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Old 01-13-2016, 08:23 PM   #1
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Need More Power

My TT came with one 12V battery which doesn't last very long without a charge when dry camping.

I'm looking at alternatives. Any ideas on the best option?

From my research I find 3 options.

1. Generator
2. Solar
3. Additional batteries

Problems with:

1. Honda 2000 (best in class from my research) is $900-1000...needs gas and some noise involved.

2. Expensive and need additional battery banks.

3. No place on the TT to incorporate extra batteries and will need charging at some point.

Which way should I go?

Any other options I'm missing?

Planning on dry camping about 70% - 80% of the time which equates to 30-45 days out of the year.
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Old 01-13-2016, 08:30 PM   #2
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My vote is for 1 & 3-

Find away to add one more battery so your charging times are farther apart and a generator to charge.


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Old 01-13-2016, 08:32 PM   #3
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This is what I have found. I have a Honda generator that works great. The problem is I don't feel comfortable leaving it running while no one is around. Most campsites have "noise hours" that equate to the daylight hours when we like to go hiking or sightseeing. So, I always end up not running the generator enough. I am looking into a portable solar system or possibly a permanent mount one.
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Old 01-13-2016, 08:32 PM   #4
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One way or another you are going to need to pack extra stuff and weight.

Swap out the 12v for 2-4 6v batteries, buy the Honda and a gas can.
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Old 01-13-2016, 08:35 PM   #5
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What are the advantages of switching to the multiple 6V's?

Sorry I'm a noob TT owner.
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Old 01-13-2016, 08:48 PM   #6
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For more amp hour capacity.
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Old 01-13-2016, 08:57 PM   #7
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What is the group number (24, 27, 31, etc.) or the amp hours of the battery that you now have?
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Old 01-13-2016, 09:07 PM   #8
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Anyway you look at it, you will need more batteries whether 6vdc or 12vdc. Solar works perfect for me as I don't have to haul around gas, oil or listen to a gen running. Just my personal preference.
If you set up solar correctly, it will provide you with plenty of safe, quiet electricity. Solar is worthless without a way to store it [batteries].
I haven't turned on my converter for over 6 months and haven't seen my batts go below 12.2.
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Old 01-13-2016, 09:27 PM   #9
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Much depends on where you camp. Camping in Utah, Texas, & Arizona for 4-5 weeks at a time we have used solar and never fired up the generator. Last year running up the East coast and Canada the solar was useless. We were forced to charge with the generator (Honda EU2000) and it is just obnoxious.

Note* The battery your FR camper came with is probably a "dual purpose" battery. These are nothing but a cranking battery with crappy reserve capacity. Get yourself a true deep cycle; Group 24 = 85 amp/hours, Group 27 = 105/115 Ah. Battery capacity is measured by the pound; more lead = more amps.
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Old 01-13-2016, 10:17 PM   #10
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I'm southern cal so sunlight shouldn't be an issue.

I did some research on solar...renogy, go power and the like.

Looking like its gonna cost a minimum of 2k to go strictly solar plus batteries with an MPPT and a pure sine inverter.

Is this more or less accurate?

What are some of the better solar setups available?
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Old 01-13-2016, 10:36 PM   #11
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Renogy is a good company to do business with. I have 8 of their 100 watt panels, wiring, fuses and MPPT controller and they all work well. Their customer service was great.
I have yet to find a reason for a pure sinewave inverter over a modified sinewave. There have been no ill effects to anything I've run off of my MSW 5,000/10,000 watt unit. TVs, computers, BlueRay, chargers, etc all work just fine.
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Old 01-13-2016, 10:45 PM   #12
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2 batteries will get you a longer interval between needing to charge but the charge time with 2 batteries is also a lot longer. No free lunch.

I just use 1 Trojan 12V Group 30 and a Honda EU2000i. Works great.
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Old 01-13-2016, 11:16 PM   #13
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We have (2) 100 watt Renogy panels, (2) Trojan T-105 batteries. Did a 13 day trip to Glacier National Park in 2015 and never ran low on electricity. Probably spent a little over $1100 for panels, batteries, charge controller and monitor, and battery box.
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Old 01-14-2016, 01:08 AM   #14
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Either way you slice it, you're going to spend roughly $1,500-$2,500 to do what you're looking to do. Here's my solution.

I'm running four 6V golf cart batteries. I wanted the extra amp hours over typical 12V batteries, even though it is only about 40 more per pair. Plus, 6V batteries are known for being more durable if they get pulled too low. I have them in a split series-parallel arrangement through a heavy duty switch that gives me bat 1, bat 2, both so I can do whatever I might want to do.

Every day when I would cook dinner I would fire up the generator, a Honda EU2000i, let it run for an hour or two while the converter charged the batteries. I'd also charge the phone, iPad, etc. I would watch the voltage, charging it would be in the 14V range, as the batteries got topped up the voltage would start dropping. That indicates they're in the ~90% range and enough. I use a cpap machine run through an inverter, which is why I need to charge daily, even though I could probably go every other day with the generator.

Part of why I got that generator is because I have its twin also to run the AC.

I'm looking into solar as well, which would make the generator unnecessary in mild weather, but you're still looking to setup in a well lit area, hope for clear skies, etc. so I'll still carry my generator just in case.
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Old 01-14-2016, 05:17 PM   #15
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This is based on some assumptions; you mentioned you are short on room for another battery, so I am thinking you only have one right now?
Also, how much power you use per day can make a huge difference. I have a Renogy system (solar panel and charge controller-no inverter, $150). We run lights, water pump, laptop, & phone/camera chargers off the battery. Fridge & water heater on propane. A large battery bank and associated solar system are required for more (microwave). For AC a generator is pretty much the only solution.
The 100 watt panels will provide 6-7 amps for battery charging so 6 X 6 hours of sun = 36 amp/hrs which will typically recharge a Group 24 deep cycle (85 Ah) about half discharged. More batteries = more panels.
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