Battery questions for boondocking

[kfp673]

Hello all,
Per my other posts, we started getting heavier into boondocking this year. As such, I quickly noticed the importance of good batteries. We always bring a portable inverter set but when we are deep in the woods we really prefer to use it as little as possible. This past weekend the nights got down to upper 30's and apparently the furnace fan eats a lot of battery because it was dead by morning. Currently we have the battery that came on our camper 2 years ago which is a single deep cycle. I have read many threads about batteries including 6v vs 12v, Optima / high end battery, etc etc. My question, specific to boondocking is bang for the buck. I'm not interested in spending $700 on batteries at this point. So would I be better off buying 2 12V batteries from Wal mart (or wherever)to replace my single, or a single "high end" battery such as Optima or similar? Or, is the 6v difference so big that it makes it worth it? My guess for next year is we will boondocks 5 or 6 weekends total (2 or 3 nights each time). With that said, what would you do keeping cost in mind? Not trying to find the literal cheapest way, rather I'm looking for "bang for the buck".
Thanks!

[pnichols]

pianotuna wrote:
Time to roll I did five years of part time without a generator. Once I was full time, I had to be a power pole princess, or upgrade the solar, or get a generator. I made a HUGE mistake and got a generator.

Don, how did/do you - worst case - thumb you nose at the weather and camping location in complete comfort with no generator? :h

[pianotuna]

Time to roll I did five years of part time without a generator. Once I was full time, I had to be a power pole princess, or upgrade the solar, or get a generator. I made a HUGE mistake and got a generator.

[pnichols]

time2roll wrote:
What if you already had solar instead of a generator? Why is solar always extra but the generator is a given initial sunk cost?

Solar is extra because the sun isn't always there, and some of us don't want to plan our drycamping around the sun.

I have five non-solar ways of drycamping without the sun, and one of them is almost as quiet as solar panels and in an emergency can fully heat and and cool the coach without the sun or propane.

IMHO solar is optional, but a generator should always be present. 🙂

[valhalla360]

time2roll wrote:
What if you already had solar instead of a generator? Why is solar always extra but the generator is a given initial sunk cost?

Do you understand what "sunk cost" means?

The OP said he already has a generator but doesn't have solar.

[wopachop]

Jim Gaffigan would ask, how you are able to cook your hot pockets??

[Thermoguy]

time2roll wrote:
What if you already had solar instead of a generator? Why is solar always extra but the generator is a given initial sunk cost?

I purchased my generator to run my A/C... I don't think solar can do that. So, even if you have solar you have to get a generator to run the A/C. I would rather have solar if the 2 were the same cost, but not even close and you still need the generator.

[time2roll]

What if you already had solar instead of a generator? Why is solar always extra but the generator is a given initial sunk cost?

[valhalla360]

time2roll wrote:
The pair of portable inverter generators were not free either.
Only reason to have a generator IMO is to run the air conditioner. I use utility power for that need.

Sure but he already has them.

If he's just charging he batteries, he's looking at a gallon or two of gas per weekend. Not free but darn close considering sunk cost.

Plus he has the capability to run the air/con...without a really extensive and EXPENSIVE solar/battery system, that's simply not an option.

[time2roll]

The pair of portable inverter generators were not free either.
Only reason to have a generator IMO is to run the air conditioner. I use utility power for that need.

[valhalla360]

pianotuna wrote:
Valhalla360,

A solar system is the nearest thing to a free lunch anyone is likely to see. My 2005 panels continue to produce their rated output.

So someone came by and installed a free solar system? Where do I sign up?

I've had solar systems before. They have their place but it's silly to drop a few thousand for a system that will only provide benefit 5-6 weekends per year when the OP has a perfectly functional generator.

A little trickle charging system would be much cheaper but won't negate the need for a generator on those 5-6 weekends per year.

[Lenny_K]

pianotuna wrote:
Blazing Zippers,

It may be best to desulphate the costco batteries and use 14.8 volts not 14.4.

They may have been chronically undercharged.

pianotuna got it right in saying that you need to get them charged at 14.8 volts. Never getting them fully charged will kill your batteries in no time at all.

[pianotuna]

Valhalla360,

A solar system is the nearest thing to a free lunch anyone is likely to see. My 2005 panels continue to produce their rated output.

[valhalla360]

pianotuna wrote:
The less time you use the rv the more sense a small solar installation makes. Every starts with the battery bank full.

If the OP can't plug it in at home, a little trickle charger sized solar panel (say 25-50watts) is OK but a big expensive solar system makes no sense.

A trickle charger won't do anything to eliminate the need for the generator for those weekends when he's using battery power and needs to replace it. (if he can plug in at home, it makes no sense)

[pianotuna]

Blazing Zippers,

It may be best to desulphate the costco batteries and use 14.8 volts not 14.4.

They may have been chronically undercharged.

[Blazing_Zippers]

A comment about Costco batteries;
I've been screwing around with either sets of two 6 volt batteries, or now I have 4 6 volt Costco batteries. Costco is a great company to work with, they are everywhere, and have good quality products. HOWEVER!!!! The 6 volt batteries just don't hold up all that well.
We just pulled into town from a 4 week trip where we experienced extreme weather changes. For what it's worth, we charged the batteries with a PD Wildcat to 14.4 volts and about an hour later, the volts were down to under 13---no usage from us except for the propane refer. 3 hours later, the readings were 12.5 with a couple LED lights. The heater ran some in the night and by morning, the volts were right at 12 even. These batteries were installed new in March. The reason these batteries were new, is two of the other Costco batteries failed and the store had me replace all of them.
When these are to be replaced, I'm going to explore Trojan 125s.