I Think Were Getting an Airstream

[Paul Canaris]

Looks like were getting back into RVing after a 15 year hiatus due to careers.
Were retired now and want to travel while we physically still can. We were up at DFW of Fort Worth a week ago looking at Airstreams and getting sticker shock. Wife kept insisting she wanted a Globetrotter, I was rooting for a Flying Cloud.

So our salesperson called today and we went up to look at a 2020 Globetrotter that had a few small upgrades for good measure. Unit was in nice shape.
A few small exterior scratches and two or so tiny dents. Some loose screws on fixtures inside, a cracked mirror and a little of this and a little of that all of which they will correct at asking price. Anyways, it seemed a not bad price. So Saturday we go and purchase.
I asked about getting an external generator for those out of campsite nights.
Lease service tech said we would be better off getting a higher rated inverter and two Patriot "Game Changer (260ah)" Lithium Ion batteries to add to the two existing 100 ah patriots. Wife REALLY NEEDS AC when she sleeps; you do the math ; plus two soft-start modules.
We looked over the unit closely, and added a few things to the fix-it list. The service department are going to do a systems check and fix anything else needed. Is there anything you might suggest we watch out for when we go to look the unit over before signing on the line.

[Bubba L]

I hope y’all get what you want and are happy. Good luck and be safe.

[69Westy]

Sounds like a nice rig. On the lithiums, AC is a huge electrical draw and I’d determine how long you would be able to run the AC’s off the lithium batteries. Also, once they’re drawn down how are they being recharged and how long to fully recharge. Good luck!

[pcskier]

I did the math. Even with the extra batteries, running AC more than a couple hours is not realistic. One AC unit will take around 15 amps to run. Let’s even say 12. That’s 12 amps of AC current, which is 120 amps of inverted DC current from the batteries. 5 hours of AC is 600 ah—-pretty much cleaning out your battery capacity of 720 amp hours assuming they are all charging to their full potential.

The dealer is giving you very, very poor advice and is extremely uninformed. You’d be better off skipping the extra batteries and buying a generator in the 2200-3000 watt range to run one AC unit, and charge your batteries when the sun is not out. Assuming that you prefer camping without hookups. I am assuming the unit has solar panels?

Good luck and welcome to the tribe.

[Andy543]

Even worse, once the outside temperature gets into the 90s you're going to need two air conditioners, so no, you can't do it with batteries.

[Boxite]

These Previous Posts!! ^^^^^^^^^

The dealer is likely “selling” ….not properly advising. You need a quiet, inverter-generator. The Hondas are the acknowledged Best…but the name-brand copies are also excellent.

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by Boxite

These Previous Posts!! ^^^^^^^^^

The dealer is likely “selling” ….not properly advising. You need a quiet, inverter-generator. The Hondas are the acknowledged Best…but the name-brand copies are also excellent.

This plus all the former posts.

[Hans627]

Having more batteries is helpful for general use but you will definitely need a generator for A/C. I have 400 ah of lithium batteries but I also have a Honda 2200i generator.

When doing the pre-signing inspection make sure all the systems work. If you could get a copy of Rich Luhr's book (https://www.amazon.com/Airstream-Lif.../dp/0983345848) and become familiar with the specifics of maintenance it would be helpful.

All the best and post some pictures.

[SYC2Vette]

We have two Honda 2200i that are setup to run in tandem. For our single 13,500 A/C and running generators on propane it takes both to run the A/C even at low altitude and with "soft-start". If you want A/C off-grid you need generator(s).

[Acheron2010]

your simply not going to be able to run AC all night without a generator or a camp with electricity. Back when I was shopping for an Airstream, I also wanted a Globetrotter. Then a wise sales person said to me, "You know, at their core, all Airstreams are Flying Clouds." I walked by the fancy trim and accessories and got the Flying Cloud. Before you sign, do not be aftaid to call Colonial Airstream in New Jersey for a price quote. Lots of Texans made that journey and it was well worth it. Ask for Patrick.

[WillC]

welcome to the Forum ! Enjoy your Airstream and retirement.

[SallyForth]

I agree that while a sizable lithium battery bank and a larger inverter are useful. it's not practical to run the AC off the inverter for longer stretches.

A quiet portable generator is a plus.

But, that trailer has wheels and you can choose to camp where the temperature is cooler -- at least in the evenings.

We dry camped at altitude up in the mountains west-northwest of Red Lodge, Montana for a week in August and it was delightful -- almost chilly at night. As the same time in the valley south of the Beartooth Pass, on the road Cody, the temperature were in the mid-90s during the day.

[Saluda372]

Congrats & enjoy. Get a good demo and walk through. Any warranty included ?

[Paul Canaris]

We decided to table the battery and generator for at least first year of ownership. Will give us more time to see what we actually need.

[Nelson428]

Welcome and congratulations on your retirement. Enjoy this new adventure.

[Genebuilder]

Airforums offer some great advice, expert how to do and thoughtful what not to do.

If you haven’t made the purchase yet, spend time and wander through the many forum threads that offer real life experiences of people and their Airstreams.

It may have a profound influence on your buying decision.

[DCPAS]

Originally Posted by SYC2Vette

We have two Honda 2200i that are setup to run in tandem. For our single 13,500 A/C and running generators on propane it takes both to run the A/C even at low altitude and with "soft-start". If you want A/C off-grid you need generator(s).

That's interesting because that has not been my experience. If I turn the fridge and water heater to gas, our 2200i will run one of our 13.5's without issue. And that's running on propane. If the OP has an electric fridge, something bigger that one 2200 may be needed.

[SallyForth]

Originally Posted by SYC2Vette

We have two Honda 2200i that are setup to run in tandem. For our single 13,500 A/C and running generators on propane it takes both to run the A/C even at low altitude and with "soft-start". If you want A/C off-grid you need generator(s).

Odd, I can run our AC with a single Honda EU2000i using the battery / inverter assist function of our Victron 12/3000/120 Inverter / Charger.

I set the Inverter to take only 15 Amps from the generator and "assist" those amps with more as needed from batteries using the Victron Inverter / Charger assist function.

When the AC cycles off, the generator is solely replenishing the batteries.

We do not have a soft-start.

[foobar]

I can run either the 15Kbtu or the 13.5Kbtu a/c using a single EU2200i "with" soft starts installed on both a/c units. The EU2200i can source up to 2200 watts for long enough for the a/c units to start up, and settle down to their steady state current demand.

I don't use the multiplus II assist mode, but it is an option.

Nothing else can be running on the 120v supply though.

Our fridge runs off the 12v supply, so that is not a concern.

[Chumbucket]

If she needs AC just look for full hookups instead of beefing up the battery bank. Congrats on the find and purchase!