Do I need a generator?
I've been camping for years and haven't felt the need for a generator but now I will be doing more trips without hookups available. My trailer has a single battery, and I only use it for lights, and ...
Forum Discussion
Steve B. wrote:
Well, this has certainly been interesting. Looks like those with big RVs just don't get that some of us still camp with next to nothing that uses power. No furnace. No slides. No water pump. No AC (although I do have it for when I'm hooked up to 30 amp.) I did state that I'm only using 3 light fixtures, and only one at a time - it's a LITTLE trailer! I'm still not sure about the refrigerator needing power as the 12 v and 110v switches have to be turned off in order to run it on propane. To me, that means it is not using power. As to the new LED bulbs I just put in the fixtures, they look like regular light bulbs, but are LEDs. None of them worked in the base up fixture, but all worked in the other two fixtures, and the original 12v bulbs I used work in that fixture, base up. So, I have to assume that the LEDs that I bought don't work base up.
I will take a couple of the new LED lanterns with me in case I run out of power and I'll be content with that. Thanks for all of the input!!
Most newer fridges have a computer board that pulls 12v power even when the fridge is set to propane. Older fridges like mine (original 75) don't have any electronics in them so don't pull any 12v power. You should be able to look up a manual for your fridge model and see if it says anything about pulling from 12v while on propane.
My camping is very simple like yours. I do have water tanks, so I pull 12v power for that. I leave it on for my entire trip. I usually have one light max on in the evening, but honestly prefer no lights while I read my paperwhite kindle and watch out the window. My overhead lights are fluorescent not LED, I mostly use the one over the stove and sink. I use a Mr Heater Little Buddy if I need heat (rarely). As I have said, I routinely go 4 days without any observable drop in the battery (the gauge shows fully charged at the end of the trip). I have some battery puck lights in strategic locations and use them when the overheads are overkill.
On your light fixtures, double check the bases. I have two fixtures that work with a single "bump" incandescent bulb, but will only take a two "bump" led bulb. The bases are exactly the same size other than the "bumps".
