Off the grid power?

[Marthagr1]

Hi AS people! Looking for helpful hints for what power source people in a 30’ Classic are using? Thinking of heading out west and with two AC units, not sure what’s most effective when off the grid. Thank you!😀

[tvketchum]

We use solar, open windows and awnings. If you want A/C, you might want to rethink. Most people who go off the grid really don’t want to listen to generators.......

[mfrez]

I agree with the previous post. We live in CO and travel in the West. We try to time our visits to places where AC is not needed. Hotter places we go in the shoulder seasons. Low humidity out here reduces the need for air. We find having 2 Maxairr vent fans, as well as a Vornado metal desk fan inside, along with our 3 awnings, almost eliminates the need for AC. We have a Zamp 190 watt factory solar package and almost never need to use our generator. For 2 AC's you would need one beast of a generator and nobody out here wants to listen to them.

[Bill M.]

Most efficient would be to stay on the grid.

Off the grid you will need to add as much power as you use,. Either solar or generator. Small gen or solar for lights, frig, water pump, fan. Medium gen For 1 AC or heat pump. Big generator for both AC units. A 3500 or so Honda in the truck bed is fairly common in the South. Some people double up home power backup and camping with one generator.

I think generators cost less and provide more reliable power than solar.

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by Marthagr1

Hi AS people! Looking for helpful hints for what power source people in a 30’ Classic are using? Thinking of heading out west and with two AC units, not sure what’s most effective when off the grid. Thank you!😀

Hello from the Pacific Northwest. When you say West, what and where out West, big area w/a large range of environments. Alaska & PNW no AC needed. East of the Cascades yes some times AC, West of the Cascades no AC. The further you go South, yes on the AC.


To run AC, Honda generators are the best in our opinion. Super Quiet Series, a pair of EU2200i or 1 each EU200i & 1 each EU2000ia Companion in parallel will serve your needs. Under 2.5k and you are out the door. Great run time, db levels are under most TV db levels and you do not need a fork lift to lift them.........................


Safe travels and best regards

[gklott]

Originally Posted by tvketchum

We use solar, open windows and awnings. If you want A/C, you might want to rethink.

Agree. We carry a generator to charge batteries when the solar capability is reduced.

However, when we need AC, we use our two EU2000i in parallel. We prefer not to go this route.

73/gus

[VaTravelers]

I agree - try not to have to use your AC but if you do the Honda Eu2000s or Eu2200s are a great choice - for a lot of reasons (I know my comments will start a debate). You may want to consider a Micro Air Easy Start mod to your AC. It will allow you to run a single AC off one generator - lots of information on this on the forum.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

Most efficient would be to stay on the grid.

Off the grid you will need to add as much power as you use,. Either solar or generator. Small gen or solar for lights, frig, water pump, fan. Medium gen For 1 AC or heat pump. Big generator for both AC units. A 3500 or so Honda in the truck bed is fairly common in the South. Some people double up home power backup and camping with one generator.

I think generators cost less and provide more reliable power than solar.

I have been running two AC units with a Champion 3100 Inverter generator for three years now. Initial investment $ 900.00 . It weighs 80 lbs and is very quiet.
When we don't need AC like at Bryce one our favorite places, I run it an hour or so during the day maintaining the batteries .