Outlets Off while Boonedocking

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. :@

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

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.

Your simplest bet is to simply not use the outlets or microwave. That's what I do.
I have a 12v plug for charging phone and tablet, and for running a little fan next to the bed. Other than that, my batteries run the lights and fridge electronics. Everything else runs on propane.

For coffee, I boil water in a kettle on the stove and use a french press.
I heat leftovers on the stove, on the grill, or in the oven. (I have a small propane oven.)
Meals are cooked on stove, in oven, or on the grill.
I run the furnace if I need heat.
I don't bother with a hair dryer when I'm camping.
Water heater runs on propane, so showers are not a problem.
I don't watch tv, but the one I removed from my trailer ran on 12v.
I have 120v portable solar cell that keeps my batteries happy.

I make a game out of seeing how long I can go without having to plug in. So far, it's been 2 1/2 years.

Hi,

Add and inverter and a solar charging system. For my detailed thoughts on solar, surf here: https://freecampsites.net/adding-solar/

LongOverDue wrote:
My wife and I are gearing up for boonedocking, and we just discovered that none of our outlets in the trailer work when not connected to Shorepower. Aside from a generator, what alternatives to we have here?

As others have said, you need to educate yourself more before heading out to dry camp or boondock.
You also need to figure out how you're going to get FW and dump tanks without any hookups.

I'm surprised that your dealer didn't go over how the RV 12v and 110v systems differ and work.
Solar won't run the a/c or microwave.

I think there are two major parts of the equation that are missing:

1. What RV do you have? A class A or 5er will likely have enough room for a large battery bank. A small C, B or TT may only hold two 12v batteries.

2. What exactly do you want to run off those outlets? If you just want to run a tv for an hour or two at night, you should be OK with solar and the generator as needed when it's cloudy, etc., even with just a couple batteries. If you want to run the hair dryer, microwave, electric blanket, coffee pot, toaster, crock pot, and so on, then you're going to end up running that generator most of the time for a couple batteries - less if you can bank more batteries. Will you have enough fuel where you plan on boondocking to run the generator for X number of days before you head back to a town to re-fuel?

I think both RPreeb and 2oldman are correct in their assessments of boondocking - which is the right path for you will depend on #1 and #2 above.

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.

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.

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.

The other obvious question is what did you plan to plug into that one 120v outlet? If it's a high draw item like a coffee maker or toaster, then even a pair of 12v batteries won't do you much good unless you have a good system for recharging them. A single 100 watt solar panel will do nothing more than maintain them or replace minimal usage, and then only if you have lots of direct sun. Solar becomes useless when it's cloudy or you are parked where trees block the sun for much of the day. Depending on what your overall boondocking plans are, a generator is the only sure way to be certain of getting a good charge AND being able to use the 120v outlets, and a 2000 watt inverter is the least you would want.

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