Jayflight ONLY for Boondocking!

[Wyotraveler]

Depending on the area you live in, I would have opted for the thermal package.
That can only be ordered out and installed as they build the unit. My Jayco Jayflight 19RD has the thermal package and it is great. Just $400 extra for all that insulation to bring the R values up.

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by Wyotraveler

Depending on the area you live in, I would have opted for the thermal package.
That can only be ordered out and installed as they build the unit. My Jayco Jayflight 19RD has the thermal package and it is great. Just $400 extra for all that insulation to bring the R values up.

I only wish it was available when I ordered mine. That option became available late in the 2010 model year on the Jayflights, after I had mine. I ordered every available option at the time, and for $400 would have gotten the thermal package also for the increased R values. The only advantage to not having it, is that you have easy views and access to the waste plumbing and tanks should there be a problem.

[Kenelz]

I also kick myself for not getting the insulation option. I knew better, but was too anxious and bought one on the lot.

[SecretCoveDave]

I will definitely get thermal on the next one.

[jayeagle12]

Originally Posted by Lounsy

we spent 25 days in northern Ontario without hookups. The golf cart batt is a good idea I used an 80 watt solar panel and never had any power issues. Depending on your needs it should work out fine. Our charge controller would handle 160 watts I also change all lighting to LED. Big difference.

How did you change the lighting to LED? Can you buy LED bulbs and use the same fixtures?

[Quahog]

Originally Posted by jayeagle12

How did you change the lighting to LED? Can you buy LED bulbs and use the same fixtures?

Yes, you can. See this link for an ongoing discussion.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=6297

[RoyBraddy]

To really be successful camping off the power grid several things need to be done. Not just one thing will do it for you.

You will need at least two batteries (I use three 12VDc Batteries)
You will need a SMART-MODE Converter/Charger at least 45AMPS (Mine is 60AMP but i got more batteries)
You will need larger battery cables (Mine is 4AWG)
You will need to replace all lights to LEDs
You will need an PSW INVERTER to run some of your 120VAC items (HDTV.DVD,Cell phone charger, computer charger, electric blanket)
You will need a small Generator (I have the 2KW Honda)

You also will need to practice some power savings technique or at least be watchfull of what you are consuming. Running the furnace 12VDC blower will kill a battery in one night by itself.

If you add a couple of solar panels (maybe just 120Watt worth) will greatly reduce your generator run times. No sense alowing the free sun energy go to waste during the daylight hours.

My battery bank is 255AH and we can camp off the power grid just fine and run almost everything we use at electric sites including HDTv, DVDs, electric blankets, inside and outside lights, fans, and all of the required 12VDC appliance items etc. Of course no Air Conditioning or high powered microwaves.

The idea is to make it the first day and night running off the batteries and then re-charge those batteries the next morning by connecting your trailer shore power cable directly into the 2KW generator 120VAC receptacle using a RV30A-15A adapter (Walmart). I use a special adapter for the Honda generators RV30A-15A DUAL HONDA adapter (Amazon). With the smart-mode converter/charger unit you will be able to re-charge your batteries to 90% charge state in a short 2-3 hours generator run time.

This will allow you to make it the next day and night run off the batteries. I can stay for days on end doing this but sooner or later you will want to fully charge your batteries to a full 100% state. They can do the 90% charge state for only so many times without going to full charge. I guess the longest I have stayed out was 12 days one trip doing the 90% charge each day.

Here on the east side of the US most of us dont dont get to run our generators anytime we want to. Most everywhere has generator restrictions in place unless you are at a NSCAR camp ground or on some stretch of private land somewhere. All of the Natl parks and federal Land sites i have gone to all have generator hours in place. The norm here is usually two hours in the morning and maybe three hours in the ealry evening. With this in place you have to be able to quickly re-charge your batteries in the allowed generator run times.

[Quahog]

Listen to Roy... he really knows his stuff. I've learned a lot from him.