Some questions on using solar.

We have 400w solar on the roof and another portable 100 in storage, 2K invertor and run most everything off of the original 2-12v batteries. The batteries are typically at or above 13v by the time I wake up in the morning. My 7 year old batteries are getting weak and to avoid any overnight furnace issues I’m contemplating 2- 6v or stick with 2-12v.
Either way, “AC running off of batteries” is your question. How to charge the required huge battery bank is the solar comment. IMO it’s better to just use Gen for AC.

Solar is king for boondocking.
Generators are for running AC.

Solar works in the shade, though not as good as in full sun, but you will get power in the shade, and even heavy shade has some daylight making it through.
If you will always be in the shade then simply install more panels to make up for lack of full sun.

To run AC off solar will require a large RV roof completely full of panels, and then you still might need extra panels, and then you can only run it in the daylight.
To have enough batteries to run an AC at night is just non-sense. Use the generator. Spend money to have a silent running gen instead of a ridiculous amount of panels.
You would also want the more efficient split AC units, not the RV roof ACs.

For boondocking you must adapt boondocking practices.
Use propane instead of eletricity. Use power sparingly. Use large consuming things early in the day when there is light and when there is time to recharge the batts that you wasted on high-electrical need items.

Your furnace fan will eat up batteries at night. Can your batteries run a furnace all night? Can you use a Buddy heater? These have their own set of issues though.

I only have 200 watts of solar and only two batteries. I rarely have need for more.

rbpru wrote:
Most of the time we camp with electricity. But a few times a year we go to music festivals or other events that are non-electric, plus and occasional boondock trip.

I am not a fan of generators but the only other option seems to be solar.

The other option is to install a larger battery and park in the deep shade.

Old wizard,

I believe you are correct. Unless the wife wants to commit to a solar friendly camping approach or she really wants to boondock, my best short term solution is my "quiet generator".

I cannot really complain, the wife and I spent the better part of 20 years taking the kids and grandkids wilderness canoe camping in MN. A canoe and tent were our RV and we have many great memories.

When the kids and grandkid scattered about the country and I finally retired, we opted for more creature comforts. Still, it is nice to take an occasional boondock trip to answers the call of the wild.

Fans usually work great overnight. Even better if you can find a USB powered one or a 12V.

We do have solar, and it works for most of our boondocking or overnight parking without hookups, but occasionally we'll be in a situation where running the AC is unavoidable. You'd need a couple thousand invested in a lithium battery bank to do it for a couple hours. Or, you can run the generator...

This is why I invested in quiet Honda generators, and not one of the $500 chain store specials...

For just the air conditioner, a single Honda EU2000i works fine, although I do flip the breaker to our converter off. Outside, is barely noticeable above the noise of the air conditioner unit running. Inside, the noise is undetectable.

“My question is how many people find solar practical for short term vacation travel?”

Absolutely practical. I don’t like my generator’s noise or that from neighbors’ generators. My solar system almost always fully recharges my batteries daily. Careful campsite selection gives me enough shade and sunlight. If I’m in an area where the only comfortable place is inside my TT with the AC on, I go camp elsewhere. PS...panels don’t power anything. They recharge batteries.

rbpru wrote:
Most of the time we camp with electricity. But a few times a year we go to music festivals or other events that are non-electric, plus and occasional boondock trip.

IMHO, solar, batteries and an inverter are not for you !

Park in the shade. Live with a small generator. Replace you current battery with two 6V golf carts batteries. Use 12V fans for overnight.

I need AC both for heat reduction and humidity reduction. places like cincinnati can be 70 degrees and still miserable.
bumpy

Camp where it is cooler. At least where it will cool off at night. Upgrade your stock ceiling vent fan to move the hot air out in the evening/overnight. Don't hang out in the RV during the heat of the day. If you camp in a clearing of trees you may get enough solar but the shade will come earlier in the afternoon. Same if you camp east of a mountain you will not have late afternoon direct sun.

If I need A/C at night I am looking for hookups.