What are your creative boondocking solutions?

[KachFam]

So, as we are setting up for boondocking, just wondering what others are using...


Looking for an idea for some bedside lamps (hate using the overheads when reading/getting ready for bed). I will switch all of those out for LED's, but looking for something battery operated that works. Eventually I will have a small inverter, but I'm not sure where all I will end up with plugs.

I will probably have the plugs somewhere near the TV/DVD so that can be used "off-grid" and still have power available for phone charging, etc.


Does anyone use any auxiliary type of heater or do you rely on the in-house furnace? I know the fan can put a serious drain on the batteries.


What do you think of the stock charge controller (converter?) on the newer Jaycos? Is it adequate (at least for a start)?


That's it for now - I'm sure I'll have more later:hihi:

[3firetrucks]

I picked up one a coleman propane coffee maker with stainless steel carafe. Perfect for boon docking. Although the DW says she thinks instant tastes better while camping.

[Seann45]

I have not used my furnace in 2+ years now. I bought a big buddy catalytic heater and it works better uses less propane and less battery power.
If your boondocking SOLAR POWER is the best way to go.. No smelly noisy generator needed...

[KachFam]

Originally Posted by 3firetrucks

I picked up one a coleman propane coffee maker with stainless steel carafe. Perfect for boon docking. Although the DW says she thinks instant tastes better while camping.

I've been using a french press for all of my coffee needs for about 10 years now. For home, backpacking, and camping in the trailer. It's a bit stronger so it takes a while to get used to, but eventually it's the only way you'll want it!

[ktbarrentine]

Solar panel to charge the battery...works great. 400W Wagan inverter runs my Television and DVD player, no problem (yep, it's a MSW inverter and it works great, and can watch movies for several hours each night on the twin deep cycle series 27's). I love my coffee press, although the DW is not found of the cleanup (grounds), although I dont mind when I do it. She'd rather use the coffee bags (just like tea-bags, only for coffee....regular (for me) and decaf for her). Love boondocking.

[3firetrucks]

Originally Posted by KachFam

I've been using a french press for all of my coffee needs for about 10 years now. For home, backpacking, and camping in the trailer. It's a bit stronger so it takes a while to get used to, but eventually it's the only way you'll want it!

That actually is nice coffee, I had French pressed coffee at a local Vietemese restaurant and quite enjoyed it.

[3firetrucks]

X2 on the solar panel, I only have a 40w so far but it keeps my batteries topped up in good weather.

[Mustang65]

As mentioned SOLAR is the way to go. I have a 250watt panel connects to a Morningstar MPPT charge controller. It recharges the batteries everyday by 2 or 3 PM the latest, and that is using the ceiling vent fan all day, TT stereo, 2LED lights all day/night. I rewired the TT's charge controller's AC lead to it's own breaker, and it has been turned off for months. Not needed any more. I have a 1500 watt inverter that we use to watch TV, usually during the evening hours. We have had the TV on for an average of 4 hours each night. Every once in a while i will use the microwave for a few minutes during th aftrnoon during PEAK sunshine.
As for running extention cords from the inverter, DW would not hear of it. Sooooo, I ran a roamax cable from the front storage area (inverter + near batteries) to the back storage area where the shore cable gets pushed in for storage, and wired the roamax cable into a4x4 elec box with an RVoutlet. When dry camping, I plug the shore cable into the RV outlet that is connected to the inverter, turn on the inverter and 120vac at all the outlets that are on the TT. One word of caution , turn the AC breaker off before plugging in the inverter.
For coffee, we use the regular electric coffee pot. One modification, we have a small tuperware plastic bowl that fits into the coffee basket of the coffee pot.) I drilled 3small holes in the bowl, place it o top of the coffee grounds/filter and pour hot water from the stove into it. Makes a perfect 2cups of coffee. DW loves it.
When we wake up in the morning, on average, the battery voltage is around 12.4 or 12.5,which is pretty good for the amount of things we use.
Future: Adding a second 250 watt panel. Going to a 3000 watt inverter, with 2 more batteries.
Happy boondocking.
When we get home, i plug the TT into my small home solar panel setup and save a little $$$ off the electric bill, that is the other reason for the second TT solar panel.
Don

[SkyBound]

I'm interested in a solar panel for next year. I'm hearing all this talk of charge controllers and inverters and everything - what's stopping me from getting the panel and hooking it up directly to my trailer's battery and then using the trailer's electrical system?

[clutch]

We use a Kozy World catalytic heater. A small Honda generator works well for lights, keeping the batteries up, refrigerator, and television. They are light, quiet, and just sip gas.

[NewBlackDak]

My partially implemented plan:
4x 6v batteries(done)
30lb propane tanks(done)
Olympian Wave 8 catalytic heater(done)
Led bulbs(done)
TV that runs on DC(done) -- found a TV with a 12v power brick and hardwired it in
Magnum Ms2812 2800w Inverter
Automatic Transfer Switch
Solar setup, unsure of the specifics yet

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by NewBlackDak

My partially implemented plan:
4x 6v batteries(done)
30lb propane tanks(done)
Olympian Wave 8 catalytic heater(done)
Led bulbs(done)
TV that runs on DC(done) -- found a TV with a 12v power brick and hardwired it in
Magnum Ms2812 2800w Inverter
Automatic Transfer Switch
Solar setup, unsure of the specifics yet

Nice setup/plan,
Don

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

- what's stopping me from getting the panel and hooking it up directly to my trailer's battery and then using the trailer's electrical system?

The reason that you do not want to hook your solar panel(s) directly to your battery is because as the name implies, it is a charge controller. During the sunny days, while your panel(s) are cranking out their max amperage, it has no way of knowing what state your battery is in. Let's say that your battery is fully charged, the sun comes up and starts sending its output and has no way of knowing how much your battery needs. It will then overcharge your battery, which will drastically shorten your batteries life, or even worse things. A charge controller monitors the panel and the battery and distributes the power according to the batteries needs at that time. If the charge controller sees a fully charged battery it will just put it in a FLOAT state. Should you get a panel that produces 20VDC and it is connected directly to the battery, you will probably fry your electronic components in the TT ($$$$). The charge controller limits the voltage/amps to the battery.
Good Luck,
Don

[SkyBound]

Great info, thanks. How much would it cost to get set up with a basic, entry-level solar system? I need to know what I'm up against if I get invested in this idea.

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

Great info, thanks. How much would it cost to get set up with a basic, entry-level solar system? I need to know what I'm up against if I get invested in this idea.

Before venturing into solar systems to purchase, or selecting individual parts, it would be advisable to look at what you will need. Are you going to be dry-camping most of the time? A couple days? You can sit down and look at some of the electrical requirements of the various items you will be using (lights, water pump, fans (heating/cooling) and the list goes on. Once you get an idea as to what your needs are, you can start looking at your solar options. Also, when you decide as to what you want in your entry-level system, keep in mind that you may want to expand your system to allow for additional solar panels/batteries, without having to redesign you system ($$$$). You will want to research which "TRUE" deep cycle battery(s) have the needed power for your requirements. Be careful, as all solar panels are not created equally. Some are made for only 12VDC systems as others have much higher voltages (31VDC - residential/commercial) and need special charge controllers MPPT (like mine), to connect to 12volt TT system. There is a lot of personal preference when it gets down to which is the best choice. One key point is to buy a solar charge controller that will allow for expansion. You can link to my solar album below to look at my system. Solar is not a cheap alternative, as it may be cheaper for you to purchase a small (Quiet) generator. Don't look for solar to be able to run your TT's AC, that would take a heck of a system.
As an example, my panel (250watts@31VDC) charges my T-145 batteries on a sunny day by 2PM and a little longer on cloudy days. That includes the TV (Inverter), radio, and LED lights on during the day. I will be adding another 250 watt panel, and 2 additional T145 batteries before camping in 2014. This is what I enjoy doing.
Don

[RoyBraddy]

I installed my small PSW INVERTER on the inside of a cabinet close to my battery bank. I ran two extension cords with multiple receptacles from the two 120VAC connections on the INVERTER and ran one to the area of my home entertainment items. The second 120VAC extension cord was ran to the bedroom area.

These cords are out of sight running in WIREMODE or behind the cabinets etc.. The only thing visible is the multiple 120VAC connection head on the back of the cabinet top... My INVERTER is remote controlled so when i need to use emergency 120VAC I just plug into the available 120VAC receptacle.

This is a typical RV Trailer setup to give you an idea of what I did here with my off-road POPUP.



This is a floorplan layout of my off-road POPUP setup. Tent beds on each end not shown...


My floorplan looks like this when setup...


Roy Ken

[KachFam]

Originally Posted by Seann45

I have not used my furnace in 2+ years now. I bought a big buddy catalytic heater and it works better uses less propane and less battery power.
If your boondocking SOLAR POWER is the best way to go.. No smelly noisy generator needed...

Seann,

How does that Big Buddy heat up your trailer? It looks like your trailer is a similar size to ours. Do you run it all night? Do you use the portable bottles or plumb it into the main propane tanks? I'm thinking this would be the way to go. I've been researching them for a little while and they seem to be surprisingly safe for RV use. Even if I burnt through a couple of portable bottles per night, it would still probably be less fuel consumption than my furnace in cooler weather and still much cheaper than paying for a campground with power!

[SmokerBill]

I use a Big Buddy, and unless the outdoor temp gets down to 35-40 degrees, it gets too hot in the TT to leave it running all night. So I just shut it off a bedtime, then wake up cold and turn it back on. I use the extended hose accessory, and connect to a 20# tank (situated outdoors) through one of the windows, sealed with foam rubber.

Last 20# tank fillup lasted me 10 days. Cheap heat, if you ask me. I wish there were a propane heater that had half the lowest output of the Big Buddy. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by KachFam

Seann,

How does that Big Buddy heat up your trailer? It looks like your trailer is a similar size to ours. Do you run it all night? Do you use the portable bottles or plumb it into the main propane tanks? I'm thinking this would be the way to go. I've been researching them for a little while and they seem to be surprisingly safe for RV use. Even if I burnt through a couple of portable bottles per night, it would still probably be less fuel consumption than my furnace in cooler weather and still much cheaper than paying for a campground with power!

It works too well overnight. Like Smokerbill I have it off and turn it on first thing in the morning.. Now if you find that is too chilly for you I would suggest try leaving just the pilot light on overnight.. it puts out a goodly amount of heat.. remember to ALWAYS leave a roof vent cracked open. I have my big buddy plumed to the stove through a T fitting. (there is a fitting on the left side behind the 1lb tank fitting for a hose on a low pressure line.)

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

I'm interested in a solar panel for next year. I'm hearing all this talk of charge controllers and inverters and everything - what's stopping me from getting the panel and hooking it up directly to my trailer's battery and then using the trailer's electrical system?

As stated earlier it controls the charge going into your batteries PLUS it prevents "back flow" at night. Solar panels will discharge your batteries if you do not have a charge controller or blocking diodes to prevent back flow.