Dry Camping Power

RedRocket204 wrote:
Install USB ports directly connected to your 12VDC RV wiring. That will help charge any USB cabled devices, i.e. phones, tablets, etc.

You can also go to WalMart and get a small $40 inverter that plugs into your vehicle and charge while driving around. Is TV really necessary? You're in the boonies.... disconnect yourself and enjoy it. Get a good book rather than TV. If you want this it really can be done cheaply.

Agree that batteries are king. I don't know what you're driving but may I present my "generatorless" option? We exclusively dry camp. I put a crossbed toolbox in the truck with 6 Lifeline 6 volt batteries. A Victron 3500 watt sine inverter is in the box also. The inverter will power the AC for about an hour which is enough for a rest area lunch. We charge the 6 Lifelines in the truck and two T-105s in the TT before leaving departing. Good for two-three days of nightly TV, toaster, micro, lights (all leds) etc. The TT batteries handle refer electronics, furnace, gas detector, etc. Only if it will be hot enough to need AC then I bring one or two Honda 2000 watt gens. One will run the AC because the Victron syncs with the gen and adds any extra needed power from the Lifelines. Just pull out the TT power cable and plug into the inverter as if using campground power. A bit on the expensive side but it works for us. Mostly,no noise.

Battery bank size is king. The more capacity the better. Solar is fine if you are a desert open air camper. Not very effective if you like being in the shade. Buying a cheap modified sine wave inverter runs the risk of destroying voltage sensitive devices like TVs. Get a pure sine wave inverter. Good insurance. Likewise going cheap on the genny will cost more in the long run

pianotuna wrote:

For the cost of the Yamaha and cage I could, in theory upgrade the solar enough to run the roof air when the sun is shining.

I bet not if you include the value of your labor.

I exclusively boondock with my popup camper. I have a 2000 watt yamaha, and shumacher jump box, and the following 12 volt entertainment: HD TV, HD DVD, HD Sirius Sat Radio Boonmbox. Coffee campfire perk, coleman drip, or cowboy coffee. Toaster: coughlan, Hair Dryer: Towel, assorted bunk fans and fantastic fan. Popup gizmos or just park under a tree.

Hi,

I was talking about the cost of the 256 watts of solar--which today could be replaced for $300. Lowest price for panel's buying "one at a time" is about $0.51 per watt.

For the cost of the Yamaha and cage I could, in theory upgrade the solar enough to run the roof air when the sun is shining.

valhalla360 wrote:

pianotuna wrote:


compared to 256 watts of solar $1700 which has cost exactly ZERO since 2005. This could be replaced today for $300.

I doubt you could build a system that comes close to the capabilities of the generators you listed for $300...Keep in mind, it's not just the solar panels.

pianotuna wrote:
I would get the victron 350 watt pure sine wave inverter, and mate it to an upgraded battery bank and add 400 watts of solar.

I am a generator hater. Here is why:

1. Kipor 2800 T--$1300 fob Regina lasted 9 years, four repairs.
2. Boliy $1400 FOB Florida lasted less than 3 months
3. Yamaha 2800 with a Pinella remote $3400 fob Regina Stolen
4. Yamaha 2800 with Pinella remote, and security cage $4300 fob Regina. Broke a weld on the rear bumper, so I'm having that fixed soon. I.E. a new bumper made from two 102" x 3" x 3" steel welded to the main frame. It won't be cheap--but it won't break this time round.

The figures above do not include fuel, oil or maintenance.

compared to 256 watts of solar $1700 which has cost exactly ZERO since 2005. This could be replaced today for $300.

Generator run time was less than 100 hours.

If you need the air--go to an inexpensive campground.

That is some horribly bad luck.

We've got a 10yr old Yamaha 2400 that lived in the back of the pickup under a box and chained to the 5th wheel hitch (I think it was around $1400)...I did clean the carb this spring because it was surging...I probably should change the spark plug at some point. But otherwise just fuel and oil changes.

We rarely run it 24/7 but when we do it's usually around 3-4 gal/day. Not many modern (w/electric) campsites for $9-12. Of course, our most common use is when it gets really hot and the camp power goes out.

I doubt you could build a system that comes close to the capabilities of the generators you listed for $300...Keep in mind, it's not just the solar panels. You have to include installation brackets, installation hours, controller, battery bank, wiring, etc... If you only need a 256w for the 4-5hr that the solar panels generate, a little 1000w generator will be much cheaper than the generators you list and will be much more quiet and use less fuel.

pianotuna wrote:
If you need the air--go to an inexpensive campground.

Don ... huh? What if you hate - or are a long way from - inexpensive or expensive campgrounds?

We use our A/C in hot non-hookup conditions all the time whenever needed for comfort instead of sweltering in a hot box. It takes the Onan to do this and it's worth it's weight in gold or lithium in these conditions.

For ultra-quiet battery charging in the above conditions, we have a 54 dB, 3600 RPM, 650 watt, 35 year old Honda suitcase portable that can hardly be detected when we're inside the coach - and that when 50 feet away at the end of an extension cord behind a sagebush, cannot be heard at all above the wind or rattlesnakes. ;)

Lol. So like $20extra a night for power. is $7200 a year. Assume your FT or your $ per generator is even worse!
How much gas can you put in a generator in a year???

SoundGuy wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
I am a generator hater. Here is why:

1. Kipor 2800 T--$1300 fob Regina lasted 9 years, four repairs.
2. Boliy $1400 FOB Florida lasted less than 3 months
3. Yamaha 2800 with a Pinella remote $3400 fob Regina Stolen
4. Yamaha 2800 with Pinella remote, and security cage $4300 fob Regina. Broke a weld on the rear bumper, so I'm having that fixed soon. I.E. a new bumper made from two 102" x 3" x 3" steel welded to the main frame. It won't be cheap--but it won't break this time round.

The figures above do not include fuel, oil or maintenance.

OR you could have bit the bullet in the first place & invested in a light weight Honda EU2000i (now the even better EU2200i) inverter generator and likely run it for 20 yrs with little more than regular oil changes. :W

Yeah, that was funny pianotuna!!
So you had 2..... whatever’s! Whaere are their from, Poland? No they cost too much, but 1 lasted so 50/50 ain’t bad.
Then you had a good generator stolen after overpaying for it.....so I’d blame the generator too, lol.
Now you just paId a bucket of money for another good generator. Guess since someone else is enjoying the old one.
You’re right, I’d hate generators too......no actually I’d kick my own @ss for dumping so much $ into generators!