Camping in a tent site

Hi,

Using shore power and solar at the same time to save on electricity cost is fairly unusual.

Solar is mainly for charging the battery bank. For that purpose--with enough solar wattage the 'converter' may be left unplugged. When the battery bank is fully charged it would be possible to have a controller that is capable of diversion loads. For example a 12 volt water heating element could be installed.

Using a hybrid inverter, it would be possible to limit shore power use during peak solar hours by setting the input amperage way down to 3 or 4 amps. I don't think this is a wise idea.

The other issue is economic. If you had 600 watts of solar it would, under perfect solar conditions, generate about 3 kwh of power per day. At 15 cents per kwh all that would be saved is 45 cents a day.

Where solar shines is when it is compared to the cost of running a gas generator. 600 watts of panels, with an adequate battery bank would pretty much eliminate generator use. The one item that would be not possible would be the air conditioner. For that, a much bigger solar farm would be needed. It could be done, but probably a 24 or 48 volt battery bank with a lithium ion battery bank would be best with about 1800 watts of panels.

If you want to run the air conditioner, head for a low cost campground and use their shore power.

Not in any Washington State Parks

pianotuna wrote:
A hybrid inverter can do load support. If you are on a 15 amp circuit and the RV loads exceed that number the inverter will draw the extra power from the battery bank rather than blowing the shore power breaker. When the "overload" ceases the battery charging portion of the inverter recharges the battery bank.

I have the Magnum 3000 watt unit.

Interesting. I am considering adding a few solar panels, and potentially expanding the battery bay. I would have the shore power/generator for the AC and maybe microwave, and then use an inverter to power other things...tv, laptop, cell phone, etc. I want the shore power to be separate from the solar power so both can be used at the same time rather than one or the other. Basically, if I'm at an RV site and plugged into metered shore power, I only want to use it for AC and microwave. That way I can use the free solar power for other things rather than everything running off of shore power making my electric bill go up. I know those other things use a lot less electricity than AC and some may consider the difference to be negligible, but to me its not just about saving a few bucks, its the idea of being more green.

I hope that makes sense. I'm still learning how all of the power systems are related. How would a hybrid inverter fit into that scheme?

A hybrid inverter can do load support. If you are on a 15 amp circuit and the RV loads exceed that number the inverter will draw the extra power from the battery bank rather than blowing the shore power breaker. When the "overload" ceases the battery charging portion of the inverter recharges the battery bank.

I have the Magnum 3000 watt unit.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

If you plan on urban docking (bar parking lots) get yourself a hybrid inverter so you can 'dial down' your electrical demands. That is the 2nd most used feature for me.

A hybrid inverter? I want to know more!

mike brez wrote:

JimM68 wrote:
I used to read a blog by an "older gentleman" with a small class c (Tioga George) who would pretty much camp anywhere he wanted to. He'd stop on the side of the road in a subdivision at 10 or 11 pm, sleep, get up at 5, walk his dog and make breakfast and motor on by 6, there and gone before anyone even noticed him.

He would pause in various legal places to freely dump tanks and refill water when needed, spend his days parked in parks or beaches. He had solar and a gennie, and was pretty much self sufficient. A hoot to read too.

I use to read his blog all the time.

I also followed his blog...... found it very interesting. I hated to see him stop posting but life goes on. When he lost his son, it was very hard for him which I understand.

He found the best places to stay in Mexico for free. I liked reading his monthly expenditure statement as he was on a very tight budget.

MM.

Hi,

If you plan on urban docking (bar parking lots) get yourself a hybrid inverter so you can 'dial down' your electrical demands. That is the 2nd most used feature for me.

Boondocking is definitely something I would want to do. There just don't seem to be many places available near the city of Nashville. I plan on working in/or around Nashville. I am also a musician so I would like to be able to close to the city for that reason. Again, its probably wishful thinking to want to be close to an Urban area AND have good, free, outdoorsy boon docking sites.

I have called about monthly rates from many of the RV parks near the city. They are mostly in the $500 and up range. That's fine, and it's what I will do most of the time, but if I can boon dock for free 4 months out of the year, thats $2000 saved. That pays for my solar power system. I realize boon docking isn't entirely FREE, but even if I managed to save $1000 in a year....

A class B or B+ would definitely be more stealthy, but as a musician, I have a lot of gear and just need more space.

I might just have to suck it up and pay the monthly rates at the RV parks. I'll save to boon docking for when hit the road with a band. I won't need any long term places then, and Walmarts and bar parking lots will suffice.

I appreciate the suggestions, and I have bookmarked the links posted above! :D

Would another option be boondocking - ie state or national forests?

Also, if you are 62 or older, get the lifetime America the Beautiful pass - National Parks, Forests, BLM, and COE discounts.

I recall that I did hear that sometimes a Corp of Engineers campground will allow monthly stays during the winter months. You might want to call one close to you and ask.

Also, unless you have another full-time job, why not consider volunteering or working for cash at a Corp park? State park? They would most likely give you your campsite free.