Generator or Second Battery for 2022 Micro Minnie FLX 2108

[Brian10956]

I'm close to closing a purchase on 2022 micro Minnie 2108 flx. It comes with a 320ah lithium battery. To increase my off grid time, I'm thinking between another battery or a generator. If I knew that one of the better Chinese batteries would work with the factory setup I'd do the new battery, but I'm thinking a good generator will do it also for a lot less than a factory battery. Has anyone been able to add a non factory battery to a flx?

 

[Eagle5]

Hi Brian,
If it were me, I would just buy a generator. Three hundred and twenty amp-hours is a large battery reserve, and you would just need to use the generator every few days, I would think.
Eagle5

P.S. Here is a nice inverter generator for just $365:

Amazon.com

Inverter generators do not need to run at full rpm. The less power you need, the slower the generator needs to operate.

 

[Brian10956]

I like the price on this one better than the Honda for 3 times the price. Would I just plug the generator into the 30 amp inlet on the Rv or would I be better off getting a stand alone 60 amp battery charger and use that to charge battery as the built in charger I think is just a 30 amp

 

[Eagle5]

Well, you did say you wished to be off-grid, so you will need a generator for that. Yes, you would plug your trailer's 30 amp shore power cord directly into the generator.
The generator can produce 30 amps @ 120 VAC for 3,600 watts of power, while the built-in trailer's charger is providing 30 amps @ 12 VDC for 360 watts of recharging power. I believe Winnebago has everything sized to recharge your Lithium battery with the built-in power center. You are just providing the generator to serve as your trailer's off-grid shore power. I would keep things as stock as possible (and hence less expensive too.)

 

[creativepart]

With a Travel Trailer carrying a quiet generator is always a plus. It not only can run your 110v appliances but can recharge your house battery.

That said, a second Lithionics battery is also a great addition and can really be a plus. Once you experience the 320ah Lithionics battery and all it can do you’ll quickly realize that more is better.

There is no one answer because we all RV differently. I’ve owed TTs and carried Honda generators and found them to be a great addition. I’ve had motorhomes with big lithium battery banks and really enjoyed the benefits.

Thing is, I also had and currently have a built in backup generator with both my motorhomes too. Though I hardly ever have used them.

I suggest getting your Micro Minnie and live with it for a while and see how you feel about this based on your usage.

 

[parshal]

I just went through this to some degree. We bought a 2022 2108TB FLX late winter and all we do is off grid camp. Many of the folks we camp with have a single lead acid battery and run generators and hate the noise. So, I bought a 400 watt portable panel and replaced the gopower controller with two Vitron controllers since they can be paired into a single unit. The thought was that I'd add the portable panel to increase total solar power.

We've never needed it. We've never gone below 65% when I check the battery in the morning. We run the fridge, watch TV and have run the microwave. We don't leave inverter on unless we need and we don't leave all the lights on like we're at home but we don't try to conserve power. Keep in mind, we're in Colorado where there is lots of sun.

The major limiting factor we've found is gray water. In 2.5 days we had five gallons of fresh water left and the gray tank was full. We must have been slightly off level because the pump would not pull that five gallons (I drained it when we got home to see if we really did use all the water).

So, if I were you, I'd not spend money a battery until you use the FLX. You might be very surprised how long the 320 ah will last.