new converter/charger and shunt |
Post Reply | Page <12 |
Author | |
gpokluda
Senior Member Joined: 11 Nov 2018 Location: NM Online Status: Offline Posts: 327 |
Post Options
Quote Reply
Topic: new converter/charger and shunt Posted: 04 Nov 2022 at 4:51pm |
Hi bmaddux
You ask some really good questions. Power needs during boondocking are going to differ from one camper to the next so I will give you our experiences. We have two 12V, group 24 deep cycles in parallel for 160amp hrs total, but only 80 amp hrs useable since they are flooded and only should be discharged 50%. We also have a 2000 watt inverter generator (Champion) and a GoPower 130watt portable solar kit. We have managed a full 7 days boondocking on several occasions and in all instances, power was not our limiting factor. It was water and tank capacity. With just a generator, you will be able to power your RV until your fuel supply runs out and our Champion will easily run 8hrs on 1gal of fuel. We normally run the generator 1-2 hours a day in the summer and 2-4 hours a day in fall and winter when furnace/blower run more at night. We carry about 5 gallons on gas with us, so you can easily see that we could go weeks. Supplement with the 130 watt solar kit and power is the least of your worries. We normally plug our 179 directly into the generator. Our solar kit plus into a pig tail I have installed on the battery bank. We also have a Renogy 1000watt inverter wired in for times when we need 110 for other electrical needs. Something you may want to consider is a battery cutoff switch. This will help isolate batteries from parasitic drain. We have a Renogy 500 battery monitor with a regular shunt. It does the job keeping us informed of power usage. I mounted the small display on the wall along with the tank and battery monitor that came with the Rpod. I can't speak to the use of golf cart batteries. I know some folks really like them but, like you, the added weight concerned me. Best of luck
|
|
Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Kawasaki KLR650 |
|
offgrid
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 05 Nov 2022 at 5:02am |
I think you'll be happy with two 6v GC2 size batteries. Your tow vehicle is fine for the tongue weight increase, which will be around 60-70 lbs or so vs a single group 27 battery which is probably what you have now. Don't settle for 195 amphours, you can readily get 210-220 AH GC2 batteries.
Remember that you don't want to discharge beyond about 50%. That gave us about 2-3 days boondocking capacity running either the fan full time or the heater at at around 50% duty cycle, a few hours of TV and lights in the evening, and other normal 12V usage including some USB device charging. Roughly around 30-50 amphours a day total No 120V inverter operation, that can kill your energy budget. I swapped out the TV for a dual 12/120V one, I recommend doing the same, rather than run an inverter.
My 2kw (now they're 2.2kw) Honda would maintain the batteries in about 1 hour daily runtime or so.. I suggest daily as that minimizes battery cycling, but you can certainly go 2 days and run longer. Unless you mostly camp under tree canopy then I'd also get a 100-120 watt or larger solar module and charge controller. If you do that you will only need to run the generator during cloudy periods. If you run the Honda a bit while preparing breakfast and or dinner you can run the microwave at the same time and get your hour a day charging done simultaneously The generator will be limited in charging rate by the converter not the total load on it, unless you run the a/c. If you want to be able to do that if needed (why would you not?) then the 2 or 2.2k Honda is still fine, but you should install an Easystart in the a/c to reduce compressor startup current. That approach is better that getting a heavier generator unless you have a really strong back Overall, dual GC2 batteries, a 2.2K Honda, or other high quality inverter generator of similar size, an Easystart, a 12V TV, and a 120W plus portable solar setup makes for a reasonably low cost, flexible boondock package. Keep a second propane cylinder in the truck as well and convert the Honda to run on that, much more convenient, no worries about bad gas, and cleaner that carrying gasoline, and you have backup for the rpod propane appliances. You can also use the Honda and propane cylinder at home for emergencies. The whole setup will cost maybe around $2k. You don't have to buy a name brand solar module, any glass/aluminum frame 12V module will be fine Avoid the so called flexible solar modules, they aren't. The solar cells will eventually break in those things I used to manufacture them If you have room in the truck you can often get a 250-300 watt or so residential solar module cheap left over from a project. Check Craigslist. That will still only weigh around 40-50 lbs so not a back killer, and you might almost never need to run the generator, it will produce around 25-35 amphours even on a cloudy day. Get an MPPT type charge controller if you get one of those modules the MPPT will step the voltage from the larger solar module down for 12V charging. Ditto the batteries, you don't need expensive name brand AGM's as long as youre willing to keep an eye on electrolyte levels in inexpensive flooded batteries every few weeks. Either way they will last about 4 or 5 years probably Lithium batteries are much better and very reasonable now but the need to change your converter and vehicle charge system, and to keep the batteries warm makes it too expensive and complex for most folks. Spend the money getting a good quality generator and an Easystart instead. Have fun boondocking. We rarely stayed in campgrounds with hookups, the more primitive ones are generally so much quieter and more private. And much cheaper, you'll pay for the boondock stuff in a month or two of off grid camping. |
|
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
|
jato
Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3252 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 05 Nov 2022 at 8:13pm |
We don't have any of the following in our 177 (it was special ordered this way back in January 2011) no A/C, entertainment system or microwave/convection oven) as we usually camp where there is no electricity. Batteries we carry: a pair of 12v. #1 is a Trojan T-1275 golf cart battery, weight is 85 lbs and gives 166 aH at the 100 hr. rate and 150 aH at the 20 hour rate. It is just over a year old. Our other dependable battery is an Interstate group size 24 deep cycle which will turn 12 years old next April - been a real workhorse over the years and still holds a great charge. We expect 6 days total out of both batteries when night temps are in the mid-low 40's and the furnace runs quite a bit (we like to keep it 58-60 when sleeping). Battery is run to 50% S.O.C. or 12.2v and then changed out to the other fully charged one. As we travel the low battery is charging off the tow vehicle's generator. This has worked very well for us over the last 12 years of travel across the U.S.A. No generator or solar utilized. We travel light and simple.
|
|
God's pod
'11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
|
bmaddux
Newbie Joined: 17 Feb 2022 Location: Whidbey Island Online Status: Offline Posts: 6 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Nov 2022 at 2:29pm |
Thank you all for your responses. This confirms that I'm on the right track and will start getting it together over the winter.
|
|
2013 Ford F150 Ecoboost
2017 RPOD 178 Hood River |
|
Post Reply | Page <12 |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |