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shroomer
Senior Member
Joined: 24 Aug 2013
Location: New Haven, CT
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Posts: 236
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Topic: Alternative to solar power? Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 7:48am |
We can't use solar power to recharge our batteries because we always camp in the woods and in the shade. Don't like the heat. I've noticed though that just about every time we go camping it rains. Usual biblical amounts of rain. So has any genius out there come up with a way to convert all that hydro energy into electricity? I'd buy something like that. Of course it would just stop raining then.
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Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6
New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp
Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
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Posts: 6128
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Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 7:54am |
Since all you need to do is recharge batteries, buy the smallest quietest genny Honda makes, the 1000i, sips fuel and you can run it under your picnic table while you eat and not hear it.
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shroomer
Senior Member
Joined: 24 Aug 2013
Location: New Haven, CT
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Posts: 236
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Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 8:16am |
I just want to convert rain to electricity!
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Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6
New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8
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Tars Tarkas
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Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Near Nashville
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Posts: 1447
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Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 8:27am |
It's done all the time. Unfortunately, it requires very large reservoirs of rainwater (snow melt works too) and turbines that are generally too big to haul around in a travel trailer. A lot of campgrounds utilize these devices though very few have their own.
TT
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser
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shroomer
Senior Member
Joined: 24 Aug 2013
Location: New Haven, CT
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Posts: 236
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Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 9:02am |
If we can catch sunbeams and turn them into electrons, why not rain drops? C'mon you engineers - no more excuses! We don't need kilowatts.
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Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6
New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8
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JohnBG
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Joined: 14 Apr 2015
Location: Deltona, FL
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Posts: 190
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Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 9:39am |
If you camp near a creek with flowing water there are some small home build generator kits that you could use, google them.
As far as rain drops, you can't pull more energy out of them than the kinetic energy they have. It would take millions of raindrops to produce a useable amount of energy.
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2010 R-Pod RP-171
2010 Honda Ridgeline TV
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GLBCamper
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Joined: 30 Jun 2015
Location: Oregon
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Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 11:29am |
OK. My first post and it always feels like a stupid question, but what runs on DC besides lights and furnace fan? Also, can't you just use the TV like a generator? (Plug into bargeman and idle?) If so, how long would it take to charge?
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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab
New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd
2016 F150 4x4 Sport
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JohnBG
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Location: Deltona, FL
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Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 12:25pm |
Lights , bathroom fan, Water pump, propane sensor, fridge electronics, fridge (but not for long if you set it that way), and inverter electronics all run on 12VDC.
I have seen folks fire up their tow vehicle and rev the engine to put some charge on the battery. Not sure how well it works, for now I have only camped at places with electric and water hookups.
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2010 R-Pod RP-171
2010 Honda Ridgeline TV
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podrunner
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Joined: 30 May 2013
Location: Draper, UT
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Posts: 106
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Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 12:48pm |
If you are going to plug in the bargman and idle, better choice is jumper cables. 1/2 hour of idle time will put a substantial charge back in the RV battery.
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2010 R Pod 151
2017 4runner
2006 Honda Metropolitan
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GLBCamper
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Joined: 30 Jun 2015
Location: Oregon
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Posts: 274
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Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 5:19pm |
So...bypass the Bargman and just jump directly from TV battery to TT battery? Is there any downside to that? Why would I want a generator if I can just charge that way. Isn't my TV just one big generator?
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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab
New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd
2016 F150 4x4 Sport
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