1st dry camp
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Forum Name: Camping Adventures
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2336
Printed Date: 18 May 2024 at 7:50pm
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Topic: 1st dry camp
Posted By: ajzuma
Subject: 1st dry camp
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2012 at 6:09pm
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Hi Everyone, Got back last week from my first dry camp trip with my trailer (rpod 151). This was a check out trip to determine what is needed for longer trips. Stayed 3 nights at the Corrizo Plains National Monument. The park is located in a very secluded area about 50 mi west of Bakersfield,Ca. off of hwy 58. The Corrizo is definitely dry camping. You have to or should pack in your own water. The two camp grounds are nice, clean, level, free and have vault toilets. The main features of the park would be Soda Lake (which was dry), San Andreas Fault (which was'nt shaking) and a abundance of wild life. During my hikes into the plains I spotted
coyotes, maybe a fox?, hawks, eagles, other birds and a herd of
Tule Elk. I would imagine strolling around the Corrizo would be like strolling though the plains of
africa except without the lions rhinos and whatever. The park is beautiful.
What I determined afer this trip is I need more battery capacity (have a grp 24) and evenutally a higher clearance vehicle with more power. (used a 4 cyl 2 wheel drive truck)
Thanks, ajzuma
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Replies:
Posted By: g4royce
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2012 at 7:30pm
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The park sounds gorgeous. Can't believe that there were so many animals. ------------- ChaiPod 2009 RP152 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.5L V6 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2012 at 8:09pm
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If you move to 2 batteries, I highly recommend going with two 6 volt (golf cart) deep cycle batteries in series vs. two 12 volt deep cycle batteries in parallel.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: ajzuma
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2012 at 3:42am
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Hi again, I saw the elks while hiking for about 3 hrs into the plains. Spotted the other animals and birds while driving around the dirt roads.
The battery power were mainly consumed by the using the furnace a few times, lights, and a 400 watt inverter that powered a satellite radio. The golf cart batteries is a great idea but maybe a bit heavy. Trying to stay lite as posible. Pulling the 151 with a Toyota 4 cyl.
Thinking of two inexpensive 12 volt batteries until I buy another truck. Expecting my dependable 14 year old toy to blow up soon from all this abusive driving and tolling.
My next trip will be a week in Death Valley during early Spring.
Thanks ajzuma
Oh! Word of advice guys. Always test your gear before you go out to sticks. While tolling my toy only has 140 mi range so I bought gas cans. Discovered the gas can spout were too short to reach the gas tank fill hole. Did'nt have a funnel so I was screwed. Had to improvise. Took my solar shower apart and used the tubing. Duct tape the tubing to the mouth of a disposible water bottle then cut the bottom of the bottle off and feed the fuel intravenously.
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2012 at 3:52pm
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In general the weight of a similar-sized battery (group 24, 26, etc) will be the same. Not exactly, but close. If you are going to add a 2nd battery it really doesn't matter if it is another 12 volt battery - or if you change out to two 6 volt batteries. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2012 at 3:54pm
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Creative way to get around your gas problem. I recently bought a new 5-gallon gas can and wondered the same thing about its short spout. Now I need to check to see if I can use it to fill my cars! I specifically bought this one to keep gas long-term (with Stabil) for emergencies. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2012 at 3:45am
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If you were NOT using the fridge, it should be unplugged. If left plugged in it still uses power. The same with the TV. Using a regular battery powered radio for over the air radio, although not as nice, will save a lot of battery drain on the Pod also. As you found out, the furnace draws a lot of power. Its the blower that does it. Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: ajzuma
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2012 at 4:39am
 Hi Again Everyone, Thanks for the replies guys. Great ideas. Did'nt consider uplugging the appliances. The 4 blue ice placed in the refer didn't quite last the trip.
Have some ideas on saving battery power. Thinking of wiring the battery compartment of the satellite radio so it can plugged into a 12 volt outlet. The radio will accept 8 C cells. Then I won't have to use an inverter. For heat I'll use a portable buddy with a extension hose that will reach the trailer propane bottle. I'll be sure to leave the windows, and if nessesary the door open for ventilation.
Picked up a transmission fill funnel for the gas cans and try it out. Works perfectly. Built some shelves made of bamboo cutting boards and brass fittings then installed a couple 12 volt outlets to them. The shelves were mounted on each side of the entertainment console. I'll post some pictures when I learn how its done. Had the axle bearings repacked for the first time. Trailer should just about be ready for the Death Valley trip.
Thanks and happy camping, ajzuma
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Posted By: Hodge-PODge
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2012 at 7:56am
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Looking forward to seeing those pictures! ------------- 2011 RP 177, the Hodge-PODge 2011 Mercedes ML350 "A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it." |
Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2012 at 8:58am
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If dry camping is going to be a regular activity for you, I'd suggest a generator. That's assuming your definition of dry camping is going to a place that doesn't have electric but you desire it vs. you not wanting to use electric at all. Look at the Honda or Yamaha.
------------- "Ray & Connie" - 2017 R-Pod RP-180 - 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road |
Posted By: Uncle Billy
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2012 at 3:38pm
| I bought a 40w solar panel. Seems to do a good job of keeping the batteries charged as long as the sun is shining. |
Posted By: ajzuma
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2012 at 9:26pm
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Hi Everyone, Again great ideas. Considered a generator, but decided against it. Trying to minimize the ecological footprint. Solar panels might be the way to go. Base on some solar power and deep cycle battery reseach I estimate I would need 80 watts of solar panels to charge two group 24 batteries within one 6 hour day of good sunlight. Is this correct? I found a store located in Az that sells a portable solar panel package. The system includes solar panels that folds in half, a charge controller, and a neat aluminum hard case. I like it but very expensive. About $500. What do you guys think?
Thanks, ajzuma
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2012 at 1:19pm
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I highly recommend you go to the Wind Sun Solar Forum and discuss your plans there. There are members there that have lived off-grid from solar since the early 80's - thousands of years' experience combined. http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/index.php - http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/index.php
I can tell you that 80 watts of panels will only give you about 16 amps @ 12 volts over a full day of charging. This includes 5 hours of sun (you'll get less in the winter, don't count on more in the summer), times 80 watts, divided by 2, divided by 12 volts. Between charger losses, line losses, battery losses during charging, etc, you end up loosing half of your input power. You'll need more panels. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: ajzuma
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2012 at 5:53pm
| Hi Guys, I'm not a full time RVer and don't plan to be. It looks like a wonderful life but I love the city life and don't want give it up yet, Just want to escape from the city a few months a year. The rv parks I've used up to now just don't do it for me. The're like small cities. Just want to live off the grid a few weeks at a time and have a few comforts. Thanks, ajzuma |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2012 at 8:37pm
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You'll be pulling more than 16 amps out of your batteries each day if you aren't careful, especially if you use the factory incandescent lights and the furnace (the fan uses a lot). Not a big deal for a week out since you can plug in at home after the week is over, while putting 16 amps back in every day to extend your runtime during that week. But go a few weeks out and you'll never keep up.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: ajzuma
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2012 at 7:43pm
Hi Again, Thanks for all the information guys. I'm just going to go out there and wing it. Finally loaded some pictures into th             e computer. Hope they loaded.
Thanks, ajzuma
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Posted By: bobthrash
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2012 at 9:32pm
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We dry camp almost always. We have 2 batteries with a isolation switch then a solar panel, and led lights. It is good to have the isolation switch then when if you run out of juice you have back up and can further conserve. Our solar panel is portable so we can chase the sun if need be. ------------- Bob & Maureen 172 2006 Tundra |
Posted By: ajzuma
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2012 at 5:02am
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Hi Everyone, I considered all the suggestion and decided to buy one AGM group 24 battery and later a 80 watt portable solar panel. The current wet cell will be use solely as a house battery. I will pickup LED lights and conserve power the best I can. The AGM battery will be carried in the POD and stowed securely. The AGM will be used mainly during extended trailer dry camping, tent camping, fishing trips, back-up to the house battery and running my radio. Thanks again guys. I'm going sign off from this post because we're kind of getting away from camping adventures. (My fault) I'll start a new post when I return from Death Valley. Happy Camping, ajzuma
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2012 at 9:52pm
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Sounds like a good start. A second battery will go a long way.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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