Thor Forums

[Chance]

Originally Posted by scrubjaysnest

Only talked with one person that claimed to run his A/C for 3 and 1/2 hours.
Didn't see his battery bank but his solar array was two 6 by 8 feet arrays that were tiltable. That much solar foot print wouldn't fit on an Axis.
I think without climbing up there maybe enough room for 4 150 watt panels.

Sorry to mislead. And also to drift somewhat off topic (although energy storage and efficiency is a very big part of solar).

We are "travelers" more than "campers", rarely staying in one place for long, so getting batteries charged back up wouldn't necessarily have to be from solar. We do spend many nights without shore power, many of them where running a generator isn't allowed, or a good idea for other reasons. That's why battery-powered AC sounds so appealing.

It just doesn't seem practical and or affordable yet. I estimate 8 Trojan T105s (or equivalent) could do the job using an efficient small 5,000 BTU/hr AC, but that's 500 pounds of batteries. Not only is the weight an issue, they require access to check water. And going with AGM or lithium batteries because they are maintenance free just makes it more expensive. While I know I can technically do it, I can't justify the cost yet.

My question about making coffee or microwave off inverter/batteries was generic. We would NEVER boondock like Bob and his wife in the middle of the desert living off solar power. We've driven through Death Valley a few times and my wife couldn't wait to get to civilization.