jornvango wrote:
We carry a 2000W Yamaha generator and only have to use it when we plug-in our electrical heater but going forward we would like to run everything on battery power while we boondock: fridge, water heater, water pump, phone charging, laptop charging ... and potentially the electrical heater or regular furnace if battery power is sufficient.
As we start our research, are there any good websites we should be looking at? Any brands that come recommended or are to be avoided?
I can't recall many people using electrical heaters while off-grid, and running generator for that. Normally, it's either a propane heater or furnace, either one has its merits and demerits. Water heater people normally run on propane, while off-grid.
I don't see any high-current devices mentioned - like microwave. If this is the case, to run a furnace part of the evening, plus all other loads that you mentioned, in Az in winter/spring/fall you need 300W solar and 200-300 AH battery bank. With a truck camper you might consider AGM batteries.
Again, without high-current loads, in Az in winter/fall/spring with 300W solar you will rarely need a generator and with 400W you can leave generator home. Replacing old bulbs with LED is highly recommended, simple and inexpensive way to improve your energy budget. Replacing furnace with catalytic heater will also save a lot of energy, but there are pros and cons to this, and occasional furnace run is feasible on a small solar if you can tolerate its noise and dust blown around.
I can't say about any brands to avoid or otherwise. First you need to decide on max solar size and whether batteries will be flooded or AGM.
