Outlets Off while Boonedocking

If you need 120 V to charge phone, laptop, etc, you can get a small inverter to plug into a 12V outlet. You may have one in the RV, or can add one. Or you can plug the inverter into your vehicle 12V outlet and use it while driving.

Personally I would rather do without than go through a big hassle of installing a big battery bank and inverter just to run a coffeepot, hairdryer, etc. There are lots of ways around needing those devices.

I added an inverter. Push the button and all outlets and the microwave works fine.

LongOverDue wrote:
2oldman, that article is great, thanks!

Trust me - by the time everyone here gets done with you you'll be well schooled... :S

All trying to help, etc. :@

bfast54 wrote:

LongOverDue wrote:
I hoped that 1 outlet would have already been designated to work for a short time with an inverter, Bfast54. Thanks for your help. We Hope to go solar to recharge.

I am not aware of any RVs currently wired for An outlet --- off of an inverter

(No demand....)....besides......someone would plug an AIR CONDITIONER in......expect it to run all night.

High end MotorHomes often INCLUDE an inverter and you might find some 5vrs with an inverter built in as an option.. and Pretty much EVERY "RV" which has an OPTIONAL HOME FRIDGE instead of a RV fridge will have an inverter INCLUDED to power that fridge.

Generally most RVs will not include an inverter..

2oldman wrote:

RPreeb wrote:
The end message is that boondocking takes a different mindset. Conservation and minimalism is an important key to success.

Doesn't have to be that way. I have all the comforts of home when off grid, except for a bathtub.

You ARE the "exception" to the rule of conservation..

It IS much cheaper to CONSERVE power than it is to "generate" your own power..

You can dump lots of money into battery banks, solar panels and generators if you are not careful or do not care about your money (or have money to burn)..

The "average" RVr most likely will have some budget restraints and will have to pick and choose just how much money they wish to dump into electrical generating system.

OP NEEDS to take an energy "audit" and figure out how much power they will need to be "comfortable".. then figure out just how much it will cost them to do it.

That means figuring out how much lighting they will use, entertainment (TV, stereo, computer, and other electronics), furnace usage, water pump usage and so on..

Big wattage stuff like hair dryers, A/C, microwaves are best served via generators rather than battery power..

Gdetrailer wrote:
It IS much cheaper to CONSERVE power than it is to "generate" your own power..

You can dump lots of money into battery banks, solar panels and generators if you are not careful or do not care about your money (or have money to burn)..

I don't care what's cheaper.

Yea you can save yourself right into the poor house.

bfast54 wrote:

LongOverDue wrote:
I hoped that 1 outlet would have already been designated to work for a short time with an inverter, Bfast54. Thanks for your help. We Hope to go solar to recharge.

I am not aware of any RVs currently wired for An outlet --- off of an inverter

(No demand....)....besides......someone would plug an AIR CONDITIONER in......expect it to run all night.

The 2017 Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB (a 23 foot travel trailer) that I bought and will take delivery of this coming Thursday has a 1,000 watt inverter with 3 outlets connected as a standard feature. The outlets are the television location, the Blu-Ray player/radio location, and the outlet in the dining area. All 3 of the outlets are accessible to me.

2oldman wrote:

RPreeb wrote:
The end message is that boondocking takes a different mindset. Conservation and minimalism is an important key to success.

Doesn't have to be that way. I have all the comforts of home when off grid, except for a bathtub.

yes so do i

and you have 800w of solar and i have 600w+ of solar and a generator
and 500 pounds of AGM batteries

the question is, what does the OP want to power ? how much load ?
and for HOW LONG, how often

over night stops while traveling, watch a movie or TV
get a another battery and a 300w inverter

want Drip coffee or MW or hair dryer, while boon docking
buy a 2000w generator, he can add solar and more batteries later
if he wants to

generator works rain or shine, cloudy or sunny
and cost less than a big inverter plus batteries plus solar

There's nothing I like better than being able to brew up a pot of electric drip coffee in the am without having to go outside in my jammies and fire up a generator.