Dry Camping

[Livin the Life]

Dry camping here we come.
I have been reading as much and as many of the posting on this subject and it is enough to warp the brain.
All makes sense when reading it, but.........
I think I am ready to put this new knowledge (?) to work, so here goes.
Any comment/help would be appreciated.
I am installing a xantrex 2000 watt pro watt sw inverter, w/GFI plugs, in my TT.
Using 4/0 wire from it to batteries, (about a 4-5 foot run), two Trojan T-105 Plus batteries, w/250 amp fuse, (+) pos side.
Do I have to change the wiring run to my exsisting WFCO 8955AN converter/charger or just keep it hooked up to the + side of the battery on top of the new 4/0 wire.
In addition, I will be installing a Trimetric 2025RV to monitor the system. All neg (-) side wiring will go through the 500amp shunt as per the instructions.
I will only be using the inverter to plug in my CPAP machine at night.
I have a Powerhouse 3100i generator to charge batteries when needed.
What am I missing?

[RPAspey]

Your setup sounds about right. How much power does the CPAP use?

2000 Cherokee, LEDs, solar, inverter, etc. '07 Tundra 5.7L DC-LB, modded as well.

[bob7794]

I found it easier and cheaper to get a 12v adapter for my CPAP machine and install a 12v plug by my bed. I think it cost me about $25 and works perfectly.

[tycham]

That is what I did for the DW. We have 700 ah of house batteries and an inverter but efficiency is to use DC when you can. It saves the loss that an inverter uses. With humidifier, her CPAP uses about 6 amps dc

[tycham]

That is the inverter we are using. Let me know what you think of the 2025 RV. I am either doing that or the Victron

[garbonz]

"Do I have to change the wiring run to my exsisting WFCO 8955AN converter/charger or just keep it hooked up to the + side of the battery on top of the new 4/0 wire"

Yep that's all. Just make sure you don 't run the converter from the inverter.

[DogMan635]

Originally Posted by bob7794

I found it easier and cheaper to get a 12v adapter for my CPAP machine and install a 12v plug by my bed. I think it cost me about $25 and works perfectly.

Bob7794,



I am still wondering where your thoughts are today on the Li3 with G-Freedom and Xantrx is today as I'm looking of sliding into a Galleria 24A, with Li3 and 20K a/c as I understand I can go up to 10-hours with no charge and up to 6-months of storage time. Now, these are general limits as to power draws. i did attach a new story with regard to power between Winnabagos Pure3 and Li3 systems. Would like your feedback

[tycham]

LiFePO4 are definitely the future in batteries. The only drawbacks I see is the hight cost, recycling and their need to be warmed before using (climate related).

I use them in all my motorcycles and all the motorcycles I build. The cons are easily off set by the pros

In your case, I do think they are charging a huge penalty for the battery/ac combination. The Lithionics Lithium is about $8200 without a balancer. The balancer is another $2600. I am not sure about the 12 vdc air conditioning since they are new.

For ME this would not be a good solution. Charging a 600 battery would need 30 amps of shore power or a generator and would not be quick. When we are dry camping we don't have shore power for many days. Our 600 watt solar array could not charge this battery in a day so we would still need to run the genset (if we needed ac). I have looked at LiFePO to replace our 6 house batteries (600 amp hours) and will do so for the weight savings when it is time. I will be able to lessen the storage area need and save hundreds of pounds. I will also be able to do less that 600 amp of storage because of the discharge curve (probably 2-300 total). And my cost will be closer to $2500.

[benchdog]

I also use a CPAP, typical CPAP only requires, on average, 175 watts. Your set up will handle much more.

[tycham]

We use solar for all of our needs when boon docking. That includes TV, microwave and the ac. We only run one ac at a time. If it is so hot that we need both we run the generator

[ppine]

And learn to conserve water.
Run on propane.
Create enough power.