Generator vs Battery/Inverter/Solar
We have just purchased our first truck camper - a used 2007 Lance 845 and have a couple questions that I hope you can help us out with. The camper is still at the dealer and we're considering having a...
Forum Discussion
I can geek this subject forever. Basically:
-- Is it possible to have a camper that runs an induction cooktop, microwave, and air conditioning without a genset? Of course, I own one and you can read all about on my website. You can also download some white papers on various aspects of this - those papers, in turn, include links to good resources on the web, i.e., people who really know what they are talking about.
-- Can you do this with your used Lance? Probably not, at least not without spending some serious money.
The problem is that most of the RV industry designs their electrical systems for folks who plug in every night, not for folks like us who go months without plugging in.
The cost of converting an industry standard RV into an expedition/overland camper can be high. You will probably need to purchase:
-- A lot of 1/0 to 4/0 wire.
-- 200w or more of solar panels. (I have 500w)
-- 400Ah or more of batteries. (I have 600Ah.)
-- At least one 3000w inverter if you want air conditioning. (And even then, you won't be able to run a typical RV rooftop unit.)
For most folks, a 2000w genset is more cost effective, if more annoying for the neighbors.
However, not having a genset is wonderful and I would never change! ;)
-- Is it possible to have a camper that runs an induction cooktop, microwave, and air conditioning without a genset? Of course, I own one and you can read all about on my website. You can also download some white papers on various aspects of this - those papers, in turn, include links to good resources on the web, i.e., people who really know what they are talking about.
-- Can you do this with your used Lance? Probably not, at least not without spending some serious money.
The problem is that most of the RV industry designs their electrical systems for folks who plug in every night, not for folks like us who go months without plugging in.
The cost of converting an industry standard RV into an expedition/overland camper can be high. You will probably need to purchase:
-- A lot of 1/0 to 4/0 wire.
-- 200w or more of solar panels. (I have 500w)
-- 400Ah or more of batteries. (I have 600Ah.)
-- At least one 3000w inverter if you want air conditioning. (And even then, you won't be able to run a typical RV rooftop unit.)
For most folks, a 2000w genset is more cost effective, if more annoying for the neighbors.
However, not having a genset is wonderful and I would never change! ;)
