Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #75 – September 12, 2012, 03:18:11 am Peter,Yup, a relative term, when I exited the USMC, I was 22 & 160 lb. Skinny for me Dave M Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #76 – July 08, 2013, 06:38:00 pm Just an update, I discovered I can run on batteries for at least three days before starting the genset to charge the batteries. I had at least 12.7 volts showing on the CRT monitor and it dropped about .1 volt per day, mostly just running my laptop computer from a 12 volt DC power supply. If I hadn't been running the computer the batteries would have gone a really long time. I still had at least 12.3 volts showing on the CRT when I decided to start the genset and recharge them. I'm sure I could have gone at least another day, even running the laptop most of the time. I have my modem and Blackberry plugged into my laptop's USB ports so everything charges from the computer's 12 volt DC power supply. I never turn on my inverter. It's amazing how long a coach like this can run in a boondocking situation. I predict the limiting factor for my coach is probably the 40 gallon LP gas tank, not the 150 gallon diesel tank as I previously thought. If I only have to start the genset once a week a full tank of diesel should last a few years. I suspect the refrigerator would run out of LP before the genset ran out of diesel ...not that anybody cares Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #77 – July 08, 2013, 07:44:38 pm Good to hear you enjoying your coach Scott Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #78 – July 09, 2013, 04:27:12 pm I just looked it up on the internet to see how much LP gas one of these RV refrigerators burns and it looks like a typical model uses about 1/3 gallon of LP every 24 hours depending on the temperature. That's kinda discouraging. According to those figures my refrigerator can only go about 4 months on a full tank of gas... ...Does anybody on this forum have long term boondocking test figures to verify this? Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #79 – July 09, 2013, 06:29:21 pm You could always run it on the inverter and put solar up to keep the batteries topped off. I have a residential unit now and can go all night with no real effort running the fridge and two cpaps TVs and lights. In the winter I will run the aquahot too. Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #80 – July 10, 2013, 12:04:19 am You can always pull the fridge down extra cold and turn it off for the night. If no one is opening the doors it will probably stay cold long enough. You can even test it by putting a wireless remote thermometer sensor inside it with the readout outside and see how much it cools after, say, three hours. Extrapolate that and pull the temp down at night to the point where warming won't get it beyond what you want. You can use the generator or solar panels/inverter to do that (if you have them).I cannot recommend solar panels too highly. Even if you just buy one panel and prop it up against the coach in the sun and use clamps to connect it to the batteries and monitor everything with a digital voltmeter. (I've don it this way myself, often!)Craig Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #81 – July 10, 2013, 12:15:37 am as Craig said Solar is the way to go . Just spent over a day replacing the MPPT controller and wiring on my system. It is now wired with #2 copper stranded to get rid of any voltage drop along the way. Had a little problem for a while as there was a short in the system on breaker box, turned out the wire clamp had cut thru wire insulation. Now ok.I had to reset Trimetic as now it was showing 102% charged on batteries so maybe there is extra amps/volts getting thru the bigger wire.That is some tough wire to bend and run thru holes, but it is done and I am glad.John H Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #82 – July 10, 2013, 04:17:20 pm 102%!!! I like that number!!!I've said it before and I'll say it again: I want to be just like John Haygarth when I grow up! Craig Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #83 – July 10, 2013, 04:52:14 pm If I ever get a solar panel it'll be one that just sits on the ground in a sunny spot and plugs into the coach with a long cord. I'm not putting any panels on the roof. I always try to camp in the shade whenever possible. I could buy several years' worth of diesel for my genset for the price of a solar panel, and the batteries / diesel apparently aren't the limiting factor to my boondockability anyway.Has anyone run a gas refrigerator for several months before? How long can a 40 gallon tank actually last with just the refrigerator running? ...they make kerosene refrigerators that would probably run just fine on diesel ...hmmm Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #84 – July 10, 2013, 05:02:09 pm Craig, you make me smile but you will have to wait a while to be as old as I am. Going to be 70 soon!! yikesJohn H Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #85 – July 10, 2013, 06:21:54 pm You can always bring an extra 60 or 100 Lbs propane tank with you and then take it to be filled.Gam Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #86 – July 10, 2013, 07:02:37 pm I used up the entire full propane tank one winter by mistake (mom was plugged in but refer was on gas by mistake) was about 40 days or less in fall near tampa Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #87 – July 10, 2013, 10:15:52 pm That's a gallon a day! Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #88 – July 10, 2013, 10:21:23 pm Quote from: RRadio – July 10, 2013, 10:15:52 pmThat's a gallon a day! Gallon a month was an experienced shops mention to me today Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #89 – July 10, 2013, 10:42:54 pm Scott,You asked a good question and I answered with real world experience. Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #90 – July 11, 2013, 03:13:44 am Quote from: RRadio – July 10, 2013, 04:52:14 pm I could buy several years' worth of diesel for my genset for the price of a solar panel, and the batteries / diesel apparently aren't the limiting factor to my boondockability anyway.One 240-watt solar panel is about $300. Let's say you get everything (MPPT charge controller and wiring plus panel) and put about $1k into it. That's 500 hours of genset (at 0.5 gph) at $4 an hour. If you full-time and boondock a lot that would be maybe 2 years.But then you'd have to pony up another $1k for more diesel for another two years.Of course the panel won't completely eliminate genset operation but it will reduce it quite a bit. And if you manage to somehow get both start and house batteries too low it can make a difference.The long cord system will work fine. There is the risk of theft, of course (which is reduced considerably by roof mounting). Out here in the Pacific Northwest we either have desert (and not much shade) or we have cool air (near the Pacific coast) or we have hookups. A COE camp spot with 50A for $7 a night and completely covered by shade is ok in my book. John: I already turned 70. I didn't say when I get old... I said when I grow up. CraigI'm not sure you'll find a kerosine refrigerator that fits. I suspect that they're now rare even in the developed world what with propane everywhere now. Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #91 – July 11, 2013, 08:04:34 am If I could get a low profile 12 volt DC evaporative cooler (aka swamp cooler) that would fit where the vent fan is near the kitchen stove I'd probably get a solar panel capable of running that. I never use the vent fan in the kitchen. Does anyone make a swamper for RVs? Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #92 – July 11, 2013, 08:54:47 am Quote from: RRadio – July 11, 2013, 08:04:34 amIf I could get a low profile 12 volt DC evaporative cooler (aka swamp cooler) that would fit where the vent fan is near the kitchen stove I'd probably get a solar panel capable of running that. I never use the vent fan in the kitchen. Does anyone make a swamper for RVs?Here is a site for what you are looking for:Stay Cool with TurboKOOL - Advanced RV Evaporative Air (Swamp) Coolers Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #93 – July 11, 2013, 08:56:53 am Why not fill your tank, use refer for 30 days, (use, not just run, door opening makes a difference, as does ambient temp) and the fill to check 30 day usage. Then you will know for sure your actual consumption.40 gal tank @ 80% is 32 gallons. Why would FT put that much on a U-320 just for refer and 2 burner stove unless needed?Anyway, it was a mistake, but a good data point Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #94 – July 11, 2013, 09:24:26 am Most folks who pay attention, find LP Gas the most expensive fuel you could use. Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #95 – July 11, 2013, 02:57:42 pm Back in the 60s they had free standing ones for cars - straddled the trans tunnel! Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #96 – July 11, 2013, 09:24:07 pm Wow, that TurboKOOL is over $700! It's exactly what I was looking for though. I can buy a lot of diesel for my genset at that price. Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #97 – July 12, 2013, 01:47:40 am Quote from: RRadio – July 11, 2013, 09:24:07 pmWow, that TurboKOOL is over $700! It's exactly what I was looking for though. I can buy a lot of diesel for my genset at that price.Says you live in Tennessee? Swamp coolers do not work well in High humidity areas as far as I know. Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #98 – July 12, 2013, 08:26:34 am I'm full time in the coach. My mailbox is in Nashville because I have a nationally syndicated radio show. I'm in Amarillo currently but I travel all over the country. Quote Selected
Re: Newbie boondocker questions Reply #99 – July 12, 2013, 04:01:13 pm Scott,When we had our U-240 it worked out that we were able to run aprox. 15 days on 5 gal. You need to look on your fridge info label and see what the BTU per hour rating it has (should be around 1200-1400 BTU per hr) then divide that into 91,500 (that is how many BTU's that are in a gallon if propane) that number ( is the hours per gal) needs to be divided by 24 (this gives you the days) then multiply that number by the amount of gallons you have. That will get you in the ball park.Pamela & Mike Quote Selected
Topic: Newbie boondocker questions