What to do, no generator allowed!

[Rodney Butalla]

The first week of August we will be camping for the entire week, at Peninsula State Park in Door county Wisconsin. I was told last weekend at a different state park by a camper there that at Peninsula you absolutely can not have a generator! Well i have 2 12 volt batteries, but they will not last a week. So i don't know what to do! I wanted to buy a solar suitcase set up, but my wife says we have enough stuff! She said i should just take my 2000 watt Yamaha along and take the batteries off, put them in the truck and drive to town and charge them. Well that does not sound like a vacation to me! I thought about just hooking up the trailer plug and run the truck, but that could take awhile, and does not sound like a good option either! Any suggestions?

[Blackhat6mike]

Solar would have been the answer, but it's late in the game for that. Most people don't go to solar until they have no other options. When they find out how good solar works, they expand their systems and never look back.
You don't need a "suitcase", just mount them on the roof and forget about them.
If DW thinks removing the bats and taking them to town would be a good idea, perhaps you should let her, after all it WAS her idea! LOL Good Luck!

[deartruc]

My 2 cents. No where near familiar with that area..but, if you're going to drive to town, what about bringing a battery charger and plugging in? I think you'd charge faster than off your gen. (We've plugged the battery charger in at the bath house at the state cg we go to). (I've even been bold enough to run a 100ft extension cord when we were backed up to one of the bath houses).

[Radio]

Rig up some jumper cables and charge them with the truck. Will not take long, the truck alternator puts out a lot of current.

[HONDAMAN174]

Hook up jumper cables to your TV and TT and run for 30 min apiece. It is using what you already have and gives you a reason to drink an adult beverage or two while it happens.

[Batts-toy]

Their rules indicate no generator but can be over ruled by area managers. But the rules specifically say people with electrical requirements due to medical issues are encouraged to take sites with electrical power hookups and may use a generator in the event of a power failure. This is the rule for all Wisconsin State parks so I doubt they will let you use it. It's all about keeping it quiet for other campers. They will put the brakes on any noise they do not consider needed for the enjoyment of camping.

[CNYCamper]

Your information is second hand. I'd call the park to find out if the no generator rule is a fact. Maybe the park bans open frame contractor models only but allows the relatively quiet Hondas and Yamahas.

[Rodney Butalla]

Originally Posted by CNYCamper

Your information is second hand. I'd call the park to find out if the no generator rule is a fact. Maybe the park bans open frame contractor models only but allows the relatively quiet Hondas and Yamahas.

Nope, i did call and confirmed that, only if you have documented medical need.

[deartruc]

One other thing I've seen is where when an ADA site was vacant, people would use their battery chargers there.

A TV would have a 65 amp alternator standard, 85 amp with a tow package. At idle, it will barely be putting out any more than what the TV needs. You get that amperage basically at highway RPM's. Or, jumper cables to a second battery never worked for me in the past.

[Rodney Butalla]

Originally Posted by deartruc

My 2 cents. No where near familiar with that area..but, if you're going to drive to town, what about bringing a battery charger and plugging in? I think you'd charge faster than off your gen. (We've plugged the battery charger in at the bath house at the state cg we go to). (I've even been bold enough to run a 100ft extension cord when we were backed up to one of the bath houses).

Thanks, not a bad idea, i like your boldness!

[KyDan]

We've gone 5 nights on 2 12v batteries several times. Are you sure you have a problem??

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Rodney Butalla

The first week of August we will be camping for the entire week, at Peninsula State Park in Door county Wisconsin. I was told last weekend at a different state park by a camper there that at Peninsula you absolutely can not have a generator! Well i have 2 12 volt batteries, but they will not last a week. So i don't know what to do! I wanted to buy a solar suitcase set up, but my wife says we have enough stuff! She said i should just take my 2000 watt Yamaha along and take the batteries off, put them in the truck and drive to town and charge them. Well that does not sound like a vacation to me! I thought about just hooking up the trailer plug and run the truck, but that could take awhile, and does not sound like a good option either! Any suggestions?

Peninsula S/P is a 24 hr (Quiet Park) good luck with that! 1/3 of the Campsites have (Elect.) did you ask when you booked? Let us know about their (24hr Quite Policy)! Youroo!!

[elchilero53]

Originally Posted by Blackhat6mike

Solar would have been the answer, but it's late in the game for that. Most people don't go to solar until they have no other options. When they find out how good solar works, they expand their systems and never look back.
You don't need a "suitcase", just mount them on the roof and forget about them.
If DW thinks removing the bats and taking them to town would be a good idea, perhaps you should let her, after all it WAS her idea! LOL Good Luck!

Solar is a great idea. We have used the Jumper cable thing to charge our batteries and they charged quickly. Solar sounds like a better setup for dry camping!

[Rodney Butalla]

Originally Posted by KyDan

We've gone 5 nights on 2 12v batteries several times. Are you sure you have a problem??

Well we have to go 7, and i dont think they are the best batteries as far as available amp hours.

[Flybob]

You can purchase a 140W panel and a controller for about $500. For this trip you can just prop it up on a PVC stand facing the sun and wire it directly to the batteries. As you have time you can make it a more permanent installation.

[HONDAMAN174]

Rented a unit and had a half charged battery. Unit was dead just after midnight from running heater. Hooked up jumper cables and let it run (took cat nap inside TV) for 30 minutes. Charged enough to get thru til morning. Then ran for hour at 1500 rpm and was fine until next day. Worked for me- and even with that experience we went out and bought a TT.

[bob caldwell]

use an inverter at tv and a battery charger

[Rodney Butalla]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

use an inverter at tv and a battery charger

Thanks that is one option i was considering, But to make it simpler, i was thinking of using the TT power cord and plug into the inverter just like i would plug in the wall socket at home. Then also plug in the trailer plug to the back of the truck and charge both ways. Dont know if i would gain anything that way. This is the inverter i was looking at.http://www.amazon.com/BESTEK%C2%AE-O...bxgy_86_text_y

[harderd]

I would find another campground. Doesn't sound like a place I want to go to.

[Rodney Butalla]

Originally Posted by harderd

I would find another campground. Doesn't sound like a place I want to go to.

Yea i agree, but there is a whole group of Friends going, like 10 of us, plus some guests. So i have to go! But NEVER again. I don't know what the big deal about running a 200 watt Yamaha, that is super quiet around noon is!