What runs on battery?

[zorr59]

Ok I've read several of the post throughout this forum. I thought I read somewhere those who boondock have TV. I don't. The only thing that runs when I boondock are the lights, radio, bed lifts and exhaust fans. I have (1) 12v battery. Does this sound right?

2012 Dutchman rubicon M2600 TH

[Almot]

Yep. This Ebay guy ships via slow boat from China. Takes 3 weeks. Sometimes it arrives via air mail, if package is small, and then it takes a week.
And - yep, Amazon sells same China-boards. For me, being in Canada, dealing with Amazon for such small items is inconvenient. Besides, on Amazon you have to spend minimum $35 per order, to get a free shipping.

[Sam_Spade]

LaunchnRetrieve wrote:
Thanks for the link, Almot.

The only problem I see with that is they ship from China.

If you look around a bit....also Amazon....you can find them for about the same price that ship from the US. MUCH easier to make a return or warranty claim should that be necessary.

I got about 15 of the bayonet style for about $2.50 each.

[LaunchnRetrieve]

Thanks for the link, Almot.

[Almot]

LaunchnRetrieve wrote:
Maybe my search skills are deficient, but searching campingworld the lowest price I found was $10, not 2-2.50. Got a link?

As much as I'm trying not to help the economy of already powerful and dangerous dictatorship regime, I think that Campingworld is a sort of Walmart of camping, selling same no-name Chinese LEDs as Ebay.

With wedge socket: 24*5050 SMD
They come with other sockets as well. And in other brightness or color. This one is equivalent to 18W automotive bulb in both brightness and color. I can hardly tell the difference, other than it's less "blinding" than automotive when you look at it, because the light source is more evenly distributed. You might be able to find cheaper, but this one is where many members bought and I don't regret.

[LaunchnRetrieve]

Almot wrote:

RoyB wrote:
replace all of the AUTOMOTIVE type lamp bulbs with very low wattage LED units. The automotive light bulb will draw around 1AMP of DC CURRENT

More like 1.5 Amps each bulb. LED bulb would draw 0.3A each. At $2-2.50 each it's a no brainer.

Maybe my search skills are deficient, but searching campingworld the lowest price I found was $10, not 2-2.50. Got a link?

[tenbear]

wa8yxm wrote:
What runs on battery ONLY:
Lights, Fans, Water pump, Furnace, TV (OTA) antenna, Optionally The TV
Motors that move things like Slides or Jacks

Most Furnaces run on 12v and propane.

[wa8yxm]

What runs on battery ONLY:
Lights, Fans, Water pump, Furnace, TV (OTA) antenna, Optionally The TV
Motors that move things like Slides or Jacks.

What runs on Gas or 120vac but USES battery power for command and control?
Water heater, Fridge (see note) Air Conditioners

Some fridges are 3-Way, and can run on 12 volt. I DO NOT recommend doing it.

In my coach I have a freezer that is 12 volt (3 amps running) but this is not a standard RV product.. Norcold and Dometic both make ones like it, and at least one model of RV fridge that's all electric,, Runs on 12 or 120 volt.. I do like those. Again 3-4 amps if running on DC. This is in the range of a 2-lamp light fixture.

[Almot]

RoyB wrote:
replace all of the AUTOMOTIVE type lamp bulbs with very low wattage LED units. The automotive light bulb will draw around 1AMP of DC CURRENT

More like 1.5 Amps each bulb. LED bulb would draw 0.3A each. At $2-2.50 each it's a no brainer.

[Bobbo]

Sam Spade wrote:

Bobbo wrote:

Those who boondock and have TV have an inverter that "inverts" 12v power from the battery back to 120v for the TV.

Some actually have a TV that runs directly from 12 V. They are more common than you might think.

Apparently, not the OP. Otherwise he would not have been asking about it.

[pianotuna]

If your needs are modest add 400 watts of solar and a decent charge controller. That will make you energy independent when boondocking.

[mbopp]

Yes, some TV's use a "brick" power supply that has a 12VDC output to the TV. Since most trailers have a 12V power outlet by the TV you can (CAREFULLY) make up a 12V plug to "M"-connector cable to power the TV directly from 12V.

Caveat - if you don't know what your doing, don't attempt this. You may be buying a new TV.

[Sam_Spade]

Bobbo wrote:

Those who boondock and have TV have an inverter that "inverts" 12v power from the battery back to 120v for the TV.

Some actually have a TV that runs directly from 12 V. They are more common than you might think.

[zorr59]

Thanks everyone. Great info. The 12 volt side of life was a great read.

Ken

[tenbear]

Some smaller TVs use an adapter to convert the 120vac to 12vdc. You can get rid of the adapter and run the TV directly off 12v.