RT ss Agile generator or alternator with 2500 watt inverter?

Will NOT run A/C, unless you have about 40/50 btrys. JMO

The inverter can, it's the batteries behind it that can't. You need at least 6 batteries to run an air, but for only 20 minutes.

I doubt that it could drive the A/C and even if it could he would need a trailer to haul the additional batteries. :)
Personally, I would always opt for a generator. I have a Honda 2K gen. and it will only run my 7500 BTU A/C and nothing else. If I were buying a new RV, class B, it would have an Onan 2800KW gen

Will the 2500 watt inverter run the microwave? If not, what would the point of that $2700 option?

Hi,

Is the inverter being powered by the alternator?

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Is the inverter being powered by the alternator?

Yep, thats part of the $2700 upgrade. From what I understand the engine is running and the 2500 watt inverter is powering everything. Maybe I wasn't clear. So, with that said maybe it could power the A/C?

What you are talking about is the new Roadtrek engine generator. This will run the A/C and the microwave and works with the van engine idling. This is available for both gas (Chevy) and diesel (Sprinter) Roadtreks and replaces or is installed instead of the Onan 2800 watt generator which is independent of the van engine and runs on gas or propane. The engine generator is usually combined with a large capacity inverter and additional batteries or solar panels. The Onan doesn't need the inverter. The engine generator and batteries/inverter is a scaled down version of what is standard on the Etrek.

1: Get the Onan. Even though RT touts the "engine generator", running a Sprinter at idle, especially a new model, can get you a clogged diesel particulate filter, which is a $3200 expense. Plus, it is better to put the wear and tear on a generator than your vehicle's engine.

The inverter won't run the AC or microwave, but it is nice to have when late at night and wanting to plug stuff in to have it charge, or use an electric shaver.

2: Roadtrek has an extremely good name. You really can't go wrong with a RT model, but make sure you get the right floorplan. The CS Adventurous can go with a lot of the E-Trek's features, but still have a propane generator.

As for #1, Roadtrek is the top dog with sales, but Airstream is nipping at their heels, as per the figures on the class B forum.

PS: Is this a SS Agile as per the title? I'm not sure if the "engine generator" is available on this model. It might be. So, it would be a very good idea to get it with the onboard Onan regardless.

I was just looking at the RT line, did not see an all-electric option on the Agile.

The E-Trek has the capability to run everything through its large inverter, leaving the diesel engine running as a power source for heavy loads like A/C. Battery bank is big enough for short term use of other heavy loads like microwave, running the engine remains as backup. It is an interesting idea just now, because truckers used to do this all the time, but several jurisdictions have outlawed extended idling, forcing carriers to install auxilary gensets. But for now, private vehicles may be exempt for rules that try to make truckers more environmentally responsible, whether the choices are better or not.

There's an all electric option for some Chevy models, more battery, bigger alternators, and a large inverter, and there is an all electric entry level model operating at 1250w, neither will run A/C long, the smaller one not at all.

I couldn't find a similar option for the Agile, but maybe it is just not in the brochures yet. What it would have to be would be E-trek in Agile size, maybe not as many batteries, depending on whether or not they can be fit and the weight carried by a smaller Sprinter.

I don't think there is any place in the US that has a law against extended idling except for commercial vehicles, and I believe that is only in certain places, like cities, parks, maybe rest stops, etc.
This good change, but it would most likely only be in certain areas like those mentioned above.