03-30-2026, 11:18 AM
I'm glad there is experience here to guide those trekking down the off grid path. As mentioned I'm 100% off the pole and generator except after several days of too little solar production - multiple foggy days, gray overcast, rain, etc. Given our mantra - "chasing 70", we rarely resort to backup power generation. In fact, the 7k Generac acted up one too many times so it got pulled and replaced with a quiet 3k gas portable for those rare instances. A couple hours provide sufficient charge for a day or two.
A new generation inverter compressor refrigerator abates excessive power drain. Led lighting all around, ditching any halogen or incandescents checks that off. Hot water gobbles power. Electric is the only option to avoid consuming fuel, diesel or propane. I pull about 1400 watts to heat water for the day, it is off the remainder of the day. AC via mini-splits works, again not a large drain since hot weather means the coach is heading north.
Without AC on the roof, there's plenty of real estate for panels and lenty of basement space for lithiums.. At worst case, a roll around AC can provide relief or the backup generator.
Heating is via a webasto hydronic system and that would rollover to the Aquahot. Since we only heat in the morning to take the chill off, I'll probably use electric for hot water.
Newells do incur added "parasitic" drain as mentioned above but short term, periodic draw doesn't feel like adding much to the overall daily consumption. Any field energy audit data on all these things is welcome.
A new generation inverter compressor refrigerator abates excessive power drain. Led lighting all around, ditching any halogen or incandescents checks that off. Hot water gobbles power. Electric is the only option to avoid consuming fuel, diesel or propane. I pull about 1400 watts to heat water for the day, it is off the remainder of the day. AC via mini-splits works, again not a large drain since hot weather means the coach is heading north.
Without AC on the roof, there's plenty of real estate for panels and lenty of basement space for lithiums.. At worst case, a roll around AC can provide relief or the backup generator.
Heating is via a webasto hydronic system and that would rollover to the Aquahot. Since we only heat in the morning to take the chill off, I'll probably use electric for hot water.
Newells do incur added "parasitic" drain as mentioned above but short term, periodic draw doesn't feel like adding much to the overall daily consumption. Any field energy audit data on all these things is welcome.