Do I need a generator?

[Steve_B_]

I've been camping for years and haven't felt the need for a generator but now I will be doing more trips without hookups available. My trailer has a single battery, and I only use it for lights, and usually only have one on at a time. I have no idea how long the battery will/should last, just running lights. I replace it about every 4 years. I don't even have a meter to tell me how much life is in it. A generator seems like a big investment, and there is the maintenance to think about as well, although it would be nice to have at home in an emergency. If I just hook up to my vehicle to recharge, how long does that take? If I'm in a spot for a week and then drive a day to another area, is that long enough to recharge? As you can see, I'm pretty ignorant on all of this but it just hasn't been a concern until now. Since retiring a few years ago, my goal has been longer trips. That didn't become possible until now, with the loss of my mom a few weeks ago. I don't like listening to other campers' generators so I've been reluctant to get one but the site I have this summer for a week is so private, no one would have to listen to it but me.

[Harvey51]

Steve, you could manage nicely with a couple of flashlights and some batteries for them! I'm sure your RV battery is more than adequate, particularly with some engine charging while traveling. We camped for quite a few years with one of those battery booster things with a motorcycle battery in it. We plugged it into the cigar lighter while travelling and into the tent trailer when camped. No problems with just several lights.

The first couple of years with our motorhome we only had engine charging on two batteries and it wasn't enough for lights, water pump, furnace fridge (ours uses 12 volt power all the time, more when cooling), and the usual phones and tablets to charge. We had to take a drive every day to get some charging and the batteries failed in the second year due to spending too much time below 50% charge. Now, a 100 watt solar panel keeps those batteries well above 80% all the time. Never plug in, no generator.

[joebedford]

Steve B. wrote:
Looks like those with big RVs just don't get that some of us still camp with next to nothing that uses power.

We have a big RV but we still rough it too: when we're roughing it, our inverter will only power two of the four TVs.

[BillW44]

When you need one is when it won't work. Never fails. The starter will fail. You'll forget and shut it down while under load and it will blow out a $200 part that's hidden behind it and you'd have to remove the entire generator to get to it.

It never fails. Buy a small gas operated one from Harbor Freight and forget the fancy onboard stuff.

[Daveevans]

Hey Steve, first off I'm sorry to hear of your loss but the outdoors will do you well.
As far as the generator goes, it sounds like your camping style doesn't require much electricity which puts you in the market for maybe a 1000 or 2000 Watt generator. That should be plenty of power for what you need.

Two major things to consider;
1) I would recommend a QUIET power generator thus you would want to look at inverter generators. It makes a world of difference when you are out in the wilderness.

2) If you plan on charging your trailer battery with the inverter generator I would strongly recommend purchasing a proper 12v battery charger and running it off the AC outlet of your inverter generator as opposed to charging the battery DIRECTLY off the generator. This is because generators typically do not have a shut off sensor when the battery is fully charged and you risk overcharging and thus damaging the battery.

I found this site to be really helpful when it came to finding the right inverter generator for my needs;

https://www.quietpowergenerators.com/generators-vs-inverters/

The "inverters vs generators" page is very insightful and arms you with the knowledge necessary to make an educated purchase. They also have detailed reviews of the latest and best selling inverter generators on the market.

Hope this helps Steve. Safe travels!

[Bobbo]

Steve B. wrote:
I'm still not sure about the refrigerator needing power as the 12 v and 110v switches have to be turned off in order to run it on propane. To me, that means it is not using power.

Do a test. Unplug from shore power and take the negative wire off of the battery. That way, you truly have NO POWER. Now, turn on your refrigerator and see if it works.

I bet it doesn't.

[profdant139]

Steve, my trailer and my style of camping is very much like yours -- minimal power consumption. We do have a generator but almost never use it. We have two group 31s and a 120 watt portable solar panel, which tops us up almost every day. Honestly, we don't need the generator, but I am one of those very risk-adverse people -- what if the sun does not shine for a full week? Plus we have the generator for emergency home use, so we drag it along when we camp. It just sits in the truck, doing nothing.

My advice is to try a week of camping with no generator and see if you really need one.

By the way, your post mentioned that you don't have a meter for your battery. You DO have a hand-held multi-meter, right? You really need to keep tabs on the batteries -- they say you should never run a battery down below 50 per cent state of charge, or 12.1 volts. If you do, they say it will greatly shorten the battery's life span.

I'm not an expert, so I don't really know if what they say is true, but I follow their advice.

[toedtoes]

Steve B. wrote:
Well, this has certainly been interesting. Looks like those with big RVs just don't get that some of us still camp with next to nothing that uses power. No furnace. No slides. No water pump. No AC (although I do have it for when I'm hooked up to 30 amp.) I did state that I'm only using 3 light fixtures, and only one at a time - it's a LITTLE trailer! I'm still not sure about the refrigerator needing power as the 12 v and 110v switches have to be turned off in order to run it on propane. To me, that means it is not using power. As to the new LED bulbs I just put in the fixtures, they look like regular light bulbs, but are LEDs. None of them worked in the base up fixture, but all worked in the other two fixtures, and the original 12v bulbs I used work in that fixture, base up. So, I have to assume that the LEDs that I bought don't work base up.
I will take a couple of the new LED lanterns with me in case I run out of power and I'll be content with that. Thanks for all of the input!!

Most newer fridges have a computer board that pulls 12v power even when the fridge is set to propane. Older fridges like mine (original 75) don't have any electronics in them so don't pull any 12v power. You should be able to look up a manual for your fridge model and see if it says anything about pulling from 12v while on propane.

My camping is very simple like yours. I do have water tanks, so I pull 12v power for that. I leave it on for my entire trip. I usually have one light max on in the evening, but honestly prefer no lights while I read my paperwhite kindle and watch out the window. My overhead lights are fluorescent not LED, I mostly use the one over the stove and sink. I use a Mr Heater Little Buddy if I need heat (rarely). As I have said, I routinely go 4 days without any observable drop in the battery (the gauge shows fully charged at the end of the trip). I have some battery puck lights in strategic locations and use them when the overheads are overkill.

On your light fixtures, double check the bases. I have two fixtures that work with a single "bump" incandescent bulb, but will only take a two "bump" led bulb. The bases are exactly the same size other than the "bumps".

[Steve_B_]

Well, this has certainly been interesting. Looks like those with big RVs just don't get that some of us still camp with next to nothing that uses power. No furnace. No slides. No water pump. No AC (although I do have it for when I'm hooked up to 30 amp.) I did state that I'm only using 3 light fixtures, and only one at a time - it's a LITTLE trailer! I'm still not sure about the refrigerator needing power as the 12 v and 110v switches have to be turned off in order to run it on propane. To me, that means it is not using power. As to the new LED bulbs I just put in the fixtures, they look like regular light bulbs, but are LEDs. None of them worked in the base up fixture, but all worked in the other two fixtures, and the original 12v bulbs I used work in that fixture, base up. So, I have to assume that the LEDs that I bought don't work base up.
I will take a couple of the new LED lanterns with me in case I run out of power and I'll be content with that. Thanks for all of the input!!

[toedtoes]

Ron3rd wrote:
Old proverb says; "when your battery goes dead, the only thing that will work is the stove"

That doesn't leave many things in the OP's trailer that won't work... 🙂

[pianotuna]

Start with an energy audit.

[Ron3rd]

Old proverb says; "when your battery goes dead, the only thing that will work is the stove"

[toedtoes]

I'd suggest some folks read the OP's posts on this thread before insisting he'll need a generator. His trailer does not have slides, water tanks, etc. He does not run TVs, stereos, etc.

Steve - I would put in a group 31 AGM battery and carry a couple lanterns and a cooler for backup.

If you make it through your longer stay without running out of power, then you're fine as is. If you run out during your trip, just go get some ice and finish the trip. Then pick up a second battery to switch out. And remember with the AGM, you can install it sideways and without venting, so you might be able to fit both already wired.

[kerrlakeRoo]

Steve, your power consumption is really low. If you want to make sure of how long you can go why dont you leave the unit plugged in at home for a couple of days to get your battery up to the charge it would normally have when your going to go on a trip.
Then unplug it.
Put a couple of cokes in your fridge, and let it run on propane and your battery alone.
Leave one of your lights on, full time, and simply check every day to see when the fridge shuts down.
Basically that duplicates what your usage would be.
With only a fridge, CO detector and a light, whether or not your in the unit changes nothing.

[Boon_Docker]

Get yourself a portable solar kit like this and you will be able to Boon Dock forever.