> > 15 minutes of idling is 15 minutes of idling,
>
> Greg,
> Yes, it is. But most of us will find a reason to run the engine the
> equivalent of 15 minutes a day for other reasons,

I'm glad you used the word 'most' because in my typical remote camp I don't
run the engine for a week or two....

whether it be to find
> a new campsite, heat the van on a freezing day, or whatever. Maybe it's
> an hour's drive every fourth day. Efficient use of the aux battery
> should keep it up that long. If not, then plan on spending a wad for PVs
> big enough to handle whatever you're running.

all depends on how much power you use... for some it would take running the
van for an hour or two a day to replace the power usage... like I pointed
out in an earlier post a single 3 amp solar panel can eliminate this need to
run the engine for an hour a day... cost.... about $400 with controller...
well worth it to me not to hear that engine or smell those fumes while out
in the wilds....

Bill

> Larry
>