Battery-generator-charging upgrades?
This year will be our longest boondocking trip to date 7-10 days and want to upgrade our camper for this trip. I'd appreciate some suggestions and feedback to make sure we spend our limited budget wis...
Forum Discussion
SoundGuy wrote:rjxj wrote:
I dont know if I would wire the building for 12 volts vs using led 120 volt bulbs. The led have come way down in price. If you ever want power to the cabin it would be ready with 120v.
Depends - if this cabin is eventually going to have 120 vac service then sure 120 vac LED lighting makes sense, but it it's never going to have power then I would think 12 vdc LED would be the better solution.
It will always be off-grid. The new generator may be available, but like this camping trip, only as absolutely necessary.
I'll put a 100lb tank up there and maybe a little solar, but we are in a deep valley. Direct sun is about 10:30am-10:32am LOL
Probably enough there to help a battery, but we're planning to have an axle-mounted water tank with battery that gets towed up with ATV when camping there. Store the battery in the garage, keep the water fresh. If it was occupied a night or two every 2 months, that would be a LOT.
It might get day use as our friends have dogs that can't stay alone for long and our house isn't indoor pet friendly. We'll eventually have an outdoor enclosure/run and of course they will have inside privileges.
It isn't going to be fancy. Rough lumber and small to start. Outhouse. Eventually hope to make it a small camp with room for tents, a gazebo, woodshed, whatever.
This is why 12v LED lights would be nice. Run on battery (maybe our current Group 31 from the camper), and might get an RV converter setup and fridge. I have a couple of fridges that I can surely get one repaired and charged to use.
The generator should be able to slip right in there and power/recharge nicely. Like a camper, we plan on having some 120v outlets as well that only work when the generator is on. That is where the remote start will come in handy in both situations.
The cabin location isn't very remote from the house. Maybe 600 yds? Far enough not to carry too much by hand without a backpack. We're in the woods here anyways.
Hope this helps you all to see our plans.
BTW, when it is done (spring maybe?), I'll put up some pics. We are pretty easy going folks, so feel free to come for burgers and take a tour once it's up ;)
