Propane and gas-powered generators are being challenged by highly capable solar and lithium battery systems. Are the days of gas and propane generators about to be zapped? Or is that just buzz?
Ten years ago the combination of a built-in or portable generator capable of powering a rooftop air conditioner was unbeatable. Manufacturers routinely debuted new truck camper models and rolled out model year updates showcasing this sought-after capability. Off-grid air conditioning powered by a gas or propane generator was the bee’s knees.
About that same time, solar panels in the 75 to 100-watt range were becoming ubiquitous. Most camper companies offered solar panels as a factory-installed option. Many were starting to make at least one solar panel standard.
And the advances didn’t stop there. Alongside the solar panels, two and sometimes three Group 31 or 6-volt golf cart batteries were emerging as a popular battery bank size. With upwards of 300 Amp hours on tap, high-power 12-volt to 110-watt AC inverters became possible. Some of these AC inverters were capable of 2,000 watts, enough to power 110-watt microwaves, coffee makers, toasters, and hair dryers.
Enter Lithium Batteries…
Starting about five years ago, lithium batteries became a truly viable product for the truck camper market. Suddenly we could replace our AGM or flooded batteries with lithium batteries and effectively double our battery bank capacity. Yes, the cost of those lithium batteries was three and even four times the equivalent AGM size (even more for flooded versions) but the additional power was compelling.
Something even more interesting happened when these large lithium battery banks combined with a 2,000 or 3,000-watt inverter and an efficient air conditioner. The lithium battery banks could power an air conditioner off-grid. For the first time, built-in and portable generators had a hint of competition for this sought-after capability.
At about the same time that lithium batteries entered the market, 400, 600, and even 800-watt solar panel systems became possible. Together with lithium batteries, these large solar panel systems could power an air conditioner off-grid for hours. There were limits to how long you could run such a system, but it was possible. Built-in and portable generators finally faced a serious alternative.
Poll: Camper Generator Show-Down
Given the rapidly advancing state of solar, lithium, inverter, and air conditioning systems, there’s a lot of talk about built-in and portable generators no longer being desirable, or relevant. While that statement might be premature, we too have experienced the profound combination of lithium and solar technologies; enough to know the sentiment has some teeth. There’s only one way to really find out if this is the future or a fad.
