dry camping

GREGORYJ wrote:
Use less power at night if possible. We replaced the lights that we use most often with LEDs.

As indicated in his SIG the OP has a 2016 Coachmen Freedom Express which is factory supplied with interior LED lighting so there's no need for him to change anything.

The OP indicates in his first post that he has LED lights.

Use less power at night if possible. We replaced the lights that we use most often with LEDs. Original 1156 type bulbs use 27 watts each , LED's like below uses about 2 watts each.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/10x-Warm-White-1156-5050-18-SMD-RV-Camper-Trailer-LED-Interior-Light-Bulbs-1073/282561265954?hash=item41c9f6c122:g:GHUAAOSwMfhae6iY&vxp=mtr

I think you're good to go. If the battery, quits just run the generator until you get to town to get another one.

Exactly. The OP is only dry camping for one week per year. What he has will meet the requirements for that one trip each year. Investing in a bettery system is not cost effective.

If the OP decides to dry camp more often, or his converter and/or battery dies, then purchasing a more versatile converter/battery would make sense. But to replace what is working well at this point is just spending unnecessary money.

time2roll wrote:
I would always recommend two batteries for off-grid camping. Trade the 27 in on a new 31.

Yes Get a new converter even use it as a portable charger to go direct on the battery. WFCO is fine the rest of the year.

SoundGuy wrote:
As predicted, a totally unreasonable recommendation to spend the OP's $$$ from an American forum member who doesn't appreciate just how costly this stuff is here in Canada, especially if ordering online from any American supplier. Secondly, the OP isn't a regular dry camper and therefore won't come anywhere near reaping the advantages of spending so much for a new battery and converter when what he already has - one battery, a 2K genset to recharge it, plus a spare G27 - will suffice nicely. :R

time2roll wrote:
I still recommend two batteries and an improved converter for camping off-grid. The OP is already considering the Progressive Dynamics replacement.

Low cost is do nothing. So why even post if doing nothing is the max budget?

For the exact reasons I already stated - the OP needs nothing more than he already has for just one dry camping trip ... DOH. :S

My question, do you think running the generator for a 2-3 hours a day will be enough? or am i going to kill my group 31?


It won't be 100% full after 3 hours but you won't kill it, either. It wouldn't hurt bringing it to 14.6V and/or equalize at home after that week. It will last longer then.

I've been thinking of getting a 2nd grp 31, or just take along my 10 year old grp 27.

Get the 2nd Gr31 if the 1st one is not too old yet. Two 31 will discharge shallow-er than a single 31, they will last more years. Otherwise, run the existing gr31 to death and then buy two 31. Leave old Gr 27 home.

If i upgrade charging, should i just get the progressive dynamics?

Good idea. It will preserve batteries better than WFCO on shore power as well.

As noted, another alternative is to do nothing. Your loads are low, the battery(s) will likely die of old age before you notice the diminished capacity after years of mishandling.

I hear your pain of Canadian shopping. If you are close to the border, consider opening an account in private shipping/receiving outlet on the US side of the border. Can be done online, you'll get a US street address, and pay a few bucks when parcel arrives. Many people in Vancouver are doing this. Better prices and lower shipping cost then directly to Canada. They keep it for you for 2-4 weeks (depends on the outlet), then start charging storage fee. Sometimes there is an annual fee, but here in coastal WA it's usually zero, too much competition :)

if the WFCO doesn't do a bulk charge, and you don't want to spring for a PD drop in, go to the auto store and get a 40ish+ Amp battery charger to hook to the batteries for bulk charging. find one that has 40ish A charge rate, not 40A starting charge. would likely be 100+A start, 40A charge rate.

Black and Decker used to sell a very very very good charger like this, but for whatever reason they discontinued it about 4 years ago. sad day.

SoundGuy wrote:

time2roll wrote:
I would always recommend two batteries for off-grid camping. Trade the 27 in on a new 31.

Yes Get a new converter even use it as a portable charger to go direct on the battery. WFCO is fine the rest of the year.

http://www.bestconverter.com/PD-9260C-148-60-Amp

Or for the budget:
35 amp Powermax on amazon $92

As predicted, a totally unreasonable recommendation to spend the OP's $$$ from an American forum member who doesn't appreciate just how costly this stuff is here in Canada, especially if ordering online from any American supplier. Secondly, the OP isn't a regular dry camper and therefore won't come anywhere near reaping the advantages of spending so much for a new battery and converter when what he already has - one battery, a 2K genset to recharge it, plus a spare G27 - will suffice nicely. :R

I still recommend two batteries and an improved converter for camping off-grid. The OP is already considering the Progressive Dynamics replacement.

Low cost is do nothing. So why even post if doing nothing is the max budget?

The linked suppliers are just an example to see the item. Shop around. Or drive south of the border and purchase. Or since you are from CA how about post a link from a Canadian supplier to actually help the OP instead of rant on my suggestion.

bdhoun wrote:
I've never noticed a defrost switch on the fridge. I've looked.

Your fridge may not have a switch despite the owner's manual saying there is one. If not, add your own as I did.

Once i get the cover off the trailer i will check the wfco model.

It'll be a WFCO 8955.

I do want to pick up a DC clamp-on ammeter.

Very difficult to find a reasonably priced clamp on meter around here that reads DC current instead of just AC current. That's why I just ordered this one from Amazon.ca based on favourable recommendations here on the forums ... I expect it will arrive today.

Still not sure if the old grp 27 is good. It's been sitting in the garage idle for a couple years. I have put the stand alone charger on it a few times. If it is good, i would take it as a back-up and not parallel it. I may just take it as a return for the core charge and pick up a 2nd grp 31

Certainly a viable option but if your WFCO isn't fully capable of properly charging one G31 then it certainly won't be capable of properly charging two. If you didn't have a genset then I'd say yeah, invest in a second G31, but since you do have a genset I'd stick with just the one G31 you already have and use the WFCO for maintaining it as best you can. Leave further investment in this project only if you decide to get more fully involved in dry camping. JMO.