oregonrambler1 wrote:From talking to many on inverters, and listening to pro's in maintenance classes, most coaches with built-in inverters have supplementary charging systems, mainly solar panels. Appliances can be a huge drain on house batteries especially those that stay on for a predetermined amount of time, like coffee pots. It's just something we're used to at home and forget about in the RV. When we boondock we try minimizing electricity use. We start the generator, brew a pot, put that in a thermos, vacuum real quick -done. We also travel with an old fashioned perculator pot in case we don't want to disturb the neighbors. The rest of the day we're good. We don't watch TV, I usually have 2 or 3 books downloaded on the MP3 player for bedtime entertainment.
I actually replaced my generator with solar this past winter - so I need sun
But even with cloud cover, can get my batteries charged. Yes, I also added batteries - am up to 4 now. And to run things, need the inverter. Love it - clean and efficient. I do the heavy use things on the really good days - and early in the day - so that the sun can recharge everything.
When you boondock using the generator, you really need to run it an hour twice a day in most cases to keep the battery(ies) charged (if you aren't driving and charging them during the day). Longer if you have more batteries and have been doing things that drain them.
One of my pet peeves when boondocking is someone who starts their generator at unGodly hours (anything early is unGodly to me!) to simply make a pot of coffee. On Baja we would have a talk to those people if they came in and ruined our peace. And I was still using a generator, not solar at the time. I never considered using my generator before 9 am or after 9 or so pm when others were around. Just trying to be a good neighbor.
I, too, am always learning - but learned the most when I did my almost 2 year research before taking the plunge and getting the solar the way I did. Originally was going to simply augment the generator, etc. But instead replaced it! Maybe someday I'll see a need for one again - but if so, will go with a portable one, most likely - although my next coach will probably have one built in again. And I'll definitely keep up with solar no matter what coach I get next time. Love it.