Here's our latest weekend out in early September. What a great time of year to be out in the central Colorado boonies!
memtb wrote:
We spend or at least use to, three(3) weeks every year....boondocking and elk hunting. Hope to start spending more time out!
Solar is great, but in the fall/winter, with cold weather, short days, and long (cold) nights....you would need quite a system.
We have six (6) panels and six (6) batteries.....and still have to use the generator a bit. Though, we’re pretty wasteful. We probably average 3 hours television/day, plus the furnace runs a lot when the temps are in single digits. But....that’s winter camping!
My Jeep couldn't even move all those batteries!
We spend or at least use to, three(3) weeks every year....boondocking and elk hunting. Hope to start spending more time out!
Solar is great, but in the fall/winter, with cold weather, short days, and long (cold) nights....you would need quite a system.
We have six (6) panels and six (6) batteries.....and still have to use the generator a bit. Though, we’re pretty wasteful. We probably average 3 hours television/day, plus the furnace runs a lot when the temps are in single digits. But....that’s winter camping!
Solar is great, but in the fall/winter, with cold weather, short days, and long (cold) nights....you would need quite a system.
We have six (6) panels and six (6) batteries.....and still have to use the generator a bit. Though, we’re pretty wasteful. We probably average 3 hours television/day, plus the furnace runs a lot when the temps are in single digits. But....that’s winter camping!
profdant139 wrote:
Jim, how do you get ten days out of the batteries --do you have solar??
Have been looking at solar for years but can't afford it. We do a lot of little things to make the batteries last. We didn't have a generator at first, so we had to learn how to milk the batteries. I have 2 separate batteries, both Lifeline AGM group 31 which are a bit expensive (around $350 each), but work great. I don't baby them, (leave them in the trailer year round) through Michigan winters. I've had one for 9 years and one for 7 years without any hint of failure. Replaced the 9 year one last year as I was starting to get a little worried it would quit on me some day. Still use it in the garage as it holds a charge almost forever. They go through a 3 way switch so I can run each separate. I use one until it's down to about 75% then switch to the other battery. That way if I drain one accidentally I still have a backup. The Lifelines can be run down to zero without damage (I've done it accidentally several times) but I wouldn't recommend it as I'm sure it shortens the battery life. When I charge them I do each separately also.
I also use an ammeter in line so I can monitor current draw (biggest draw is the furnace at about 7 amps). I've replaced all the bulbs with LED's. The standard bulbs can draw an amp or more per bulb, whereas the LED's are about 1/10 of that.
We make a point of minimizing battery use by using a propane lantern outside at night, and have flashlights for inside the trailer. Also have a Coleman coffee maker that works on the propane stove. I'm not saying my way will work for everyone, but it works for us.
The ammeter is a zero center (I've replaced it with a 30A version) so I can see charge or discharge. I installed a digital volt meter that can show me the state of charge also.
