Let’s briefly look at a couple of options.
Generators: If you have a Class A, Class B or Class C RV, you probably have a generator built in. Most RV’ers with these type vehicles tend to stay in RV parks where electricity, water and sewer are usually available anyway. You also have to take into consideration the limitations you face with these type RV’s in terms of how far off-grid you can take them. Some people camping in vans, tents, or pickup campers, carry a small gas-powered generator with them. The problem with this is that you have to carry extra gasoline to power the generator, not to mention the noise factor. Most of my friends that enjoy camping off-grid tend to be critical of campers running generators in off-grid camping situations. Their feeling is they go camping off-grid to get away from noise pollution so they can enjoy the great outdoors.
In my opinion, generators are better used in situations around our homes when we have natural disasters which cause power failures for lengthy periods of time.
Solar: This appears to be the choice of most campers, especially the off-grid types. The sun is free! I travel in my van and I have a suitcase type solar panel which makes it easy to stow when traveling. When I get to my destination, I simply pull the solar panel out and set it up facing the sun. It only takes a few minutes. I have an AGM deep cycle battery with a 30 amp charge controller. This provides me and like-minded campers with ample electricity to run my DC refrigerator, my DC fan, charge my phone and my laptop, because I will occasionally do some work while off grid. Basically, this is all I use electricity for. For my coffee, which I thoroughly enjoy in the mornings, I don’t need electricity, I use my propane cook stove. Further, I don’t use my house battery for any lighting as I have small puck lights that are adequate for any lighting I might need and they have their own batteries that last for weeks before needing to be replaced.
And… did I mention that Solar is free?
Until next time…
