JimHanus
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Joined 12 years ago
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Re: Your Favorite Boondocking Pics
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!565Views0likes0CommentsRe: Your Favorite Boondocking Pics
steveh27 wrote: JimHanus wrote: steveh27 wrote: I also boondock in the Pigeon River Country State Forest. I do it in early October and have seen 2 big bull elk and hear them bugling. Where do you set up camp? Do you hunt? I've tried grouse hunting there, but never saw nor heard one. I'm keeping my exact spot secret to not have it taken when I go. There are many spots to camp. I grouse hunt, no deer. I've been camping there (mostly boondocking)for over 50 years. Maybe we'll cross paths this October. Here's my website for the area: Pigeon River Country by Jim Hanus564Views0likes0CommentsRe: Your Favorite Boondocking Pics
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.564Views0likes0CommentsRe: Installed new Norcold board and fridge still won't work
I know this is an old thread, but here is my experience. My TT had a bad outlet that the fridge was plugged into. Not bad as in not working, just dampness would get into it in heavy rains (not obvious water) and trip the GFCI. The fridge is somehow wired through the GFCI which is located in the bathroom (not a real obvious link), so even on 12V only (we only boondock), the fridge wouldn't light with the GFCI tripped. Replaced the fridge outlet and all is fine. Also replaced the GFCI with one that has a green led when good and switches to a red led when tripped. Also wrote on the fridge outlet as a reminder that it was connected to the GFCI. This was the second TT I've had with a fridge not working due to a GFCI being tripped. Slow learner I guess :)496Views0likes0CommentsRe: Blow out the water??
I've used both systems. The air never seemed to get all the water out so I didn't trust it. I now use antifreeze exclusively, and I recycle it by pumping it back into the bottles and using it again next year. I know it gets slightly diluted, so I add a new bottle each year ($3.00). I also have a gauge to check the strength of the antifreeze.377Views0likes0CommentsRe: Re-purpose TV Cabinet
The middle shelf rests all along the cove moulding on the 2 back edges so it's very strong. The moulding is glued and tacked to the wall. I haven't decided how to attach the shelf to the moulding because I want to be able to remove it at a later date. I'll probably put a couple of wood screws at the back through the shelf into the moulding to keep it in place without glue. That way I can take it out easily if I need to.311Views0likes0Comments
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Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Mar 06, 202544,027 Posts
