Adding batteries, inverter and solar into truck camper

Forgot to mention inverter. Again, this is something that should be considered after you've decided on your loads and battery bank. Charging laptop and phone doesn't require an inverter. For small 110V items like electric shaver or cordless drill any cheap inverter will do: MSW, $24.

If you have absolutely set your mind on AGM, there isn't much choice. Lifeline Concorde if you have tons of money, Decca for less money, Fullriver if you can get them cheap. Also, people reported good results with blue "kinda AGM" bought from surplus places. Everything else is mostly cr-ap.

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.

I would rule out using your HW heater or a ceramic heater off battery/solar right now. You would need a huge battery bank and mega solar for that. Otherwise 200-400w of solar and 2 good batts will keep all your lights, pump, furnace and the 12v fridge circuits running just fine as well as charging laptops/phones etc. HW heater and fridge on LP and your generator for microwave or other short term high amperage items.

Search for "members solar install" on here, lots of great threads to inspire your build.

daryll

Electrical heater powered by batteries charged with solar isn't practical IMO. Someday, maybe.