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Post by LittleVintageTrailer on May 5, 2011 9:41:05 GMT -5
Say I wanted to camp where there isn't any power. What would I need to run lights and maybe a small fan? Would a large marine battery and converter type system work?
I've often thought about boondocking but I know I'd HAVE to have some sort of power source to be comfortable.
Any thoughts and ideas appreciated.
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Post by mary1960 on May 5, 2011 9:48:58 GMT -5
Good question Kel ... I'm looking forward to seeing some answers too!  Probably a marine battery would work, lots of people have them wired in. |
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Post by Redwings on May 5, 2011 11:38:28 GMT -5
Kel,
I have a deep cycle RV/marine battery and an inverter for when I boondock. I attach the inverter to the battery, turn it on, and then plug Gina into the inverter. I know I lose some energy by converting it from 12v to 110v but it's so worth it to me. I can use my lights and outlets for at least a couple of outings before I have to recharge the battery.
Hope this helps! I'm looking forward to other's posts about this, too.
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Gone Kayaking
1K Post Member
long live the Vintage Shasta Trailer Forum....we're gone but you are not forgotten!
Posts: 1,600 
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Post by Gone Kayaking on May 5, 2011 13:47:35 GMT -5
This is also what I plan on doing, would wire the whole thing on 12v if I could, but there's already 110. Also going to get some small solar panels to trickle charge the battery while boondocked.
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Post by LittleVintageTrailer on May 5, 2011 15:57:55 GMT -5
Ok, so what type/size of marine battery should I get and also where would I get the inverter? I need someone to hold my hand and walk me through where to get this stuff. I assume the marine battery I could get the marine shop. But not sure where to get the inverter or what kind/brand is best?
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Post by Atomic Addiction on May 5, 2011 16:20:16 GMT -5
Kel- I am no expert on this but I know that first you have to find out your electrical load. IE: figuring out what you will be using off of shore power and running on battery power. If it is just lights you have to find out how much they draw. Add more things and that is more of a electrical load. If you start doing things like adding electrical refrigerators and AC then it gets to be a pretty big system. New small Honda generator would be something I would look into. They are pretty quiet and efficient. But that is a whole other ball of wax. I would suggest reading up on the subject from places like Airforums.com and www.mikenchell.com/forums/They have a ton of information on the subject. Brian |
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Post by LittleVintageTrailer on May 5, 2011 17:53:40 GMT -5
I'm over there reading and my head hurts already  |
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jessie
100 Post Member
Abbey, our 1969 Compact
Posts: 130
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Post by jessie on May 5, 2011 19:22:58 GMT -5
I am in the same boat, trying to figure it all out. I originally thought I could put the battery in the storage space behind my wheel well, but now that I have looked deeper into how it all works, it seems like I need to have it out on the tongue or somewhere that the gases can escape or else it might explode (LOVELY.)... although I don't get how having it on the tongue next to the propane tanks is safer either. SIGH. It is all so confusing.
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safetybruce
2K Post Member
Miss Alabama 1961
Posts: 2,547
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Post by safetybruce on May 5, 2011 21:23:19 GMT -5
My electrical knowledge is shocking and I mean that literally, but once you get a 12v power feed I'd sure be looking for LED lights to be the main source of light in your 12v lights. Might be a bit more expensive up front, but seems like the power demand is much lower, so it would be reasonable to think your deep cycle 12 volt marine battery would last longer between charges.
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Post by roothawg on Jun 3, 2011 13:48:38 GMT -5
My take on it is this......
12v will only power lights and a pump.
The fan will drain the batteries pretty quick. We are going to save our pennies and buy the quiet Honda generator. It sounds like a lot of money but.........if you buy a couple marine batteries for say $100 each, then throw in a 12V power center say $200, you are already at $400 and you can't run an air conditioner off of it. I have seen the Honda generators on sale at the big box retailers for around $899. Then you can run pretty much everything (if you are running propane fridge and stove). I am going to use a 115V ShurFlo pump, but I have to buy one anyway.
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vikx
3K Post Member
Posts: 3,556
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Post by vikx on Jun 4, 2011 1:44:30 GMT -5
The battery should be a deep cycle, series 24 or 27; doesn't have to be "marine". Amp hour ratings will give you an idea of life. The battery should be in a vented enclosed compartment or on the tongue. Even the newer gel or glass mats can gas...
All of my trailers have a 12 volt system along with the 110. It's not hard to do. I have a Fantastic fan, cigar plug, water pump and a few lights. The battery will easily keep up with everything over a long weekend if the Fan is not used for long periods.
The little quiet generators are a very good way to run a 110 trailer while boon docking. A battery bank and inverter are way overkill for our little vintage trailers. A great way to add lights is LED puck lights-they seem to last forever on AA batteries. We use them in the house when the power goes out.
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Gone Kayaking
1K Post Member
long live the Vintage Shasta Trailer Forum....we're gone but you are not forgotten!
Posts: 1,600
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Post by Gone Kayaking on Jun 6, 2011 0:33:21 GMT -5
Got someone coming over next weekend to do the electric....so it is really now decision time. I have heard very clearly that the AGM's don't gas, I'm not opposed to putting on the tongue but would rather not cause there's not a ton of room. I hate the sound of generators and would prefer not to use em. The LED puck lights are a great idea especially mounted under a cabinet where they won't be seen. Gina what size battery do you use.
My max daily load as I have it figured out is only about 40 amp hours per day using 12v LED lights and that assumes running a laptop on power (not batteries) for a couple of hours each day.
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Post by Redwings on Jun 6, 2011 17:42:09 GMT -5
The battery I use is an EV 27 that i got from our local Battery Warehouse. It's a deep cycle RV/Marine battery but I can't remember what capacity it is. I paid around $100 for it. It's at the battery warehouse right now getting recharged and they only charge me $3 per charge.
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Post by Redwings on Jun 6, 2011 18:06:03 GMT -5
The battery I use is 625 cold-cranking amps with a 125 amp reserve. (That means nothing to me but maybe it will to you!)
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Post by june on Jun 15, 2011 20:56:38 GMT -5
Links at bottom of this doc give power consumption for many trailer appliances, accessories, lighting, etc. Also info on solar. Harbor Freight sells inverters, converters, solar products but not the best quality. For good source of info, go to: www.goalzero.com/learn.htmlCostco is currently doing a road show of Goal Zero products. There's an Escape 150 pak that includes 150w "battery" w integrated inverter, includes USB, 120, and 12v ports, 15w high-quality solar panel, and light. It can power a small refrigerator, laptop, and smaller electronics. I've done lots of research and haven't found anything close in price nor convenience for the $250. Additionally, Goal Zero contributes profits to humanitarian work. Attachments:
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Post by june on Jun 15, 2011 21:02:44 GMT -5
Here's the link if you have an older version of Word. Attachments:
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mcaf10
100 Post Member
Gizmo - 1961 Nomad
Posts: 127
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Post by mcaf10 on Jun 16, 2011 8:27:53 GMT -5
Links at bottom of this doc give power consumption for many trailer appliances, accessories, lighting, etc. Also info on solar. Harbor Freight sells inverters, converters, solar products but not the best quality. For good source of info, go to: www.goalzero.com/learn.htmlCostco is currently doing a road show of Goal Zero products. There's an Escape 150 pak that includes 150w "battery" w integrated inverter, includes USB, 120, and 12v ports, 15w high-quality solar panel, and light. It can power a small refrigerator, laptop, and smaller electronics. I've done lots of research and haven't found anything close in price nor convenience for the $250. Additionally, Goal Zero contributes profits to humanitarian work. Thank you so much for posting this - the electrical / power is one area I knew I had to do some research on and this info. really helps |
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Post by chyleen on Jun 16, 2011 9:18:53 GMT -5
Our Shasta must have a built in inverter. We have two different power connection cords; 1 hooks into the trailer then into the power source, the other hook into the same outlet on the trailer and has two small alligator clips to connect to a battery. I simply change the light bulbs if we will be where we have a power source. We, like some of the others, have for years used a deep cell RV/marine battery. We have used it maily for lights. our other appliances run on propane and we only hook the fridge to power if we aren't boondocking. We have D cell battery operated fans. We've been out for 7-10 days on just battery power.
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Post by bagpipeswest on Aug 7, 2011 21:52:46 GMT -5
If you have the room ... I use on my big trailer two 6 volt deep cell golf cart batteries wired in series for 12 volts.
I love it
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Probably a marine battery would work, lots of people have them wired in.
