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mena661's avatar
mena661
Explorer
May 09, 2013

Light Usage Camping Setup...What I would do

If I wasn't such a amp hour pig, the following would be my setup:

1. Two grp 27's - we like the furnace
2. Used solar panel with a PWM controller - Whatever I could get
a. Two 130W for $210
3. LEDs
  • I have 300 amp hour AGM batteries, 200W panel. 24' class C.
    LED lights.
    3.5 amp furnace
    1 amp @ 12V Macbook Air laptop used extensively
    19" LCD TV not used extensively, if it was I'd switch to more efficient LED TV.
    Various small chargers, 4G amplifier, etc.
    Fantastic Fans as needed.
    No attempt to use 12 volt power to heat anything such as water, food, etc.

    For my use, three or four days here or there, it is plenty. It would be plenty for a week in typical camping temperatures. The more I'm out of the RV exploring, socializing etc, the less power I consume. If it comes home with a battery deficit a day or two parked in the sun takes care of it.
  • While having a fairly small trailer provides an advantage, I can dry camp until I fill the tanks (the longest so far has been 2 weeks). I have all LED lighting, a furnace that only draws 1.8 amps, a pair of 6V, 225 amp/hr batteries, and a 95 Watt solar panel with a PWM controller.

    Additional loads include making a pot of coffee each morning using a 5 cup, 600 watt coffee maker, a couple of hours per day on a computer that draws as much as 9 amps @ 12V, a 3 watt Cell amplifier & WiFi Ranger router, and a bunch of misc battery chargers. I don't carry a generator.
  • I had all LEDs in my "old" 5er. HUGE difference in power draw.
  • I'd rearrange order:

    LEDs
    2 6V GC batteries
    Solar Panel and controller

    2 Group 27's have about same AH capicity as 2 GC's, GC's seem to be better designed for RV's; certainly either will serve you well.

    We have all LED lighting, 2 GC's, 2KW gen, just added 220 watts solar. Presently we can go 4-6 days (not needing heat) between charging. Hoping with solar to essentially eliminate having to run generator. Kinda wish I had gotten solar before gen; may well have not needed it (at least handy if we loose power during storms).

    Regards,
    Doug
  • My set up is two group 24, two 128 watt (24volt) panels, MPPT controller, and LED lights.
  • That's basically what I have. 265watt solar with PWM controller and 2 GC2 six volt batteries. Works great for long weekend dry camping

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