living without a generator

Icky wrote:
I disconnected the generator in my Sportsmobile Sprinter many years ago and gave it away. Too much trouble. I have 2 group 27 batteries, large normal size 12 volt type. The inverter is a 3000 watt unit. The fridge is a DC 4 cu ft model. I boondock a lot. The fridge will run about 3-4 days in the hot desert on battery alone. But since I start the engine every day or so, I usually don't discharge the battrys too deep. I have run the microwave many times with the van engine off, no problem. The Coleman roof air conditioner will run 30 min only on battery alone, so I don't do this often. The van has a "high idle" switch that holds the engine at 1600 rpm and it has a high output alternator (200Amps) installed. With the van engine running (way quieter that the old genset, but not as fuel efficient) on high idle, I have used the airconditioner continuously for many hours without running the batteries down. The AC normally cycles about 50% anyway. So yes its possible to operate without a genset. I would never even consider owning one again. Someday I will add a solar panel just for the fun of it.