Boondocking

[jacko1]

It's probably correct that boon docking means different things to different folks. I do go places where one can run a generator all the while if you wish. Can agree that some people want peace and quiet. The basis of my original question possibly should have been worded as thus.
I sometimes accompany friends to campgrounds knowing that there are no hookups but was told when booking that it was OK to run your generator. At check in (sometimes late afternoon or early evening) you are told you can only run your generator between 9:00am and 11:00am or 5:00pm to 8:00 pm and your choices are limited. Then at 8:03 if your generator is still running all heck brakes loose. My 2011 Diplomat had real problems even with everything shut down except the refer making it until 9:00. Would the Cornerstone do better.

[Tha_Rooster]

Maybe your friends might camp in a different type of campground were you can use your coaches luxuries.

[Smitty77]

Congrats on your upcoming new rig!

With the 200 watt SP option, you may very well be OK. Only going out and using it for a few months, learning how the battery bank supports both the rig's equipment, and your usage style, will confirm that your OK.

If not, after investing this amount of funds in a new coach, figure out an upgraded solar panel path that could support you better. (I have no real knowledge of how this coaches optional 200W SP is installed. Many manufacturers do not use heavy enough gauge wire runs. And lower quality Controllers.)

My intended message is to set this coach up to support how you two wish to use the rig. After this major of a purchase, a few thousand more to really beef up a solar panel array is worth the investment to allow using your rig you're way!

Again, you may find it is 'great as is', hope so. If not, then check back into the Going Green forum, and start researching options.

We determined after two years, that we wanted to do a higher percentage of Boon Docking. We replaced our two older 8D AGM's, with four L16 AGM Lifelines for a 800AH bank. We are propane for our fridge and range top, and diesel for our Hydro Hot heating. We also use a Propane Heat Buddy for our colder nights, tapped into the coach propane tank. Finally we're about 65% thru with upgrading to LED's.

We added a 1200W 48V Higher End Panasonic/Sharp Solar Panel set, with a Midnight Solar Classic 150 controller.

With a few movies, normal usage of night lights, stereo usage, and AM coffee pot usage. We are between 75-80% SOC a little after the coffee has brewed. With the over sized Solar Panels, we're typically at float mode by noon. (Flat roof mounted, September usage, up in the South Dakota and Wyoming Tetons during this 6 weeks of usage.)

The only time we've had to run the generator, except to monthly maintain it - was when we had 5-6" of snow on the roof!

I went oversize on battery bank, and solar panels, as we do consume up to 200AH's per day (usually between 150-175AH, but sometimes the DW uses her hair dryer and other high usage instruments of beatification!)

Enjoy your rig, and it would be nice if you close the loop back after a few months of usage - and let us know how well your full electric coach is doing 'as is'.

Best,
Smitty

[wblynch]

Those solar panels are the greatest thing! You're going to love that.

With solar panels, LED lights, new LED TV's and propane appliances you can go days and days with little, if any, generator use.

Our little class-C needs just 1 hour a day of generator to top off the batteries, but that's only when we're parked in shade. In the open sun we don't need the generator at all.

Certainly, satellite receivers and DVRs are power hungry luxuries. You can get 12 volt blue ray players that take less than 1 amp while in use.

[Groovy]

The key to happy boondocking is to install a good-sized solar power system.

Since we started full-timing in 2007, we have boondocked nearly 100% of the time (not even sure where that shore power cord is stored!). And we live the same way we did in our house.

There's a lot of info about solar power on our website, including a solar power tutorial…

Solar Power for RV's and Boats

Hopefully that might give you some ideas… it's not expensive and not hard to install yourself...