Equip for Your Scenario
Up to lately with a 5er, camping in provincial parks in the winter off-grid, under the trees with no solar possible, and a two-hour time limit on generators 9-11am and 6-8pm (that one in the dark) usi...
Forum Discussion
I think the existing wiring back to the house batts will limit the amps to the batts, but I don't know by how much, similar to a converter's amps on typical RV wiring to a battery too far away. This could negate some of the advantage of a higher amp alternator, but the wiring paths could be improved.
This MH does not have a built-in gen, so that means portable. Interesting to compare the cost of say a 1000w Honda with a 40amp charger, vs a new alternator that can do 40 amps instead of 24 with the MH sitting there idling, plus better wiring to the house.
I also have the option of just taking along more batteries for a scenario of under a week away from home. Then I don't have to do anything. Any longer time off-grid with us means summer out in the open, so now the solar can do just about all of it, so again I don't have to anything.
So--back on topic---I have to sort out just what scenarios I need to equip for. This rig's layout allows for several different set-ups, so at least that is not a limitation like a TT's tongue limit or whatever.
BTW, the split battery banks with one doing inverter only and the other doing furnace, lights, etc worked great. No worries about running the bank down so the inverter would hit the 11v alarm.
I ran the "main bank" down as expected with lots of furnace, and the inverter bank stayed up where it could run the inverter no problem.
I was able to "control" that bank by choosing to boil water in a pot on the stove instead of using an electric kettle so much. Meant no threat of not being able to use the toaster or microwave as needed. Not much control over the main bank since the amount of furnace is not really optional unless you want to freeze to death :)
This MH does not have a built-in gen, so that means portable. Interesting to compare the cost of say a 1000w Honda with a 40amp charger, vs a new alternator that can do 40 amps instead of 24 with the MH sitting there idling, plus better wiring to the house.
I also have the option of just taking along more batteries for a scenario of under a week away from home. Then I don't have to do anything. Any longer time off-grid with us means summer out in the open, so now the solar can do just about all of it, so again I don't have to anything.
So--back on topic---I have to sort out just what scenarios I need to equip for. This rig's layout allows for several different set-ups, so at least that is not a limitation like a TT's tongue limit or whatever.
BTW, the split battery banks with one doing inverter only and the other doing furnace, lights, etc worked great. No worries about running the bank down so the inverter would hit the 11v alarm.
I ran the "main bank" down as expected with lots of furnace, and the inverter bank stayed up where it could run the inverter no problem.
I was able to "control" that bank by choosing to boil water in a pot on the stove instead of using an electric kettle so much. Meant no threat of not being able to use the toaster or microwave as needed. Not much control over the main bank since the amount of furnace is not really optional unless you want to freeze to death :)
