Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: extended survivalist boondocking test (Read 695 times) previous topic - next topic

extended survivalist boondocking test

For you survivalist types out there I thought I would report on my findings, which I definitely did NOT want to test, but I did, so here it is.

I calculate that my diesel generator can probably charge my batteries an hour a day for over a year on a full tank of diesel, provided the fuel doesn't get contaminated by bacteria, dirt, condensation, or whatever. A fuel additive and additional fuel filters could help prevent those problems. I had a full 150 gallon tank of diesel when I unwillingly started this experiment back in October and I've been charging my batteries two hours a day, which may be longer than needed, and I've used a quarter tank of fuel so far.

I predict my gas refrigerator would run even longer on a full tank of LP depending on how much I use my gas stove.

So what we have here is a 30,000 lb movable survivalist type shelter which could carry a lot of non perishable food. Survivalist types should probably get a coach with a diesel generator instead of an LP generator because an LP generator will burn up your refrigerator's fuel supply. The diesel generator will not run if the diesel fuel level gets below about 1/8 tank. You can look in the tank with a flashlight and see the pickup in the bottom of the tank and guess how many more days before the fuel level falls below the pickup. The main engine can use almost all the diesel in the tank even after the fuel level gets too low for the generator.

If you have solar panels and you're parked in the sun, which I never am by choice, you could probably get away with running your generator less often... Hey, those Mayans were wrong but this stuff could still be good to know! ;D
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: extended survivalist boondocking test

Reply #1 –
 b^.^d b^.^d b^.^d

Re: extended survivalist boondocking test

Reply #2 –
I "boondocked" for 2 weeks at Quartzite a couple years ago. I ran the generator as you did as I had a house type refer. Never a problem. I have 300 gallons of fuel capacity- and could go quite a while.

Re: extended survivalist boondocking test

Reply #3 –
Scott, I'm sorry you had to make this test, but I'm glad that you are willing to share what you have found by actual trial. That information might come in handy for someone else someday.

One of the reasons that we're looking at a motor home is the ability to go elsewhere should weather dictate that. Living for several days with no electricity in the winter (no electricity = no furnace = no heat) made us glad we had a propane stove and fireplace. We were the lucky ones then. EVERYONE in the county lost electricity in that storm, and some people didn't get it back for three weeks.

Re: extended survivalist boondocking test

Reply #4 –
I boondock for weeks while seldom running the genset.
Ask me how I do this at the Lemon Rally in Quartzsite!
The cost was about $4000 and many hours of work.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: extended survivalist boondocking test

Reply #5 –
The Mayans weren't necessarily wrong.  Their calendar ran out.  Who was it that read way too much into that?
36' 1990 U280 GV

Re: extended survivalist boondocking test

Reply #6 –
Quote from: sgwynn –
The Mayans weren't necessarily wrong.  Their calendar ran out.  Who was it that read way too much into that?
Just about everyone.  They forgot about how we added a Leap Year though. hehehe