Community Forums

Steve1961 · 04-11-2017, 09:30 AM

Hey guys,
This is my first and probably not my last silly question:
We just booked an infield spot at the Pocono Speedway for 4 nights and it will be our first "boon docking" experience in our Newmar Class A Ventana..do we just run our generator full time for this 4 days and will a full tank be enough?

Sorry for the silly question, but this is all new to us.

Cheers

MSHappyCampers · 04-11-2017, 09:34 AM

Hi stephen!

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Assuming you have a diesel generator, maybe around 7.5K, then you can figure on using 1/2 to 1 GPH, depending on the load.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

milasman · 04-11-2017, 09:35 AM

Depends on load, fuel consumption, size of fuel tank. I ran my genny for 96 hours straight running a.c. 55 gallon fuel tank, ran tank pretty much dry.

MSHappyCampers · 04-11-2017, 09:38 AM

One more thing to consider. Many generators that feed from the main diesel tank will cut off when the tank gets down to about 1/4 full! That's to keep you from burning all your fuel and not being able to get to a station!

Steve1961 · 04-11-2017, 09:43 AM

Thank you for your feedback mate, this has a 100 Gallon Tank, i also read something about a auto gen thing

**TonyDi** · 04-11-2017, 09:54 AM

If your tank is full you will have no problems. You'll find that running the genny all the time will be unnecessary. Use the inverter for some of your electrical needs.

4x4van · 04-11-2017, 10:38 AM

The raceway may also have some restrictions on generator use. Nascar infield camping at Fontana requires the use of a Genturi, and has quiet hours of 11:30pm to 7:30am.

Possum · 04-11-2017, 10:46 AM

If you have auto gen start it keeps you charged automatically.

Just using the 12v system on our coach I could go a full week before the 'low voltage' indicator came on.

You could also opt for a 'solar array' on your roof like we did that should let you stay in 12 volt continuously.

If you have a 110 volt fridge all bets are off.

BTW

BigBadDad · 04-11-2017, 11:05 AM

Two periods a day... 4 hours each...will be just fine The generator won't use that much, approx 1 gph. use power eaters like ac, water heater, appliances when gen. is running. Keep refig opening minimal when not running gen. Do not be the ice supply center for the whole infield.

marknpeg · 04-11-2017, 12:31 PM

Depends on your habits but my wife and I can make it almost a week on the tanks without being overly conservative. Navy showers and use the track facilities and you can go longer. As for the generator, we will run it for a couple hours in the morning and a couple hours in the evening and that covers it, no problem. Our coach is all electric too so we use a little more power than a propane coach.

Dper041278 · 04-11-2017, 12:57 PM

I have a diesel motorhome I boondocked in for the Daytona 500. I run my fridge on propane and ran the generator a couple hours in the morning while I made breakfast using the microwave and toaster and coffee maker ect. Witch is enough to change the batteries up for the tv and lights and such. The same thing at dinner time. The inverter will run most stuff in between.

winniman · 04-11-2017, 12:57 PM

Run your fridge on propane, it will use next to nothing for battery power. Your 12 volt batteries will go for days and days if all you are doing is running lights and maybe tv on the inverter. If you want a\c or microwave, you will probably need to start your generator. I can last for days on my batteries, including running the propane furnace for a couple nights. If you have a monitoring system to tell you what volts your batteries are at, just keep an eye on the monitor. When you start to get down close to 12 volts, probably best to fire up the genny for a few hours and charge them up. Solar panels work good too, if you have any. Best of luck.

Steve1961 · 04-12-2017, 06:42 AM

I forgot to mention that our coach is all electric

stang37 · 04-12-2017, 07:56 PM

We go to race tracks 5 times a year and have to boon dock at all of them. What I learned is conserve your water and run your generator as much as you can. I usually have 3/4 to full on fuel. After 5 days still about 3/4 tank. When you shut down your generator and run off the batteries with the all electric coach it will draw the batteries down a good bit. Once you start the generator the inverter goes into charge mode. The charging rate depends on your electrical usage and the battery charging rate settings. If you try to cook, run your ACs, heat water with electrical heating strips all while it trying to charge your batteries you can/will overload your generator and it will shut down. Being a newbie it puts you in full panic mode trying to figure out what just happened. Another lesson learned the hard way.