Community Forums

mano · 07-01-2013, 08:19 AM

Me and my wife are planning to dry camp the 4th weekend, were going to her cousins in Pa. Any tips as far as how much water to store in my tank and when to run the generator I have a 4000 watt on board generator, and conserving battery power, and any other tips I need to know

steved44 · 07-01-2013, 09:39 AM

When we dry camp we start with our fresh water tank full and our gray and black tanks empty. When we get up in the morning we start the generator to make coffee and recharge the batteries, usually takes a couple of hours. Then depending on how much power we use during the day, we run the generator before bedtime to start the night with a full charge. If we run the microwave during the day for lunch or something we start the generator for that. One thing to remember is to have your fridge on propane. Another tip is to shut your inverter off when you go to bed. These things use power even if no 110V items are turned on. If your fridge happens to be hooked up to your inverter, it will drain your battery bank within a couple of hours. Have a blast, Steve

mano · 07-01-2013, 10:04 AM

Inverter? Do you mean battery disconnect switch to off ?

BCooke · 07-01-2013, 10:10 AM

Full water, we were able to carry 110 gallons, after 2 days we were down a half, when I asked her about it she stated there are only 2 days left. My reply, "I have to take a shower today!"

she can go 4 days on a tank, I can go around 8, alas we have to share the same tank.........
She does not share well.

Generator I end up running once a day for a couple of hours. That dies not count coffee and such, or run at the same time. For cooking we use propane.
So like many of us, if you can get a full load of water carry what gas you can and hopefully you go hone with some if your spouse shares well.

BCooke · 07-01-2013, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mano

Inverter? Do you mean battery disconnect switch to off ?

Inverter gets you 120 volts ac from your 12 volt DC.

steved44 · 07-01-2013, 02:20 PM

Yes, if you have an inverter (it makes 110V out of your 12V battery bank), it does use some current doing this. Even if you have no 110V things running, it will still use some power. Steve

bubbajean · 07-01-2013, 03:07 PM

All right,

I think you guys may have answered my question on another thread about why/how could my fully charged batteries have been drained within a couple hours without my knowingly using any power.

This happend twice at the same repair shop after returning home. Fully charged batteries suddenly drained. It has been a mystery to me. I had never been able to duplicate the experience without having visited the repair shop first.

I think that I smell a rat. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. We newbies need all the help we can get.

Bob

damdannyboy · 07-01-2013, 03:08 PM

When we're dry camping we use one these one cup brew systems, just boil water on the camp stove and pour into the top less than four bucks at amazon, works great! If you want save on water, you can use your dish water to flush the toilet. we also have 13" AC/DC TV we use. 12 volt fans come in handy, LED lanterns will cut on unnecessary lighting.

LakeKerrGuy · 07-01-2013, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steved44

When we get up in the morning we start the generator to make coffee and

We use an old fashioned percolator on the propane stove. No generator needed in the morning.

Stan.Birch · 07-01-2013, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mano

Any tips as far as how much water to store in my tank and when to run the generator

Honestly, that has to be as dumb a question as I've ever heard!

Although I can't possibly imagine what you had it mind: Like . . . how much of a challenge would it be to start off with a FULL water tank!

And as for when to run the gen, how about when the batteries get down a tad?? With a coupe of house batteries, three or four days dry, tends to work rather well.

damdannyboy · 07-01-2013, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan.Birch

Honestly, that has to be as dumb a question as I've ever heard!

Although I can't possibly imagine what you had it mind: Like . . . how much of a challenge would it be to start off with a FULL water tank!

And as for when to run the gen, how about when the batteries get down a tad?? With a coupe of house batteries, three or four days dry, tends to work rather well.

Really Stan? The dumbest, I usually run 1/4 tank till I get to my destination, fill-up there or close by!

I try not to let the house battery's fall below 12.5 volts.

mano is looking for tips and hints! Not to have his b_ lls busted.

Flanagan · 07-01-2013, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damdannyboy

Really Stan? The dumbest, I usually run 1/4 tank till I get to my destination, fill-up there or close by!

I try not to let the house battery's fall below 12.5 volts.

mano is looking for tips and hints! Not to have his b_ lls busted.

Here, here. The only dumb question is the one that isn't asked.

mano · 07-01-2013, 05:48 PM

Thanks Damdannyboy, I meant how much water would I need for 2 days didn't want to carry extra weight

Flanagan · 07-01-2013, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damdannyboy

Really Stan? The dumbest, I usually run 1/4 tank till I get to my destination, fill-up there or close by!

I try not to let the house battery's fall below 12.5 volts.

mano is looking for tips and hints! Not to have his b_ lls busted.

Damdannyboy, if you leave with a 1/4 tank and fill up when you get close, how do you find a place to fill up assuming your dry camping someplace other than a campground?? How do you find places to dump afterwards??