12V - Solar - Inverter Set-Up 101

[TBS]

If I was running AC I would much sooner spring for a small generator to handle the load than carrying 500lbs of batteries. The honda 2000W units are relatively inexpensive, whisper quiet (the AC unit will make far more noise than the generator), and lightweight. The only time I'd consider carrying the battery capacity and inverter wattage necessary to run AC is if I was doing lots of camping in close proximity to others who might find my generator offensive.

Valid point.

 

[G35Vortec454]

If I was running AC I would much sooner spring for a small generator to handle the load than carrying 500lbs of batteries. The honda 2000W units are relatively inexpensive, whisper quiet (the AC unit will make far more noise than the generator), and lightweight. The only time I'd consider carrying the battery capacity and inverter wattage necessary to run AC is if I was doing lots of camping in close proximity to others who might find my generator offensive.

Good point on the generator, if you can find a place to mount it permanently under your van. If your vehicle had a quiet engine at idle (which it does not) an alternative to a generator would be either a high output alternator or a 2nd alternator adjusted so it charges at idle. My previous 4x4 motorhome (didnt have a genset) with a quietly idling 454 Vortec engine would consume just 5 gallons over 8 hours running the AC heat pump in the middle of the desert. That rivals the gas consumption of my current Onan generator.

On battery weights, two series-parallel banks of GC batteries would weigh 240 lbs., not bad I think for the payload and mpg of a diesel Econoline. And I don't think you'd be overbuilding. I run my 11000 btu AC off my 660AH battery banks and there's no way I could say my system is overbuilt. Do you plan on bringing a microwave oven to camp? and willing to go out and setup the generator everytime you use it?