Camping off-grid & batteries/propane/solar
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 c...
Forum Discussion
Your furnace is the largest consumer of 12 volt power. How long it takes to drain a single battery, would depend on outside temperature, wind, length and frequency of door opening, and how well the trailer is insulated.
Lights, bath fan, water pump, and refrigerator, don't use a lot of power, when used conservatively. Changing all your lights to LED bulbs, will help reduce your power consumption.
As for battery storage, there are several options:
1. Custom welding of a frame to hold multiple battery boxes.
2. Purchase a Torklift battery box (Here's a link). They make several versions. Some have built in solar chargers.
3. Purchase some other box and customize it yourself. Here's a link to the box I used. I mounted it with U-bolts, and cut holes (with rubber grommets) for cabling. Also installed a battery cut off switch, in the side of the box.
Recharging your batteries will also vary. It depends on available sunlight hours, angle of your panels, number and wattage of panels, output from your controller, and power usage.
Lights, bath fan, water pump, and refrigerator, don't use a lot of power, when used conservatively. Changing all your lights to LED bulbs, will help reduce your power consumption.
As for battery storage, there are several options:
1. Custom welding of a frame to hold multiple battery boxes.
2. Purchase a Torklift battery box (Here's a link). They make several versions. Some have built in solar chargers.
3. Purchase some other box and customize it yourself. Here's a link to the box I used. I mounted it with U-bolts, and cut holes (with rubber grommets) for cabling. Also installed a battery cut off switch, in the side of the box.
Recharging your batteries will also vary. It depends on available sunlight hours, angle of your panels, number and wattage of panels, output from your controller, and power usage.
