Alternatives to generator for EPro

[GenericDad]

New to this forum, so apologies if this issue has been discussed a million times. I can't seem to find an existing thread that already discussed this issue directly!

I recently bought a 2024 Epro E20BHS and we've tried it out a few times. I found out pretty quickly that without power hookup, there is minimal power to run anything in the trailer. It came with only one 100AH battery and a small solar panel on top. I decided to buy a Honda duel fuel generator for when we don't have hookup. then I discovered that in CA they are no longer available for purchase in 2025! So, I need to find the best alternative or I can take a day trip out of state to buy a generator.

So, what is my best option to run as much of the electric inside as possible for a couple of days with no hookup? Should I buy 2 lithium batteries to increase power storage and maybe a decent suitcase solar charger? Or are there other, better alternatives to a fuel generator?

 

[bikendan]

Moved thread from the Modifications and Updates section to the Electrical, Charging Systems and Solar sub-forum since the OP's questions are specific to that particular sub-forum and not the Modifications and Updates section.

 

[pgandw]

In my not-so-humble opinion, you are jumping at solutions without an analysis of the problem.

How many nights do you plan on spending at campsites with no electrical? In California, almost all commercial campgrounds have hookups. State and national parks, not so much.

What equipment inside the camper do you need to operate without electrical hookups? Air conditioning is almost impossible for a smaller camper, unless you use a generator. Microwave is more practical with a battery/inverter arrangement.

The big elephant in the room is your fridge (used to be the propane heater). Do you have a 12v only fridge (compressor) or a dual or 3 way fridge that will run quite happily on very little propane? In other words, how much electrical power do you need per average day in amp-hours (AH)? You really need an electrical budget to plan the solution.

Cheapest solution is to add battery capacity. Today's cheap LiFePO4 batteries are actually cheaper than golf cart batteries for the same capacity. 2nd cheapest is adding solar. But solar only produces in the sunshine, not much in the shade, dusk, or night. If you camp in the shade, solar gets you very little.

Generator is the most expensive but most flexible option. But be aware many campgrounds limit generator usage to certain hours.

In my case, my A-frame has the older LP gas fridge (with 12V and 120V options). My goal was to get my usage down to 20AH per day in the Colorado mountains. This allowed me to use 2 80AH lead acid batteries to cover 4 nights before battery, water, and food in the fridge was running low. I switched to to 2 GC-2 (golf cart) batteries which gave me 100AH usable. When those went dead this year, I switched to a 160AH LiFePO battery for yet another small boost in battery available. But ideally, I should change out the converter to an 8735AD so that the battery can be fully charged by the converter. But current converter charges battery to 90% after 24hrs, then I shut the battery off and run camper off converter. If there's no shore power, I have at least 5 days/4 nights out of the battery.

Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2022 Hyundai Palisade

 

[Aussieguy]

I can camp almost indefinitely for 12v use with 740w of solar panels and 200ah of lithium battery I use fridge and furnace plus all 12v stuff like slides , lights and water pump.

There may be a time when a long term rain spell might not recharge the battery… but I have about 3 days worth of power to give me plenty of time to find a power point

If the weather is lousy you’ll probably want to move

Look at your roof … decide what panels you can put up there
600-800w will even allow some small inverter usage …if you want

Your results may vary depending on local conditions…. Afternoon shade after charging is completed is preferred

If you need to run air conditioner…. You really best to use a generator or shorepower

 

[bikendan]

A generator is completely necessary if doing summer camping, at California State Park campgrounds since less than 1% of their campsites have hookups of any kind. Even on the coast.

 

[GenericDad]

Thanks for the advice. I might go 4 days at most, mostly State Parks so that's why I wouldn't always have a hookup. In terms of what I need the power for, it'll be the fridge (I think 12V only), water pump, lights, TV, charging ports, and a coffee maker. I can do without the microwave.

So, I guess buying a couple of lithium batteries is the first thing that will get me most bang for my buck. Then look at adding additional solar panels on the roof? Should I go 2x100AH or spring for a single 280AH? I think both will fit in my little battery box

 

[Aussieguy]

Battery size will depend if you want to use inverter as well as the 12v

I camp quite well without inverter
Use percolator on stove for coffee an iPad for entertainment

I chose 2 x 100ah because if one broke I can still power the trailer off the other

You can probably modify the tongue area to hold 2 batteries in a large battery box or even a toolbox from harbor freight


I chose to put my batteries in the passthough (under bed) took about an hour to move the wiring and install some tiedown straps

 

[GenericDad]

I'd like the ability to use the inverter if I can. Sounds like bigger is always better? I'll take a look at moving the batteries if I need more storage. I think there is plenty of free space under the bed.

So, will it just be a straight battery replacement if I get a 280AH or is there any other hurdle involved in swapping it for my current one.

I watched a few videos on adding panels to the roof, but that might be a project for another day, depending on how it goes with the new battery. Basically, I just need a cup of coffee in the morning and some lights on while I watch TV at night. And it sounds like the fridge is what was draining my power in the current set up

 

[Aussieguy]

My 200 ah will power the fridge for 60 hours keeping the doors closed as much as possible

If you want inverter then you have to decide what you want to power at the same time… microwaving dinner while watching tv and the wife is drying her hair requires a good sized inverter
If you can limit the power usage to only one biggie 120v item at a time you can get a smaller inverter

I bought my battery first … and installed it but pretty much straight away decided to get the solar… made no sense to have decent battery but still had to run to a power point

Look at the bigger residential sized panels first …..to see if you can fit a couple of them
They are a lot cheaper
My 370w panels were 40 inches wide so 2 fitted side by side
I can still add another set of 200w panels if I need to

 

[bikendan]

Thanks for the advice. I might go 4 days at most, mostly State Parks so that's why I wouldn't always have a hookup. In terms of what I need the power for, it'll be the fridge (I think 12V only), water pump, lights, TV, charging ports, and a coffee maker. I can do without the microwave.

So, I guess buying a couple of lithium batteries is the first thing that will get me most bang for my buck. Then look at adding additional solar panels on the roof? Should I go 2x100AH or spring for a single 280AH? I think both will fit in my little battery box

As a longtime resident of California and state firefighter(before I retired and left), I camped primarily at California State Park campgrounds, for over 35 years.

As I mentioned, in my previous post, less than 1% of their campsites have electric hookups. So having a generator was necessary, if camping in the summer. Unless you camped on the coast, north of Mendocino.
The 12v only fridge will be your biggest draw unless you run the furnace.
By battery box, do you mean the cheap plastic one that the dealer includes with the cheap 12v dual-purpose marine Group 24 battery, then NO, you can't fit two batteries in there.

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

Those models have 12v refrigerators which you've discovered drain the batteries.
The LiFePO batteries are your best solution because they can be discharged without damaging the battery.

If you're looking for another generator, consider the dual fuel generators that run on gas/propane. You already have propane tanks on your rig and while running on propane puts out slightly less power, you don't have to worry about hauling gas or carburetor maintenance.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[GenericDad]

I hear you about getting a generator, and honestly that was my first thought. However, as far as I can tell, it's quickly becoming outdated. Already, fuel generators are simply not available for sale in CA and I don't think it will be too long before they are outlawed completely. Maybe planning to add more solar on the roof and a couple of big batteries under the bed will get me where I want to be, especially since I won't be without power for any more than a few days and my power needs are not that high anyway.

Thanks for all the help. This is my first RV and I'm just learning the ropes slowly by making mistakes and trying to correct them! If I spent a few hours on this forum before getting an RV I would have been better prepared

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

I hear you about getting a generator, and honestly that was my first thought. However, as far as I can tell, it's quickly becoming outdated. Already, fuel generators are simply not available for sale in CA and I don't think it will be too long before they are outlawed completely.

If fuel generators are not an option and you find that you need a generator for off grid camping, you might want to look into a solar generator that has an rv power cord port. They are basically a large battery that can usually be recharged by solar, car power port, or ac at home.
They are a bit pricey and you probably won't need one, but I think they are the future power options.

 

[Aussieguy]

Modifying tongue to accept more battery

You may not be able to put 2 batteries BETWEEN the frame rails but you can modify the frame so battery boxes can be mounted above the frame

Just get 2 pieces of angle iron welded to top of frame a then place two plastic boxes side by side…. Strap them in securely

You can also look at harbor freight toolbox that sits on top of the frame. It can just be bolted to frame with “U” bolt toe fasteners

It’s lockable and should hold a couple of batteries
Find the sizes of the battery you like and double check if it will fit

Plenty of options are available to secure the batteries inside or on the tongue…

By battery box, do you mean the cheap plastic one that the dealer includes with the cheap 12v dual-purpose marine Group 24 battery, then NO, you can't fit two batteries in there

 

[henrypretz]

I think that LiFePo4 batteries would be a must as a first step. 2x 100ah should fit in an OEM battery tongue box. There are "mini" sized larger capacity units out there too. Just depends on what will fit and what you want to spend.
If you're not ready to go "all in" on mounting solar panels you could go with a portable suitcase style panel that will plug into the "solar on the side" port on your EPro. You'll need to get one with a solar charge converter or add one in the line. Here's an example of a Renogy plug and play unit.
As for a generator, there are still dual fuel units for sale in California, just not the Honda. If you are set on a Honda, then I'd take a camping trip to a state where you can buy one and purchase there.
Here's a Champion dual fuel inv/gen that is CARB compliant. People seem to like these as a lower cost alternative to the Honda.
Another alternative, as mentioned above is a portable power station. It's pretty much a big ol' LiFePo4 battery with built in inverter. They are expensive (getting cheaper though), but an all in one alternative that will allow you to plug your shore cord directly into and run everything in your camper (except the AC) for as long as the internal battery will last. They can also be recharged via solar. We have one and it works well as a part of our bag of tricks. We have an older version of this (much cheaper now than when we got ours, but that's the story of my life)
So, you have options. I would camp a few times to get the feel for what will work best for your use case. Maybe borrow or rent a generator to check that out.
Definitely start with the battery(s) though. A single lead acid battery would work fine if you always camped with hookups, but pretty much any amount of dry camping might frustrate you (as it did us)

Good luck!

 

[GenericDad]

That was all super helpful. Thanks! I've bought a LiFePo4 battery. I'm going to check out the generators that are compliant in CA based on Henry's recommendation (I thought they were all outlawed) and also look at my solar options. One or the other should do the trick!

 

[kipkohl]

We added a 200w panel to our GeoPro 20BHS for a total of 390w. Replaced stock batteries with LiFePO4 and moved them off the tongue into the pass-through on a platform above the inverter. LIFePO4’s are lighter and have higher capacity per unit of weight. Moving them off the tongue closer to the fulcrum (wheels) might help reduce tongue weight, but it’s probably minimal.