Dry Camping Power

oyarsa wrote:
I would really like to be able to dry camp. Sadly, I must admit to liking my electronics, so I'm trying to figure out how to manage power.

I found a generator I like: Champion 4000 Watt

But, I realized earlier that that only works for power while running. I know...should have been obvious...

I don't suppose that works for, say, watching TV at night, charging my phone overnight, etc.

I'm assuming I would need a power inverter, too, right? Any suggestions on an inverter? Thoughts about the generator?

Hell NO! at least not for campground usage, it's WAY TOO LOUD!:E
if you are boondocking with no neighbors, that generator's fine.
i own one and use it for home backup power. but i would NEVER use it in a campground.

if you are going to be using it in a campground, get an inverter generator, like the Champion 3100w inverter generator.

I was looking at a generator that could power the A/C as well as tend to all those other items.

Is a hybrid generator really that much louder than an enclosed inverter of the same wattage? It appears that for Champion it's only a difference of 59 vs 64 dBA for a similar wattage inverter.

Maybe what I should do is to get a power inverter first, then decide if I truly need a generator. Maybe I wouldn't need one if I just forego the A/C.

What are you trying to run?

If it's just a little TV and charging the phone a little 1000w generator will do the trick (or consider solar).

If you want to run the air/con or other heavy loads, that is where a bigger generator is needed...and yes, an inverter style will be much quieter than an open frame contractor style.

azrving wrote:


It's best if you do an energy audit and come up with some idea of how much power you're going to use.

Look at pianotuna series on solar at freecampsites.net. I think his posts are in the blog section.

Thanks azrving,

https://freecampsites.net/adding-solar/

oyarsa wrote:
I would really like to be able to dry camp. Sadly, I must admit to liking my electronics, so I'm trying to figure out how to manage power.

I found a generator I like: Champion 4000 Watt

Thoughts about the generator?

And why do you "like" it? :h Because it's cheap, WAY too noisy, WAY too big for what you have in mind, and totally unnecessary if all you want to do is watch TV and charge your phone? :@ Best you do an energy audit and decide exactly what it is you want to run, then decide how to best provide that power. Who knows, perhaps increasing your battery reserve and installing a small inverter will be sufficient and certainly FAR easier than dealing with a noisy, smelly generator that constantly needs fuel to keep operating. ;)

Electronics can be powered by a solar system. It’s silent and doesn’t need hardly any maintenance. That’s what I do as a dry camper. Start with an energy use survey. If you go the generator route, please don’t camp near me.

We have 12 volt chager plugs in th tt. Use laptop to watch movies camping or downloaded shows. Charge daily with a honda generator.

Yes a 350 watt sine wave inverter will easily power your cell phones, laptop, i-Pad, tv, satellite, DVD player etc.

That champ seems big unless you must have air conditioning.

Hi,

For low wattage the Victron 350 watt pure sine wave is a BEST BUY at Amazon.

Don't inflict the Champion 4000 on yourself.

Get either the 3400 watt Champion inverter generator with remote electric start, or the Harbor Freight Predator inverter generator.

oyarsa wrote:


I don't suppose that works for, say, watching TV at night, charging my phone overnight, etc.

I'm assuming I would need a power inverter, too, right? Any suggestions on an inverter? Thoughts about the generator?

Get an inverter generator. You will grow to hate a noisy generator. You might start out with two group 27 or 29 batteries or two GC2 in series. You don't need a big inverter for watching TV and laptops and stuff like that.

A 2000 watt inverter generator should run a microwave or a toaster or hair dryer charge your batteries. You may also want to upgrade the converter because many oem's only go to 13.6 volts. Upgraded converters will put out 14.4 volts but I would look at some that go up to 14.8 volts. Those higher voltage models are going to do better at turning gasoline into battery charge.

It's best if you do an energy audit and come up with some idea of how much power you're going to use. The batteries are like your bank account your bank account needs to be big enough to carry you over night. You're charging sources, generator converter and solar are your income. You need enough income to refill the bank account plus about a 10% penalty in system losses and inefficiency.

Look at pianotuna series on solar at freecampsites.net. I think his posts are in the blog section.