escapethecactus
Member
We are building a new 21C and I would appreciate some thoughts on our logic. We also have a few questions and aren't sure how best to proceed.
Our situation is:
Given we will be traveling in the summer, AC is a must for at least part of the day and in some regions. I am struggling to figure out our path forward given we have no experience. I am leaning towards the minimum and adding (or not) later.
I am thinking of the following:
So - my first question is can we install 400-800Ah+ with a 3,000W inverter and controllers in the traditional dinette? Presumably I would have to use both sides and route wires between benches? Could I put some equipment under the stove top?
We are also trying to decide on the fridge and AC.
We are leaning towards the compressor fridge since a lot of folks prefer it. We will have the 2-burner propane stove top. If we have a microwave, it'll be an inverter microwave we purchase and infrequently used. No tv - only phones, ipad, and two small laptops.
So - my second question is would the 2x 6v batteries be sufficient for the compressor fridge? Sounds like it would given we will not be full-time off grid and will have 600W solar. We will also be moving every few days. And if we upgrade to Lithium - no problem.
The AC is the tougher question. Both the Coleman Mach 10 NDQ and the Houghton are 13.5k BTU and require a 3,000W inverter to run off battery.
So - my third question is can I fit enough batteries in the 21C to run the AC? Is it a lost cause? I read conflicting info on the total amp usage. The specs say 10-15 amps but then people say you'll use an entire 100 Amp battery in an hour - which makes no sense. I would like the AC to run off battery enough to cool it down for lunch and evenings before bed. Maybe run a bit while we are in bed. We don't need it 65 degrees all day... There could be some days we are stuck in side and it's hot - but we could keep it at 77-80 and deal with it for those few times.
If the AC on battery is a lost cause - then I don't really need much lithium or the 3,000W inverter right? Which means I could just have ETI install a 1,500W and one or two lithiums and while overpriced, we wouldn't have to DIY.
Lastly, ETI states the Coleman can be run off a 2,000W generator while the Houghton requires a 3,000W generator. I've read discussions and have no idea what to think... Some say the 2,200W generator will run a Houghton 13.5K, others say just add a hot start, others say get the biggest gen you can afford. Our issue is that our tow vehicle is a Lexus LX 570 and I'm not excited about lifting and loading a generator in the back. The 2,000W looks manageable but the 3,000W would be a PITA and take up a lot of space which we are limited on. I would just go with the Coleman but the Houghton is rated significantly lower dB and having a quiet AC is definitely preferred. I've seen some 3,000W gens that match the 2,000W gen size - but those seem to be anomolies? Others connect two 2,000W gens which seems a bit nutty. And then I read that the AC will burn 20 lbs of propane in 8 hours.... So that's say 2 days max. Are people filling up propane/gas every two days to keep their ACs running???
So - my fourth question is which AC? Coleman or Houghton? Am I forced into the Coleman if I don't want a 3,000W generator? If I can run the AC off Lithium - then do I need a generator?
So - all of this unknown has led us to max the roof solar, choose compressor fridge, 2x 6v and upgrade to lithium later, Coleman AC, and 2,000W generator. My hestiance is 1) can we build out the lithium without major headaches, and 2) am I going to regret the Coleman vs Houghton?
Also FYI - We are adding the underside foam insulation so I'm concerned we wouldn't be able to run wiring under the trailer if needed for the solar/batteries in the future.
Thanks and sorry for the long post!
Our situation is:
- Family of four with two young kids
- Anticipating 2-months travel each summer originating from Houston
- Occasional weekend and week trips from Houston within TX/OK/LA/AR in spring-winter-fall
- Plan to visit national and state parks and BLM land
- Would prefer quiet natural areas vs RV parks and happy to dry camp or boondock if that's the best option but we don't foresee week-long boondocking on BLM land. At most it would be a couple of nights on BLM or several nights dry camping in a remote park site (such as Big Bend, for example) before moving to the next spot.
- At home we sleep at 72 degrees and keep the house around 75-77 degrees during the day.
Given we will be traveling in the summer, AC is a must for at least part of the day and in some regions. I am struggling to figure out our path forward given we have no experience. I am leaning towards the minimum and adding (or not) later.
I am thinking of the following:
- 3x 200W solar panels on the roof because this will be hard for us to do ourselves
- Zap port
- 2x 6v batteries
- 2,000W generator dual-fuel (purchased seperate) (although I don't want to use this thing)
- Coleman AC (although I want the Houghton)
- 400-800Ah+ Lithium
- Controllers, wiring, etc.
- 3,000W inverter
- DC-DC converter for tow vehicle charging
- Much cheaper than ETI based on what I've seen online for Lithium batteries
- We can add a 3,000W inverter and more Lithium batteries to our traditional dinette than ETI will install. ETI will only install the 3,000W inverter with a U-dinette because they install it in the middle section.
So - my first question is can we install 400-800Ah+ with a 3,000W inverter and controllers in the traditional dinette? Presumably I would have to use both sides and route wires between benches? Could I put some equipment under the stove top?
We are also trying to decide on the fridge and AC.
We are leaning towards the compressor fridge since a lot of folks prefer it. We will have the 2-burner propane stove top. If we have a microwave, it'll be an inverter microwave we purchase and infrequently used. No tv - only phones, ipad, and two small laptops.
So - my second question is would the 2x 6v batteries be sufficient for the compressor fridge? Sounds like it would given we will not be full-time off grid and will have 600W solar. We will also be moving every few days. And if we upgrade to Lithium - no problem.
The AC is the tougher question. Both the Coleman Mach 10 NDQ and the Houghton are 13.5k BTU and require a 3,000W inverter to run off battery.
So - my third question is can I fit enough batteries in the 21C to run the AC? Is it a lost cause? I read conflicting info on the total amp usage. The specs say 10-15 amps but then people say you'll use an entire 100 Amp battery in an hour - which makes no sense. I would like the AC to run off battery enough to cool it down for lunch and evenings before bed. Maybe run a bit while we are in bed. We don't need it 65 degrees all day... There could be some days we are stuck in side and it's hot - but we could keep it at 77-80 and deal with it for those few times.
If the AC on battery is a lost cause - then I don't really need much lithium or the 3,000W inverter right? Which means I could just have ETI install a 1,500W and one or two lithiums and while overpriced, we wouldn't have to DIY.
Lastly, ETI states the Coleman can be run off a 2,000W generator while the Houghton requires a 3,000W generator. I've read discussions and have no idea what to think... Some say the 2,200W generator will run a Houghton 13.5K, others say just add a hot start, others say get the biggest gen you can afford. Our issue is that our tow vehicle is a Lexus LX 570 and I'm not excited about lifting and loading a generator in the back. The 2,000W looks manageable but the 3,000W would be a PITA and take up a lot of space which we are limited on. I would just go with the Coleman but the Houghton is rated significantly lower dB and having a quiet AC is definitely preferred. I've seen some 3,000W gens that match the 2,000W gen size - but those seem to be anomolies? Others connect two 2,000W gens which seems a bit nutty. And then I read that the AC will burn 20 lbs of propane in 8 hours.... So that's say 2 days max. Are people filling up propane/gas every two days to keep their ACs running???
So - my fourth question is which AC? Coleman or Houghton? Am I forced into the Coleman if I don't want a 3,000W generator? If I can run the AC off Lithium - then do I need a generator?
So - all of this unknown has led us to max the roof solar, choose compressor fridge, 2x 6v and upgrade to lithium later, Coleman AC, and 2,000W generator. My hestiance is 1) can we build out the lithium without major headaches, and 2) am I going to regret the Coleman vs Houghton?
Also FYI - We are adding the underside foam insulation so I'm concerned we wouldn't be able to run wiring under the trailer if needed for the solar/batteries in the future.
Thanks and sorry for the long post!