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MiRV
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Jul 06, 2014

Amp Hours - Are you Right Sized? Post your Charge Method

Amp Hour usage is always a question for people who looking at the idea of Boondocking. Since the batteries are one of the most crucial part of your electrical system, it's important to have the House Batteries "right sized" for a successful Boondock.

Please post the following:

1 - Projected Amp Hours for 24 hours (amp hour worksheet):
2 - Current # of batteries:
3 - Current # of Amp Hours [AH] your batteries have (or Reserve Capacity [RC]):
4 - Battery Voltage (6 or 12):
5 - How long do your batteries last based on #1:
6 - How long each day do you run your generator to get "recharged":
7 - Provide any other info like if you use solar and how you recharge, etc.:

THANK YOU!!!!

42 Replies

  • Just got back from a 5 day boondock outing. Here's what I noted:

    2 adults
    Conserve mode

    Two 6-volt Trojan T105's
    220 AH max
    No generator or solar
    Used 8% of batteries each 24hours
    After 5 days, had 60% remaining in batteries

    Water pump biggest user
    LED lights used
    Spent most of leisure time outside.

    After 5 days, fresh water (60 gal) was low, black tank was close to full (40 gal), gray tank was OK. We were ready to do laundry and buy some groceries.

    Normally the batteries are first to go, but this trip it was the water that got us up to leave.
  • 1 - Projected Amp Hrs for 24 hrs: 78 amps
    2 - Current # of batteries: 2
    3 - Current # Amp Hours your batteries have: 150AH
    4 - Battery voltage: 12v Group24
    5 - How long do your batteries last based on #1: 8 hours
    6 - How long each day do you run your generator to get recharged: 2 hours/day in the evening to last throughout the night
    7 - Additional Info: Running a 1.86 amp dc fan at night quickly discharges our batteries over the night. We need more AH/RC battery bank and looking at switching to 4 6v battery bank.