let's talk generators

The "unprepared dummy" responds>

I've got a generator, remember??....and if there's a real emergency, there's a 12v battery in the truck for gosh sakes.

You've got two 12 volt batteries?...what if BOTH fail?!

Holy ****, what then??!!

The fact is, MANY RV folks have been using two 6v batteries for longer than I can remember....and I'm sure we've all heard the countless stories of stranded RV's, right? These boards are full of them....uh huh.

Personally, I've used the golf cart batteries for over 10 years without issue. In fact, they've lasted YEARS longer than any other battery I've ever had.

But the real plus is how much longer they last than even a deep cycle 12v battery when boondocking. They are just awesome.

As always....YMMV.

Someone mentioned 6VDC golf Batteries in series

DO NOT USE 6 VDC BATTERIES

Think about it...

if one fails... what do you do with the other... what does one good 6VDC battery do for you?

The OP just got caught with no battery power in his truck camper to run his jacks (or anything else)


That is exactally what happens when one of the 6 VDC golf batteries fail.

Now... think about where TC people go to boondock... and how often do others really know where you are. Think about an emergency caused by illness or an accident... and you are down to one 6VDC battery.

When you are found you might be on the nightly news... as the unprepared dummy that got stranded along with his family... had to be rescued.

With two 12VDC batteries in parallel... one fails... you'll be OK!

That makes you look like a genius doesn't it, at least to your family.

Since you are frugal with your amps you should have no problem with your jacks. I guess I'm looking at it from perspective as I have only unloaded my camper one time. That was to drive forty miles to get a tire repaired.

It had a nail in it and didn't want to drive all that way with a low tire. Now I have a pump and plug kit.

campn4walleye wrote:
Me again,

I mis-spoke...we DON'T run much power. We are conservative with our lights. Our LEDs are the good ones that do handle power fluxes. I rarely use the microwave (I store the toaster and bread in it.) We only use the AC when it's REALLY hot for the dogs. If it's too hot, we don't go. We are not heat lovers.

Of course the fridge is run on propane if elec is not available. A tank usually lasts us a season.

You were holding out on us, I don't recall you mentioning having LEDs. :B The LEDs definitely help.

In your first post you wrote; "I think the biggest draw besides the jacks is the fridge." That led me to understand you were running your fridge on 12-volts. It is great that you responded with clarification.

campn4walleye wrote:
Maybe I shouldn't have 2 threads going, but I'm trying to keep things from getting blurred. These issues are too complicated (to me) to keep straight. Thanks for all the assistance so far.

Tough call on the two Threads, but I think you did it right. Each has it's own learning curve, especially the Solar stuff. Just accept, we will post in the wrong Thread from time to time.

campn4walleye wrote:
I can honestly say that without this forum, I wouldn't know where to start.

Although there are other RV Forums, I do think everything considerd RV.NET is the better Forum. Do look at the other Forums on RV.NET. I suggest especially the Tech Issues Forum. It will answer many of the questions on Solar and Generators. It is less TC specific, but has many knowledgeable members posting.

When you post acknowledging input, and provide details, you will discover we will will be more helpful to you, and tend to stay on topic more. Keep asking the questions.

Wayne

Our Adventurer 910FBS was purchased w/o a genny....but with a compartment for one.

We had experience with an on board Onan in a previous camper, and did not enjoy the noise and vibrations.

This time we chose a portable Yamaha 2000 generator. The Honda is a very nice unit also, but I've had great luck with the Yamaha genny's in other situations, so I chose Brand Blue. It will run the A/C in the 910FBS without complaint.

Our truck, being a gasser V10, is used as the extra fuel reservoir (if need be) by accessing the main fuel tank with a simple foot valve style siphon hose. Generators of this size get great fuel "mileage" though, so this is hardly a real issue.

In truth, we very, very rarely use a generator at all. Our camper has all LED lighting, plus I'm using two 6v golf cart batteries (they'll fit in the Adventurer's battery box...barely!). We've gone 4 nights in a row, 2 showers/night & with the heater going on regularly....with no power issues. In fact the only reason we haven't gone longer than that was that the grey tank fills up after 8 showers, so we have to move to dump. Since we're normally boondocking, the drive to a dump station will charge us back up.

But just in case....we do keep the Yamaha 2000 with us.

Put the jacks down while the engine is still running. The alternator will help feed your hungry jack>

That would be great, but our plug isn't long enough when we pull the dually (LB) out. We may think about getting it extended somehow. That may be a simpler fix.

Me again,

I mis-spoke...we DON'T run much power. We are conservative with our lights. Our LEDs are the good ones that do handle power fluxes. I rarely use the microwave (I store the toaster and bread in it.) We only use the AC when it's REALLY hot for the dogs. If it's too hot, we don't go. We are not heat lovers.

Of course the fridge is run on propane if elec is not available. A tank usually lasts us a season.

Maybe I shouldn't have 2 threads going, but I'm trying to keep things from getting blurred. These issues are too complicated (to me) to keep straight. Thanks for all the assistance so far.

I can honestly say that without this forum, I wouldn't know where to start.

I'm sure the two Threads will each get post referring to the other. I think it is best that they be separate, two different subjects, although they relate to each other in some ways.

Reddog1 wrote:

narcodog wrote:
So what does the typical 100 watt system cost?

I have not shopped for solar for a while, and the cost of solar does fluctuate quite a bit. When I bought the parts for my 130 watt system in about 2005 or 2006, a good rule of thumb was $5 per watt. I think this is for the panels only. The price is greatly influenced by not only the panels, but the quality of the controller and other components (controller, wire, mounting brackets and related parts). As I recall, my 130 watt system cost me between $800 and $1000. Each system is a little different.

I would like to point out that you can have one or more panels tied together. On a TC, there is very little real estate to locate panels, and sometimes two or more is better than just one panel. I will also point out with one panel, if you lose it (one cell shaded) you have no solar. With two or more, you only loose the one panel. You can add panels later, and can save money if you buy a controller that will accommodate the additions later.

Considering the OP has another Thread on solar, I do not want to hijack this Thread, so I will say no more here about solar.

After I posted this I saw the other thread. Thanks

narcodog wrote:
So what does the typical 100 watt system cost?

I have not shopped for solar for a while, and the cost of solar does fluctuate quite a bit. When I bought the parts for my 130 watt system in about 2005 or 2006, a good rule of thumb was $5 per watt. I think this is for the panels only. The price is greatly influenced by not only the panels, but the quality of the controller and other components (controller, wire, mounting brackets and related parts). As I recall, my 130 watt system cost me between $800 and $1000. Each system is a little different.

I would like to point out that you can have one or more panels tied together. On a TC, there is very little real estate to locate panels, and sometimes two or more is better than just one panel. I will also point out with one panel, if you lose it (one cell shaded) you have no solar. With two or more, you only loose the one panel. You can add panels later, and can save money if you buy a controller that will accommodate the additions later.

Considering the OP has another Thread on solar, I do not want to hijack this Thread, so I will say no more here about solar.