjoy it before investing a lot of money. It can be expensive if you want to have all the amenities you have when camping at a full hookup site.

Next to address will be carrying extra water and being able to get rid of waste without breaking camp. That comes later.

[PhilFromMaine]

The air conditioner criteria radically ups your expenses. Do you really need it for Fall-Winter travel?

Simplicity? Get a generator, but you will have to put up with noise and obtaining fuel. Plus, possibly some neighbors will deem you persona non grata

Solar and lithium batteries go hand in hand. My estimate for solar is different from Smackit's. I have 490 watts of portable solar panels, 300 AH of lithium, solar controller-DC-DC charger from my truck alternator, and a 2200 watt inverter. I estimate that I paid 3000 dollars. I put it together myself. My system will not run my 1500 watt air conditioner.

[sjohnstoncpa]

We made a similar trip out west 3 years ago in a 22' TT. My advice - get an inverter/generator large enough to handle your a/c and a gas can. It will be a lot easier to use and the initial cost will be a lot cheaper.

[REL]

Buy a generator.

[rsdata]

Get a 3000-3500 watt inverter generator... there are several models in the under $1000 price range. Downside is that this size generator will weigh 100-110
# and although they are sometimes on wheels lifting into tow vehicle or trailer is a problem

You could buy two 2,000 watt models along with a kit to parallel them to give you a total of 4,000 watts... Upside... you can run any AC unit plus other appliances at the same time AND they are each under 50# so easier to lift and move... downside is you will spend over $1000... maybe $1100. Without using the AC unit only one unit can be run for anything else other than the AC unit.

watch youtube videos for many comparisons of models

Solar is going to be much higher cost and much more complicated with many more chances of something not working right...

[Bhrava]

Champion 3500 weighs ~80 pounds with fuel and will run up to 15K AC with softstart. You can also build an extended run fuel system using an outboard motor fuel tank and some parts. I was able to run both my 15K AC on mine, though it was working pretty good to do so.

[5picker]

Simple, sound advice?... Inverter Generator!

[AlanMoor]

Here are some options:

• Get solar (200-400W) on the rooftop ($500 or so for 400W if you install it yourself)
• Get good batteries - I built a 280AH lithium battery for $700, but you don't have time for that - it takes 1-2 months to get the cells from China. You'll probably want to go with 6V golf cart batteries
• Rig your tow vehicle with a DC->DC system and better wiring so it charges more than just a few amps while you are towing.
• Get a battery monitor, like a Victron, so you can keep track of how your batteries are doing ($120)
• Get a 2000W+ generator (<$800)
• Get a softstart ($350) so your puny generator can run your A/C

You can use your genny when you want air conditioning and it will charge your batteries. When you are towing, your tow vehicle and solar will charge your batteries so you don't have to run your genny as much when you are camped.

[boondocking]

Forget the inverter for running the A/C
Get 1 pair of GC2 batteries and 200-300 watts of solar to keep them charged, a 2000+ watt inverter generator and a soft start for the A/C, a 400 watt inverter to charge the cell phone.

[rsdata]

We are not terribly handy so whatever we do has to be simple

simple is an inverter generator

NOT solar... and bigger batteries, like two golf cart batteries will HELP with more capacity then a single battery

[SmackIt]

Without answering the first question about budget, why bother overwhelming this person with options?

[boondocking]

Originally Posted by SmackIt

Without answering the first question about budget, why bother overwhelming this person with options?

Did I miss something here?
I didn't see anything about the OP's first question, budget.
She asked for options.

[Beachbourbon]

If you want to easily run everything at all times including the AC, you need a generator. Solar will not run AC and batteries will not run AC. Get a firman, Honda, predator, Yamaha, champion, Westinghouse or general inverter generator and go have fun.

TIP: since you are not handy, consider getting your generator from Costco because of the excellent return policy.

[MtBiker]

U it will be fall. You won't need a big generator as you will not need the AC.
Get a 2000 watt generator and run it as needed.

[chriscowles]

If money permits I suggest 1) a 2KW inverter generator, 2) a ~100Ah LiFePO4 battery and an upgraded converter (together), and 3) a Microair EasyStart, in that order.

You're camping. Except the A/C and microwave, everything else has a totally acceptable non-AC workaround. If you adapt you can reduce the time you have to run the generator. NB: you can't run it if you're not there.

The LFP battery is an advantage because it charges much faster than lead-acid and you can use all of its charge capacity. The converter is required if yours is not Li-compatible. Your dealer can swap it out if you can't find a friend to do it. It's really not hard. A solar charge system would make the upgraded converter unnecessary but that seems outside the scope of what you can manage.

The Easystart makes it easier for your 2KW inverter generator to run reliably.

[flyflotrtim]

Originally Posted by REL

Buy a generator.

2x that is your only option if you truly need to run the A/C