Boondocking and working with no electricity
Hey all, obligatory "just started fulltiming" (class C Coachmen leprechaun 32 ft) and we have been thinking about boondocking with the weeks that we have to be away from a thousand trails campgrounds....
Forum Discussion
A simple, yet powerful, unmounted solar system can be had for probably less than $150.
Components:
- 200-500w (depending on how much you need) USED solar panels: $50-120.
(you can find great used panels on craigslist, FB marketplace, etc)
- Charge controller: $20-$80 (depending on a few things)
- Wires and connectors: $20
- Inline fuse: $10
Total cost: $100-$200.
When you park, hook up your portable panels and point them towards the sun. Free electricity from that day forward.
You should also have a battery monitor. I use this one for ~$45 and it tells me everything I need to know...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FGFFHC6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
If you only have 1 coach battery, you definitely need to add a 2nd. With that and solar, you will probably never need your generator (but you'll have it just in case you do).
Good luck!
Chris
Components:
- 200-500w (depending on how much you need) USED solar panels: $50-120.
(you can find great used panels on craigslist, FB marketplace, etc)
- Charge controller: $20-$80 (depending on a few things)
- Wires and connectors: $20
- Inline fuse: $10
Total cost: $100-$200.
When you park, hook up your portable panels and point them towards the sun. Free electricity from that day forward.
You should also have a battery monitor. I use this one for ~$45 and it tells me everything I need to know...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FGFFHC6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
If you only have 1 coach battery, you definitely need to add a 2nd. With that and solar, you will probably never need your generator (but you'll have it just in case you do).
Good luck!
Chris
