Hi all. I’m in a situation where I’m going be setting up a camp off the grid that we will use frequently throughout the year. A couple things about the place, we have windmill water but no electricity. This water will be good enough if I want to treat it to use for showers/toilet, etc. I will be using an inverter generator since it gets a tad bit warm in Texas during the summer/fall and we will need to be able to run the AC all day at times. Town if close by so if I need to haul 50 gallons or so of fresh water for the trailer that is doable. I’ll plan to haul black water to town in a tote and dump black water there so I’m not planning to build a septic at this point. Now, I’m looking at how to handle the water. The windmill water is not where I’ll be camping and I’ll have to haul it, not a problem using a transfer pump and tanks. I’m going to setup probably a 200-300 gallon water tank in camp that will be elevated so that I can use a gravity fed if necessary but I am also looking at an on demand water pump because I will need water outside for tasks. Has anyone done a setup like this for the on demand pump? I planned to run a splitter off of the pump to run a hose with a sprayer and an outdoor sink. And other advice tips on what I’m trying to do here? I’ve used generators before but not really a 24/7 setup. Doing research now on what type I’d like to buy but I’m open for suggestions here as well.Thanks in advance.

You can use a 12 volt pump like the one you have in your trailer to pump water from your portable tank to your trailer or outside sink. I bought one from Northern tools that uses alligator clips to hookup to one of my batteries.https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_water-pumps+12-volt-pumps

Thanks. I had been looking at one that was AC powered but the 12v May be a better way to go so that I don’t have to use the generator when it is needed.

Are you looking at any solar/battery/inverter equipment? May not be practical for running the air unless you were there full time and could have 3+ kW. Still could do a small system to keep the fridge running on propane while you are gone.If I was running a generator 24/7 at times it would be an Honda inverter with extended run fuel tank.

Not really planning on solar. In the summer months are trips will be really short and infrequent. 1 day a month max. At most we will probably need to run the air during September/October maybe 2 days at a time twice a month. After that during the winter I think it would only be used sporadically. I know the Honda’s and Yamahas are the best but they come with a price. I’ve been eyeing the champion 3400 inverter since it can be had for under 1k and has a decent warranty compared to some of the other knock off inverters.

Save lots of money and get the Champion. You will be glad you did.

Off grid camp setup | Good Sam Community

rexmitchell
Explorer
Apr 19, 2019
2112 wrote:
You might consider buying a dedicated utility trailer to mount fresh and black water tanks on. maybe even a fuel cell for generator fuel. Use a 12V macerator pump to load and unload the black water. Keep in mind water weighs 8.345lbs/gal so size your tanks within the capability of the trailer axles/tires.

I don't know your plans for the gravity fed water but just FYI, water will produce 0.433psi/ft elevation. A storage tank elevated 5ft produces 2.16 psi water pressure.

I’ve got a big enough trailer to haul a couple hundred gallons of water so I should be good there. The lack of pressure for the elevated tank is why I’m looking at the on demand water pump for when we absolutely need it.
ppine
Explorer II
Apr 19, 2019
In Nevada conserving water is second nature. Train your family and guests to conserve water and it will save you a lot of work. Two hundred gallons would easily last me a year.
rexmitchell
Explorer
Apr 19, 2019
ppine wrote:
In Nevada conserving water is second nature. Train your family and guests to conserve water and it will save you a lot of work. Two hundred gallons would easily last me a year.

Yep. I can’t stretch it that far but we can utilize 50 gallons and easily be fine for the weekend. Thinking about it more, it may be easier to haul fresh water from town or home in 55 gallon barrels and top the tank off that way. Less worry then about treating the water.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Apr 19, 2019
First storing a couple hundred gallons of water, in the sun is not the best idea. You can very easily get thing "growing" in that tank ! Drinking and bathing water need some SERIOUS treatment ! Possibly chlorine or at least ozone and/or ultraviolet.

If you plan on spending a lot of time there, a small structure housing your treatment equipment and typical home jet pump and pressure tank are your best option. I am sure you can find an "off grid" 12V pump.

If you own the property, I would make the structure big enough to house some batteries and maybe even mount some solar panels on the roof.

Solar panels on the roof of your RV and more batteries would allow you to run a residential refrigerator without a generator. Again, I you own the property, a carport like structure to keep the sun off of the roof of your RV will make a HUGE difference !
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Apr 19, 2019
2112 wrote:
I don't know your plans for the gravity fed water but just FYI, water will produce 0.433psi/ft elevation. A storage tank elevated 5ft produces 2.16 psi water pressure.

At my brother-in-laws camp, the outhouse has a flush toilet ! It is feed by rain water from an out side 55 gallon drum connected to the roof. Refilling the toilet tank is slow, but it works !
rexmitchell
Explorer
Apr 19, 2019
theoldwizard1 wrote:
First storing a couple hundred gallons of water, in the sun is not the best idea. You can very easily get thing "growing" in that tank ! Drinking and bathing water need some SERIOUS treatment ! Possibly chlorine or at least ozone and/or ultraviolet.

If you plan on spending a lot of time there, a small structure housing your treatment equipment and typical home jet pump and pressure tank are your best option. I am sure you can find an "off grid" 12V pump.

If you own the property, I would make the structure big enough to house some batteries and maybe even mount some solar panels on the roof.

Solar panels on the roof of your RV and more batteries would allow you to run a residential refrigerator without a generator. Again, I you own the property, a carport like structure to keep the sun off of the roof of your RV will make a HUGE difference !

Researching online it looks like a lot of tanks have a treatment or are of material specifically designed to stop algae growth inside them. Or is it better just to go ahead and treat the water with chlorine when it goes into the tank? I may have misread but I thought the purpose of these tanks was to help avoid this is exact situation by keeping out all sunlight. If sunlight is the biggest issue it wouldn’t be that difficult to build and enclosure around it either way.
bikendan
Explorer
Apr 19, 2019
Crabbypatty wrote:
Buy cheap you get cheap. My Honda 3000i is now 15 years old. I don't think these inexpensive Chinese sets will give you that mileage. Also they are noisier. I camped next to one and you can hear the difference between the two.

Champion generators are made in China but the company is American and they are built to the American company's specs and customer service is US based.
They've been around for over 10 years and their products are well proven. They are also very responsive to the RV community and make changes to their designs for the RV community.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Apr 19, 2019
azrving wrote:
You can find several posts on here where people are running on 2000 watt inverter/generators after installing a device in the ac called Microaire.

Micro-Air Easy Start Soft Starter Kit. Works much better in hotter temperatures with the newer Honda EU2200i genset.
sandblast
Explorer
Apr 19, 2019
time2roll wrote:

If I was running a generator 24/7 at times it would be an Honda inverter with extended run fuel tank.

After being around some other brands, get a Honda.
Case in point. Years ago @ Quartzsite a reputable dealer was selling
Mitsubishi 1100 watt gens, for $600.00. good buy great gen. But around the camp we compared it with the Honda and the DB ratings were the same but the Honda was quieter. Opinion of 4 other campers. Still have and could not tell you the hours.
rexmitchell
Explorer
Apr 19, 2019
I don’t doubt the Honda is quieter but honestly I’m going to be the only one on a giant piece of property so a little noise won’t bother me. I heard a friends predator the other night and it was extremely quiet.. Reliability/features are more of a concern for me but so is price.