A few of you are aware that I am picking up a Lance 1575 this weekend. I will, at time, camp in places where I will basically be off the grid in the sense that there will be no hookups. The dealer can do the following:Replace one Group 27 battery with two Group 24s- brackets need to be welded and propane needs to be moved. That is $350. Maybe I could get a battery box for two batts but the front area is pretty narrow on the 1575.I could possibly also do two 20-lb propane tanka or could I do a 30 lb propane?Posting get a portable solar panel to charge the batteries.Buy a Honda inverter generator for $1,000So I am not sure which ones would be a good move, since I do not totally understand how things work. I'm trying to do some research beforehand, so I don't get what I don't need. I don't know what is 120 vs. 12 on this trailer either.Any thoughts would be appreciated. In Colorado, I could go without the AC easily. The fan and lights would be useful to have though.

Chandne wrote:A few of you are aware that I am picking up a Lance 1575 this weekend. I will, at time, camp in places where I will basically be off the grid in the sense that there will be no hookups. The dealer can do the following:Replace one Group 27 battery with two Group 24s- brackets need to be welded and propane needs to be moved.Since you've not yet taken delivery I'd pass on the G24s and install a pair of 6 volt GC-2 deep cycle batteries which will offer significantly more reserve (~ 220 AH) than will a pair of 12 volt G24s (~ 150 AH) in the same footprint.

This one?I would be slappin some steel across the front to get 2 to 4 batteries and two bottles of propane on there. That is what I did with my pop-up a dozen years ago. If you are at all handy this is a DIY project that will come out better at lower cost than the dealer.Take the trailer as is with the group 27 and single bottle. This will get you through a few weekends to explore what you need. With conservation you can make two nights pretty easy.I see LED lighting is standard so you are miles ahead right there.I would option for the Fantastic Vent for better circulation especially with limited air conditioning. I had to put my own in. Really like it a lot.This standard vent is lame:

Battery capacity and how you charge them are going to be very important if you're running the furnace. A single battery will get you through a night. I'd recommend that you buy two 6V golf cart batteries at a big-box store like Sam's or Costco. You will need one 6"-8" length of battery cable to connect the two. The GC2 6V battery has the same footprint as a grp 24, they are taller. Get two of these and you'll have decent capacity and the 6V's are durable to some abuse.Solar charging and Boondocking are like peanut butter and jelly for the 12V system. Post over on the Tech Issues section for focused advice. A generator is a good backup plan as is also a pair of jumper cables. Your tow vehicle can be used as a backup charging system. While you're messing around with the battery situation, install a disconnect switch. This will allow you to turn off any power that the parasitic devices in your trailer use. That is important for storage.

I would read up on this site to get some electrical basics down to understand whats what in your rig. Also hang out here and ask whatever you need about the systems in the rig.http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htmTake your rig out and see how ur batt holds up under normal usage. Sometimes a second batt can get you through a trip. For others a genset will be enough for a few hours charging each am/pm. If you dry camp constantly then solar plus large 6v batts and a back-up genset will guarantee you always have power. It may take a season to find out where you fall in the above categories. Enjoy the journeyDaryll

westend wrote: A single battery will get you through a night. How long a single battery lasts is totally dependent on the outside temp.

Camping off-grid & batteries/propane/solar | Good Sam Community

Chandne
Explorer
Feb 19, 2017
Ooh...fishing too? Man, that sounds ridiculously nice.
happycamper002
Explorer
Feb 18, 2017
I own a piece of land there close to the city of Alturas. I spend weeks there fishing and just kicking back as my time allows.

Replenishing supplies is about 15 miles and a private airport if you have an aircraft.
Chandne
Explorer
Feb 18, 2017
Thanks haapycamper002! Your offer is appreciated. Do you run a remote RV park or own some land? I'll certainly drop you a line in advance.
happycamper002
Explorer
Feb 18, 2017
Boon Docker wrote:
This thread has become useless, might as well shut it down.

I agree, it has gotten so repetitive, it's going around in circles.

There is no need beating a dead horse.

Best wishes to OP and I hope to see you around. If you need space to boondock somewhere in Modoc County in No.CA during the summer months you are welcome to it...if you like.

Just let me know in advance so I can arrange my trip to coincide yours.

BTW: This also applies to others at no charge. I'm not competing with guys running their own RV parks.
Chandne
Explorer
Feb 18, 2017
Thanks TomG2! I can hardly wait.

Boon Docker- thanks for the info. I really like those boxes. The Lance 1575 doesn't have too much room in front but I have bookmarked that site. I'll get some specific measurements and see if I have room. The lower front of the camper sticks out and the tongue is pretty small. Your way would be idea thoughl...I may be able to do that without having to relocate the battery area backwards. Just need to see how tall those boxes are.
Boon_Docker
Explorer III
Feb 18, 2017
What I did for my 6 volters was u-bolt a 3/4" piece of treated marine grade plywood across the A frame. Then bolted one of these battery boxes to the plywood that I had painted black to match the frame. No drilling, no welding, no fuss.
TomG2
Explorer
Feb 18, 2017
Chandne wrote:
Oh yes, I should have clarified. :D That is correct...one G27 and one propane.

You can have one heck of a lot of fun RVing with that setup. The expert opinions aside.
Chandne
Explorer
Feb 18, 2017
Oh yes, I should have clarified. :D That is correct...one G27 and one propane.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Feb 18, 2017
Chandne wrote:
Oh, I decide to do nothing yet ...

So in other words you ended up with a single G27 battery and a single 20 lb propane tank? :@
Chandne
Explorer
Feb 18, 2017
Oh, I decide to do nothing yet because the dealer wanted $355 to put some new angle iron and relocate the batteries to 2x 24 group (included credit for the 27 group battery that they would take back). I plan on adding an extra battery for sure. I'll remove this angle iron, move it forward a bit, and see if I can get two batteries in there myself. Since the frontal frame area is very narrow and cannot be welded on (per Lance) that is my only options.

What I will look for first is a sturdy box that can be set on the angle iron and fit two batteries. If I cannot find a sturdy box, I'll see if I can find a long plastic box or make two smaller plastic boxes fit. I have not done anything like this before so I need to research it well and measure everything out.

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