Hello Everyone,
I am preparing my travel trailer for a 2-3 month road trip. A month or more will be in Mexico. This will be my first RV trip to Mexico and have been told by frequent Mexico travelers that many of the places I plan to visit will have power quality issues. Over/under voltage, frequent power failures and limited current hookups (10-15amps).
My last RV had an 8kw diesel generator, 2-8D batteries and a 2kw MSW inverter. I found that, in the absence of power hookup, running the generator for 45-60 minutes in the morning to accommodate heavy loads (hair dryer, coffee maker etc) and battery charging would keep me well supplied with power. I comfortably spent up to 3 weeks at a time without shore power. At that time diesel prices were under $1 a gallon.
My current rig is MUCH more basic. 3kw generator and a single group 27 deep cycle battery.
I was looking at adding a single 8D and a 1kw inverter. While looking around at inverters I stumbled across some very reasonably priced solar gear and thought "why not add 300-400 watts of solar capability to reduce generator runtime?".
Then my 6cubic foot propane fridge died. Replacement cost $1200..... I can fit a 10.7ft apartment fridge in the same space with minor cabinet mods. Cost $404.
I asked the fridge manufacturer for locked rotor and run current. Their response was "120volts@15 or 20amps". Not quite what I was looking for.... The Energy Guide for the fridge indicates 386kWh annually. A bit over 1kWh per day.
Now I am considering 500-600 watts of solar capacity and a400+ a/h battery bank and a 1500-2000watt PSW inverter.
My expectation is to greatly reduce generator runtime and support the refrigerator completely on days that I am away from the trailer.
What do you all think?
Thanks
Steve
I am preparing my travel trailer for a 2-3 month road trip. A month or more will be in Mexico. This will be my first RV trip to Mexico and have been told by frequent Mexico travelers that many of the places I plan to visit will have power quality issues. Over/under voltage, frequent power failures and limited current hookups (10-15amps).
My last RV had an 8kw diesel generator, 2-8D batteries and a 2kw MSW inverter. I found that, in the absence of power hookup, running the generator for 45-60 minutes in the morning to accommodate heavy loads (hair dryer, coffee maker etc) and battery charging would keep me well supplied with power. I comfortably spent up to 3 weeks at a time without shore power. At that time diesel prices were under $1 a gallon.
My current rig is MUCH more basic. 3kw generator and a single group 27 deep cycle battery.
I was looking at adding a single 8D and a 1kw inverter. While looking around at inverters I stumbled across some very reasonably priced solar gear and thought "why not add 300-400 watts of solar capability to reduce generator runtime?".
Then my 6cubic foot propane fridge died. Replacement cost $1200..... I can fit a 10.7ft apartment fridge in the same space with minor cabinet mods. Cost $404.
I asked the fridge manufacturer for locked rotor and run current. Their response was "120volts@15 or 20amps". Not quite what I was looking for.... The Energy Guide for the fridge indicates 386kWh annually. A bit over 1kWh per day.
Now I am considering 500-600 watts of solar capacity and a400+ a/h battery bank and a 1500-2000watt PSW inverter.
My expectation is to greatly reduce generator runtime and support the refrigerator completely on days that I am away from the trailer.
What do you all think?
Thanks
Steve
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