Community Forums

jonesdg · 06-13-2017, 06:04 AM

My wife and I are about to do a practice run in our front yard this weekend. This will be the first time spending the night in our rig. We are doing this so we can have a better understanding of our needs and power consumption be for we go running off a hundred miles away. We plan on doing this for the next two weekends. Several questions:

I still don't understand this inverter thing. Can anyone help?

Is it ok to run the generator throughout the night and run one of the cooling units?

Can I run the generator with out the inverter?

My driveway is black top. Can we use the jack stands as long as we place pads underneath them?

I am having a 50 amp outlet and breaker installed next week. Can I leave the rig plugged into that until we get ready to move it?

Thanks so much for any and all assistance.

Chargerman · 06-13-2017, 06:29 AM

Congrats

The inverter is for supplying 110 volts off of your batteries

Yes you can run the generator all night but when out and about most places have quiet hours.

Yes you can run the generator without the inverter on. Only need the inverter on if you want 110 volts when not plugged and/ or the generator is not running

Yes you can use jacks on blacktop if you have displacement pads

Yes you can leave the rig plugged in for lights etc and to keep the batteries maintained

Have fun!

jonesdg · 06-13-2017, 01:35 PM

Thank you so much. I have ordered some of the rubber pass for the stands. Since I will be doing a trial this weekend in my front yard I can run the generator. The only neighbors that can complain would be the deer. Just so I understand. My generator will supply the 110 with out the inverter

RobbieH · 06-13-2017, 01:38 PM

Most rigs will run one A/C unit off of 110 from your house. You need adapter plugs or dog bones to convert your cord from your 50a down to 30a then down to 20a (110 household plug). You will want to carry these with you at all times anyway for when you run into RV parks or places to stay that only have 30a or 20a (110).

Don't forget once you start leaving it plugged in all the time to maintain your batteries, you'll need to check them and top them off with distilled water about once a month.

4x4van · 06-13-2017, 02:02 PM

Since these are "practice" camping trips, I would suggest that you only run your generator (if needed) till 8 or 9 pm; similar to what a campground would allow. After all, you are looking for "a better understanding of our needs and power consumption", right?

As for A/C, usually cooling it down till 8 or 9 pm will be sufficient to remain comfortable throughout the rest of the night, unless it is really hot in your location. Of course, if you are planning on camping with full hookups, then power consumption as well as fresh & waste water management becomes a non-issue.

jonesdg · 06-13-2017, 04:05 PM

Thanks everyone for the advice. We will definitely apply it this weekend. Have a great weekend.

Mr_D · 06-13-2017, 04:09 PM

Some campgrounds won't let you run the generator at all if they have electrical hookups. Since the OP is in his front yard, no problem unless the neighbors complain.

4x4van · 06-13-2017, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Some campgrounds won't let you run the generator at all if they have electrical hookups. Since the OP is in his front yard, no problem unless the neighbors complain.

Agreed, but in that case (campground with full hookups) power consumption is a non-issue anyway. Perhaps the OP is just wanting to replicate camping in a full hookup campgound; and it seems his neighbors are far enough away that it won't bother them.

onecb · 06-14-2017, 08:59 AM

Before I ran the generator all night I would make sure that I had a CO detector that works properly. If the wind or air flow is just right you could have fumes can get inside. Just another thing to consider.

Spk64 · 06-14-2017, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onecb

Before I ran the generator all night I would make sure that I had a CO detector that works properly. If the wind or air flow is just right you could have fumes can get inside. Just another thing to consider.

X2
I have 2 installed along with the stock unit. One at rear bedroom and one up front where generator exhaust is located. Gas generators tend to output more than the diesel but both can be lethal.

jonesdg · 06-14-2017, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onecb

Before I ran the generator all night I would make sure that I had a CO detector that works properly. If the wind or air flow is just right you could have fumes can get inside. Just another thing to consider.

Thanks. That was the second thing I checked after we bought it.

Scooter · 06-15-2017, 09:07 AM

Getting technical with CO.....most detectors only sound off at levels which are high enough to permit you to breath fumes....without symptoms....for a long time. Not good. You can buy battery powered CO detectors which detect fumes at MUCH LOWER levels. Expensive....but good insurance.

jonesdg · 06-15-2017, 09:16 AM

Good point. I will invest in one today. Thank you.

hohenwald48 · 06-16-2017, 12:36 PM

Practice camping in the driveway is a good plan to get a feel for things. However, I'd suggest after a couple nights doing that you move the the closest actual campground and give that a few night too. The driveway is a good start but it's a lot different from an actual CG.

We usually go off on 2-3 month trips. We always start off with 2 nights 10 miles down the road. Far enough to be "gone" but close enough to run home and get the things we forgot.