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 wisely ;)
We currently have a Group 31 deep cycle battery (few yrs old) and Elixir ELX-45 converter "dumb charger" system. We converted MOST of our lights to LED a while back. I installed a water pressure tank to reduce pump running time a few yrs ago.
Our bathroom exhaust fan is new, but not a Fantastic fan :(
The setup we're looking to upgrade to is this:
1. Boondocker 4 Stage Power Center 60 Amp (BPC4-60) .... OR just the BD 1255 MBA 55 Amp 4-Stage Main Board Replacement
2. Champion Power Equipment 75537i 3100 Watt RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator with Wireless Remote Start
3. Two GC2 6v Golf Cart Batteries (don't have a supplier yet?)
Our plans include a coffee maker run twice a day, microwave run about 10 mins a few times throughout the day, electric skillet about 45 mins each am and once in a while through the day, and possibly rooftop 13,500 BTU air conditioner run up to 2-3 hours per day.
We plan to run some water for toilet and some dishes, but showers at the campground facilities. The CG is non-electric and no hookups.
So right now I am thinking we'll run the generator and hour or so in the am to make coffee, microwave, and electric skillet for breakfast.
I may pick up a portable propane burner for cooking, we really don't want to cook indoors and don't want to worry about fire/grill/etc in the am while we get ready to leave (destination camping).
I also have a 7.3L Excursion upgraded to 140 amp single alternator (stock is 110 amp).
The site is likely partially shaded, plus we usually camp with only electric hookups with the camper. So we're thinking Solar is too expensive for very limited use and won't run the A/C anyways (at least not in our budget). Yes, we tent camp and such, but the camper is our hotel-away-from-home and we often treat it as such.
Reuse of items.
We are building a small off-grid cabin for weekend guests and short getaways, so figure we will use the generator there, too.
It's possible we will wire the cabin with an RV-style converter/charger setup, with lights all being 12V, with electric option if the generator is running. Basically camper wiring, water tanks, fridge, etc inside a stick frame building
I can upgrade the Elixir or just the main charging board. I can use an external charger. I can hookup "whatever" to the generator.
What would you add/upgrade to have the most comfort with the lower end of the budget for the occasional boondock up to 10 days?
Our camper is a 2004 Starcraft 23SRG Hybrid with PUGs for over the two beds.
Thanks for any input and suggestions.
We currently have a Group 31 deep cycle battery (few yrs old) and Elixir ELX-45 converter "dumb charger" system. We converted MOST of our lights to LED a while back. I installed a water pressure tank to reduce pump running time a few yrs ago.
Our bathroom exhaust fan is new, but not a Fantastic fan :(
The setup we're looking to upgrade to is this:
1. Boondocker 4 Stage Power Center 60 Amp (BPC4-60) .... OR just the BD 1255 MBA 55 Amp 4-Stage Main Board Replacement
2. Champion Power Equipment 75537i 3100 Watt RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator with Wireless Remote Start
3. Two GC2 6v Golf Cart Batteries (don't have a supplier yet?)
Our plans include a coffee maker run twice a day, microwave run about 10 mins a few times throughout the day, electric skillet about 45 mins each am and once in a while through the day, and possibly rooftop 13,500 BTU air conditioner run up to 2-3 hours per day.
We plan to run some water for toilet and some dishes, but showers at the campground facilities. The CG is non-electric and no hookups.
So right now I am thinking we'll run the generator and hour or so in the am to make coffee, microwave, and electric skillet for breakfast.
I may pick up a portable propane burner for cooking, we really don't want to cook indoors and don't want to worry about fire/grill/etc in the am while we get ready to leave (destination camping).
I also have a 7.3L Excursion upgraded to 140 amp single alternator (stock is 110 amp).
The site is likely partially shaded, plus we usually camp with only electric hookups with the camper. So we're thinking Solar is too expensive for very limited use and won't run the A/C anyways (at least not in our budget). Yes, we tent camp and such, but the camper is our hotel-away-from-home and we often treat it as such.
Reuse of items.
We are building a small off-grid cabin for weekend guests and short getaways, so figure we will use the generator there, too.
It's possible we will wire the cabin with an RV-style converter/charger setup, with lights all being 12V, with electric option if the generator is running. Basically camper wiring, water tanks, fridge, etc inside a stick frame building
I can upgrade the Elixir or just the main charging board. I can use an external charger. I can hookup "whatever" to the generator.
What would you add/upgrade to have the most comfort with the lower end of the budget for the occasional boondock up to 10 days?
Our camper is a 2004 Starcraft 23SRG Hybrid with PUGs for over the two beds.
Thanks for any input and suggestions.
