Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > CAMPING, TRAVEL and TRIP PLANNING > Boondocking
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-20-2006, 04:32 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Rick A's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Boerne, TX
Posts: 527
Send a message via Yahoo to Rick A
Do a web search on "RV Solar" and you will find a ton of information. You can go from a basic battery maintainer to a full blown system for running 110v appliances. It will all depend on your needs. As for charging the batteries while driving, if the vehicle and trailer are wired properly then yes you can charge the battery while driving.
__________________
2005 F-250 XLT 4X4 V-10
2006 Wildcat 31QBH
Rick A is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 04-21-2006, 03:20 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
mamaloya's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ft. Bragg, NC
Posts: 498
Thanks!
__________________
Sandra/mamaloya

mamaloya is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2006, 10:21 PM   #17
Moderator Emeritus
 
Gary RVRoamer's Avatar


 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,519
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">
I assume a generator runs on gas, is that correct? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Correct.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Can a solar panel recharge the battery? And if so, what am I looking at. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Yes, but generally not very quickly. Depends on the size of the panel(s) and amount of direct sunlight hitting the panel. Doesn't work well in a forest, for example.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">What is a Trojan T-105? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
A type of abttery. A T105 is a 6 volt golf cart battery and two are used, wired in series to produce 12V power. A pair of T105's will produce 220 amp-hours of electricity when new and fully charged.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">What is an inverter? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
A device that produces 110V AC electrical power from a 12V DC battery system. It takes a lot of battery power to produce a little 110 VAC power, so you need multiple batteries for even modest AC power.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">How long can the fridge run on a single propane tank, considering I will still need the propane for some cooking? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

At least a couple Weeks.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">So, if I am assuming correctly, to go dry camping for a weekend, I will need, an extra propane tank (full LOL), a battery, a small generator, flashlights, a cooler, a porta potty, and a full water tank. Is this correct? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Just a weekend? You probably don't need either the generator or the extra LP tank.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
Gary RVRoamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2006, 10:24 PM   #18
Moderator Emeritus
 
Gary RVRoamer's Avatar


 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,519
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">If I don't get solar panels, will my battery recharge from my van engine on the way back home after a weekend outing or is there something else I need to do to recharge it? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Assuming your trailer connection is wired to provide charging from the van (depends on who installed the system), then yes it will re-charge. It takes more than a couple hours of driving, though, to fully recharge if the battery is significantly discharged.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
Gary RVRoamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2006, 02:32 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
ajbjrvers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Medford, near Boston, Ma.
Posts: 466
To, Mamaloya,

RE; Dry, boondocking, camping.

If you read my signature you will see what's needed for dry camping. If only for 2-3 days, you dont,t need as many batteries, solar panels and inverter are necessary and give you a lot more freedom to camp where and when you want and stay as long as you want.

This does cost $$, but what's the price of indepenence??

Thanks == Aime==== AJBJRVERS=====
__________________
https://www.irv2.com/photopost/data/500/thumbs/Nor_easter_Flag1.jpg
ajbjrvers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2007, 06:48 PM   #20
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere I guess?
Posts: 453
I have found that solar is too costly for me personally. The best solar panel deal I've seen is the 45 watt set (3 15w panels) complete with lights and a converter for $200. No mattery or inverter us included. That may seem cheap to many here but keep in mind, my TT was only $500 (plus maybe another $500 work put into it). $200 is a lot to add onto it, but then again considering I paid $70 for a 13" AC/DC TV, I guess $200 wouldn't be too bad for the solar panels. Another factor bugs me however, having to attach them to the roof without causing leaks. I think I'd rather invest the $200 in a small cheap generator for occasional use instead of solar panels.

Back to the topic at hand, if I get an RV fridge (currently there is a 120v only one in it) I will get one that runs on propane. It would cost far too much to buy enough batteries to try to run it off of 12v full time.

Running it on 12v would be useful to maintain the temp inside of the fridge while you are driving since you're not supposed to leave the propane tank valves open (much less a flame burning!) inside of the trailer while towing. 12v however would be perfect for maintaining the temp while the propane is off durring towing.
Cubey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2007, 07:19 AM   #21
Member
 
rubiranch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 44
I am far from having extra money falling out of my pockets. If you're going to do a llot of boondocking buy a propane/110v fridge, or just a propane fridge.

We have two 30lb propane bottles and fill them in the spring and once towards the fall.

We have an older TT that has radiant heat and will run our furnace 24/7 for 2-4 days at a time spring and fall camping. We cool our fridge at home on 110v and before leaving home switch it to propane and never shut it off until we return home. A couple of times we have run the fridge for 10+ days. We also light our water heater when we set up at our campsite and don't shut it off until we break camp.

We have two 12v batteries. One powers the water pump, hood fan and the main lights. The second battery powers the LCD TV, DVD player, stereo, outside running lights (so friends can find us after dark), our ceiling vent fan and a few other 12 lights.

We have no troulbes boondocking 5-6 days with no generator.
rubiranch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2007, 05:44 AM   #22
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 60
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ant:
i found this one
what do you think?


http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?deptI...f=40,25&skunum=27837 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>That is NOT a 12V fridge. It is merely a portable RV absorption type fridge. This is a 12V fridge Tundra Marine fridge. They are a compressor type fridge (just like the one in your house) except they run off 12V (the AC version simply converts the 110V to 12V to power it) and have been used by boats and over the road trucks for MANY years. I have one in my Outfitter truck camper and ran it for over two years straight off of just the solar/batteries. It pulls about 3A when running but it doesn't run all the time. Just like your home fridge it will cycle on/off depending on the desired temp and the ambient temps and usually runs about 50% of the time.

If you need a portable unit look at these Engle I have a similar unit made by ARB and it will keep ice cream solid in 100+ degree temps.
__________________
Semper Fi

2007 F350, SC, LB, 4x4, SRW, 6.0/auto
Steve_in_29 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2007, 05:55 AM   #23
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 60
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KAYERIVERCITY:
.....$400......... you got to be kidding me!....a 25 cubic foot for a house is the same price....forgetaboutit and shop around...even an Ice chest would be Better...Ice is only a dollar a bag......geofkaye. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Ice is a little hard to find when boondocking in the middle of the desert or in Baja.
__________________
Semper Fi

2007 F350, SC, LB, 4x4, SRW, 6.0/auto
Steve_in_29 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2007, 04:51 PM   #24
Senior Member
 
KU9L's Avatar
 
Excel Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Winter Haven, FL
Posts: 385
Blog Entries: 3
Send a message via Skype™ to KU9L
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">This is a 12V fridge Tundra Marine fridge. They are a compressor type fridge (just like the one in your house) except they run off 12V (the AC version simply converts the 110V to 12V to power it) and have been used by boats and over the road trucks for MANY years. I have one in my Outfitter truck camper and ran it for over two years straight off of just the solar/batteries. It pulls about 3A when running but it doesn't run all the time. Just like your home fridge it will cycle on/off depending on the desired temp and the ambient temps and usually runs about 50% of the time.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Steve, how many A-H of battery storage have you moded your Apex 9.5 for ideal ample extended boondocking capacity using this fridge? How many PV watts (assuming backup power as needed for cloudy weather, etc)? Weight adds up fast, just trying to plan on whether we could get buy with the F-250 or plan on an F-350 upfront since we are in the planning mode currently.

Thanks,

Dave
__________________
David, Sheila & Stella the Beagle pup SKP Full-timers since 2008
'12 FORD F-350 Dually King Ranch crew cab, Firestone airbags, 52" hitch extension
'12 Lance 1181, all options + 250W solar, pushed by '09 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited + Blue Ox 5K tow bar
'93 Fleetwood Oak Park w/12'x34' lanai @ Pioneer Village in N. Ft Myers, FL
KU9L is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2007, 05:49 PM   #25
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 60
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KU9L:
Steve, how many A-H of battery storage have you moded your Apex 9.5 for ideal ample extended boondocking capacity using this fridge? How many PV watts (assuming backup power as needed for cloudy weather, etc)? Weight adds up fast, just trying to plan on whether we could get buy with the F-250 or plan on an F-350 upfront since we are in the planning mode currently.

Thanks,

Dave </div></BLOCKQUOTE>First off I would say go with the F350 right off the bat. The added cost is minimal and the extra load capacity will keep you from spending money on suspension upgrades. The trucks are the same size and for all intents the ride is the same as well. I suggest getting both the "Camper" and Snow Plow Prep" Pkgs. My rig is somewhere in the neighborhood of 3500lbs when FULLY loaded (passengers, fuel, food, equip, etc) for a trip and I barely engage the overloads.

What camper are you looking to get? Where do you plan on going with it?

I have (4) Lifeline GPL-4CT, AGM batteries in my current Apex9.5 camper for a total of 440AH. In our Previous Apex8 we had (2) Trojan T-145's with a 260AH rating. Both battery setups were factory installed with the 9.5 getting a custom battery compartment I designed.

Both our campers have used (3) 90W panels for a total of 270W. I bought this system for our previous Class A and have reused it in both our Outfitters. We use a SolarBoost 2000e MPPT controller. The panels are installed in tilt-able mounts but I have never utilized that feature yet. If starting from scratch for our current camper I would have gone with (2) or more likely (3) 123W panels, since with solar there really is no such thing as too much.

If you want more info feel free to PM me as we are getting way off the threads topic here.
__________________
Semper Fi

2007 F350, SC, LB, 4x4, SRW, 6.0/auto
Steve_in_29 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
12 volt parallel vs. 2 6-volt series batteries nascar-co RV Systems & Appliances 14 02-04-2010 09:50 AM
12 VOLT to 6 VOLT House Mikeeg MH-General Discussions & Problems 10 12-21-2008 03:25 PM
6-Volt vs. 12 volt Batteries BB501 MH-General Discussions & Problems 22 11-17-2007 10:10 AM
12 volt chassis batteries vs 6 volt kenbt Winnebago Industries Owner's Forum 8 11-30-2005 04:30 PM
12 Volt versus 6 Volt Batteries CYOUL8R MH-General Discussions & Problems 5 08-05-2005 05:40 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:12 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.