Off grid rv generator#

We donвЂ™t like generators because theyвЂ™re noisy, heavy, and need a fuel supply. Our 2014 F-350 Lariat and Grand Design Reflection 290BH in the Alabama Hills, CaliforniaД«y this point, we knew we loved the full-time RV lifestyle and wanted to set ourselves up to do it more comfortably for years to come. We also bought a bigger, more capable truck to pull it.

While quarantined, we got to talking and decided to upgrade from a travel trailer to a fifth wheel. When COVID-19 shut the country down in March, we parked our rig at KimвЂ™s parents in Utah and laid low for a couple months. Not ideal! Our site at Kirk Creek Campground in Big Sur That time, I had to use jumper cables to charge our 12 volt battery from the truck. In hindsight, the solar suitcase worked well for us except for a 4-day stint in Big Sur when the sun decided to quit shining. I detailed our initial experience with this product in another post.

Off grid rv generator#

Instead of getting a generator to charge up our battery, we got a Renogy 100-watt solar suitcase to start with. The bigger problem? Our 12 volt battery was always on the verge of dying from running the furnace at night (the blower fan uses a fair amount of electricity). When we disconnected from shore power, we werenвЂ™t able to use the AC outlets, TV, microwave, electric kettle, and outdoor fridge. One of the first hands-on lessons we learned was the difference between being connected to electric hookups in an RV park and running on a 12 volt battery while boondocking. Our mindset was to get started and figure things out along the way. When we took the leap and became full-time RVers in October 2019, we knew there would be upgrades down the road.