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Boondocking

               So we will be boondocking for the first time in this rig for the next two or three days.
        Do most of you leave your genset on autostart? We will put the fridge and water heater on gas and run the TV & lights off invertor. Coffeemaker, microwave, etc. we will run off genset as we did in our other sob.
                Anything other tips or suggestions?
       

Re: Boondocking

Reply #1 –
I'm sure you (and everyone else) knows this but make sure you turn the inverter off when it's not being used as they have an "idle current" that can deplete your batteries needlessly.

Have fun!

Craig :)

Re: Boondocking

Reply #2 –
Autostart not an option for us. Lights should be 12V off house bats. We use the inverter for the TV, sat receiver and shut it down when TV is off. Yes, generator for coffee, micro. If within range, we watch TV off Mac laptop TV card and antenna (laptop battery) daytime hours. Big screen only at night. We charge batteries for 30 minutes or so in the morning sometimes at night if using the micro for cooking. When we get 3 panels on the roof, it will cut that down.

Have a great time.

Pierce

Re: Boondocking

Reply #3 –
We leave our generator on auto start 24/7.  Good insurance.  No reason not to that we can see.

Re: Boondocking

Reply #4 –
We make coffee every morning using the inverter. Also, we occasionally use the microwave on the inverter for quick heats like popcorn. Just watch the batteries to keep them above 50%.
jor

Re: Boondocking

Reply #5 –
Quote from: jor –
We make coffee every morning using the inverter. Also, we occasionally use the microwave on the inverter for quick heats like popcorn. Just watch the batteries to keep them above 50%.
jor

This is my plan. I will have 600 watts of solar power and as long as I watch the battery voltage I think that the 1500 pure-sine inverter can handle most of those types of loads. And a generator (or even the engine) to keep things equal.

This worked so well for us on our little 32-foot sailboat that I ran the 2-cylinder diesel engine 30 minutes a week just to keep it lubricated. Less than 70 watts of solar (managed carefully) and a 30-amp wind generator with a hand-carved propeller kept us in amateur radio, lights, VHF, and enough ice for a sundowner every evening. Mind you, we used much less power on that boat, but still.....

I think solar power will set you free..

Craig

Re: Boondocking

Reply #6 –
I have been on a sailboat as well as 11 plus years in a Foretravel.  I will say that power management is always a thought but not a concern in the FT.  I can go all night on my batteries as long as I do not need to run the AC. I leave the genet on auto start too. I had solar on my first coach and it worked very well. I decided that the extra diesel I use on this coach might not offset the costs fully. Then again it is another issue to worry about too.  I will revisit solar again when I have the motosat dish taken off. I will have a huge space up there to put some on and I might put a few up. I love winter camping and they would work great for that. But auto start and or watching your consumption works. I had 4 batteries on my old coach and this on only has three. It might be interesting to put another couple in if I can find a place.

Re: Boondocking

Reply #7 –
I have mentioned it before on another posting but here goes.
We have 600 watts and 3 8D lifeline AGM. The original 2500 inv and another at 1000 for the tv, stereo,music etc and now the residential fridge. This smaller inverter also powers a couple of outlets too. In Mexico for 3 months and NO hookup needed and we lived in it and used all 120volt appliances with no problem. Did not use AC as we do not like it, but also now have all LED lights which make a huge difference.
As said earlier we also turned the main inv' off when not needed due to power stand-by use. Kept checking the Trimetic digital readout to see what we were using and never let batteries go below 75%.
It's funny but since being home Ruth say's to me (if I leave a light on!!) "1.75 amps wasted in the office right now"!!!!
I have actually only put 2 hrs on the genset since we bought the coach in Sept 09 and that was to let it work a bit for lubrication.
I will put and 150watts up on the roof and another battery soon, then it will be clear sailing for sure.
I would strongly suggest that the extra inverter be a soon mod' for most coaches (as per Barry's web article) Additional Inverter like I did, unless you are always plugged in. This plus the LEDs are a great power saver.
John H

Re: Boondocking

Reply #8 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
I would strongly suggest that the extra inverter be a soon mod' for most coaches (as per Barry's web article) like I did, unless you are always plugged in. This plus the LEDs are a gret power saver.
John H

              Interesting stuff John. I want to look into changing out to LED lights for the entire coach soon.
    BTW, we had a great time boondocking on Lake Norman NC over the weekend. All worked out well. We are slowly making our way back to Maine and all the chores that await us. Tonight in Mt. Airy (Mayberry) watching the rain fall.
      Pork chop sandwich tomorrow!
 

Re: Boondocking

Reply #9 –
My new to me 97 u320 has weak flooded old 8d's.  Low 12.2 voltage after a three hour drive. 

Seriously considering a lithium ion replacement.  112 pounds versus 460?  No voltage drop.  Straight line discharge. 

Quicker recharge rate. 

I already changed the start batteries to red tops. I do have a non installed xantrex 458 I think might work well?

Newby questions.   

Any opinions

Re: Boondocking

Reply #10 –
I wanna be just like John Haygarth when I grow up! b^.^d

The dual inverter idea makes sense but it does add to the "management load". Living off the grid - even in an RV - is not plug-and-play but the advantages, especially in the western USA and in Mexico can be impressive. Lots of cheap spots to park next to the water on beaches in Baja and incredible kayak fishing and exploration by foot or mountain bike and by Jeep. Ancient mission churches hidden in mountain pueblos, arroyos with waterfalls, hummingbirds and date palms just off the main highway in the middle of the desert.

In WA, about 70 miles south of Spokane, there is an old sheep ranch managed by the BLM with a beautiful creek, a waterfall, lots of roads to hike or bike and free camping. And that's not the only one.

Quartzite is famous for boondocking but it's far from the only one.

Craig

Re: Boondocking

Reply #11 –
Craig, I take that as a compliment but you would not want my back problems to go with it!!

Actually the "management" you talk of is easy once it is figured out in your head on what runs what. Ruth has a tough time as she is not mechanically minded, but is getting there.
We are not that far from you in Spokane, just nw slightly in the Okanagan
John H
 

Re: Boondocking

Reply #12 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
Craig, I take that as a compliment but you would not want my back problems to go with it!!

Actually the "management" you talk of is easy once it is figured out in your head on what runs what. Ruth has a tough time as she is not mechanically minded, but is getting there.
We are not that far from you in Spokane, just nw slightly in the Okanagan
John H

John... it was most certainly meant as a compliment and I have my own issues but with hips, knees and feet. One reason I no longer camp sleeping on the ground with nothing but a little air mat. I can get down there just fine (I can *fall* down) but getting back up is another issue entirely.

I agree that managing solar panels is easy once you get the hang of what it is you're doing. What amazes me is that there are still RVers who don't understand how well solar works. Especially given the simple fact that most of us chase the sunshine.

It's always good to hear from someone else who has been there and done it. Simple economic considerations may not "pencil out" but solar will set us free from the umbilical cords and constant generator use.

I hope our paths cross at some time in the future. We're in Moses Lake; probably due south of you. :)

Craig