Outlets Off while Boonedocking

yes, I'm guilty of the same thing

I also like a late night snack of Bacon

MW the bacon then add bread and cheese as desired (not a BLT)

no disturbing the neighbors

MrWizard wrote:


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

Well stated, MrWizard!

We have all the comforts of home, too ... plus some we don't have at home.

After reading these forums for years ... I'm pretty much convinced that it's a bit more difficult to achieve with a towable RV than with a motorized RV because of the built-in verus portable generator difference and coach access to the engine alternator difference. Boondocking power discussions seem to be a big(ger) deal with towable owners because of all the approaches and conditions they have to consider.

Having a 2500 watt or larger built-in generator available at the push of a button powered by the same fuel as the engine from it's large tank in a motorhome (or some truck campers) - makes boondocking life a whole lot easier in all kinds of weather, all drycamping locations, all drycamping altitudes, any time of day, and in all seasons.

When boondocking we charge our batteries with the engine alternator or with one of two generators (with one of them being built in). Quiet charging when needed is not an issue, either, because the idling main engine is whisper quiet and vibration-free. By my definition boondock camping implies no other campers being around, anyway.

Quiet boondocking coffee and bacon is not a solar/inverter issue either because I prepare java on the propane cooktop and can cook bacon in the propane oven. Air conditioning out in the middle of warm weather nowhere when living in the RV or when leaving the dog in the RV while rockhounding is also a welcome piece of self-contained nirvana.

There's nothing like driving around in a motor home or pickup truck that sucks down 7 gallons an hour of diesel or gas and promoting conservation.

You really need to educate yourself about electricity and how much current each item needs.

Are you going to boondock exclusively or limited?

What items do you need to power and how long?

Do you need A/C, microwave, coffee maker, hair dryer (large current demand items)?

Do you want to go generator or solor panel's and batteries?

We need more information to advertise you, lot of factors involved.

2 batteries and a solar panel will not run high current items, one pot of coffee or hair dryer and they would need recharged. Forget running the A/C on solar, just not practical.

A generator takes equal amounts of research as well, same question about power consumption. And you have to add in noise rating.

Like I said education is the best answer to making a informed decision.

WOW!!:S

OK, you are in the East primarily therefore much of your camping is likely to be under trees not out in a desert with the sun beating down. This makes the solar being questionable for effectiveness for $$. It does not work under trees, under cloudy skies or at night.

A generator works anytime, anywhere.

JMO, but a 200W inverter genny & an awful lot of gas can be bought for the price of a solar system. Either way nothing works well or for long without a decent sized battery bank & an inverter.

Also important is a good understanding of energy needs & how to most efficiently use available energy. That starts with leaving the fridge & water heater on propane & using lights only as needed.

RVs may be self contained but that does not mean that you have a nuclear power plant parked next to you when dry camping.

We replaced our converter with a pure sine wave Magnum 2000 w inverter charger. We installed a sub panel and moved all the outlets over to the sub panel so they could run off the inverter. (They also work when connected to Shore powers). An inverter install like this is just not the inverter. There are about 8 components to install along with it include a big fuse, heat sensor, monitoring panel. It was not a fun project because of the tiny spaces we had to work in but well worth the effort to us.

for us, and said it before: 2 12 volt group 30 batteries that takes care of the necessary items while dry camping. I have added a 400 watt inverter and separate line that runs an outlet by the tv and one under the table. we have been able to watch a couple movies, run computers, charge phones etc and still have plenty of power left to run heater at night, lights etc. We do have led lighting which helps. I do have a generator if needed to re top off batteries when needed. we do have a single solar panel that i use when we will be more than a few days as well. you just have to figure out what power you will be using and size up whatever means of charging, using and conserving you will be doing. Good Luck & Be Safe ! ! !

Bobbo wrote:

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.

Now that's cool!

qtla9111 wrote:

Bobbo wrote:

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.

Now that's cool!

Bobbo........
So....please tell us
Whats the PRICE????????
( hint...I have toured AIRSTREAM FACTORY..)..most recently 2 yrs ago.

My statement still stands

So far I have heard examples of $100,000 (+) BUSSES .. and this Airstream which I believe would be $65,000 -- or near that.

Hi,

My coffee pot consumes just 7 amp-hours for a full pot.

More and more folks are putting in solar panels that have enough oomph to run an air conditioner. If one has a capable inverter, the cost of parts to do so is under $2000.00 (Magnum PT-100 and 1650 watts of panels).

colliehauler wrote:

2 batteries and a solar panel will not run high current items, one pot of coffee or hair dryer and they would need recharged. Forget running the A/C on solar, just not practical.

Like I said education is the best answer to making a informed decision.