Battery power when boondocking

[cyclenate]

I boil water and use a Maleta cone filter to make the perfect cup(s) of coffee. No electricity ..I use a jet boil to get er done in a minute or so. Winter time use the propane stove in the RV to help warm things a bit inside.

[nodrawers]

Inverter is close to the batteries and good heavy wire. Just modified a short #10 guage three prong extension cord to the weather proof outlet. Directly plugs into the inverter. Protected with ckt bkr.

[Tundra 2014]

The TV is fine on a small inverter. Coffee maker, hair dryer, furnace fan all use too much wattage to me for an inverter for multiple uses w/o recharging. Coffee maker is 1500 watts, + 150 watts of loss by the inverter-1650. The 1650/ 120= 13.5 amps-steady draw. If you have twin 105 amp batteries, 210 amp/.50%-battery life decreases if pulling them down much further. Gives you 105 amps. to work with, on new batteries. All depends on how much battery bank you have and how much solar you have. On a single battery, you would use up it up pretty quick w/ higher amp items.

[drburns]

Here is what I did. Allows me to use microwave and coffee pot like I was plugged into 110. I have been able to stay off grid for 5 days at a time so far with this setup...in shady areas...so no help from my solar panels - https://diysolarforum.com/threads/rv...atteries.6773/

[Daniel.mullins4]

I ordered HIC Harold Import Co. Coffee Filter Cone, No.4-Plastic, Black $6.99 on Amazon fits over my electric coffe maker carafe, when I don’t have 110v power. Most all campsite no portable generators before 8 am

[Phil 179]

Keep in mind that on most inverters the number showing, IE 2000 Watt, is only the "surge" rating. I bought a 1000 watt, before I found that out, and it only supplies 600 watts continuous power. Figure out the max continuous power need then by an inverter double that. (1500 watt continuous means you need a "3000 watt" inverter to be safe.

[jstich]

Use your gas stove to make coffee.
Buy a 12 volt TV, watch the news and turn it off.
I have boondocked for 5 days at a time doing this

[Alan H]

I use an inverter just for the TV. When not watching TV, the inverter is switched off. I have also used the inverter to charge cell phones/laptops/tablets/shavers, etc. One of the handiest devices I own.

[JoeCampsNE]

Ditto on the Presto. I love my coffee,

[Mr Towed]

Originally Posted by Alan H

I use an inverter just for the TV. When not watching TV, the inverter is switched off. I have also used the inverter to charge cell phones/laptops/tablets/shavers, etc. One of the handiest devices I own.

It’s not a big deal, but when you charge a cell phone or tablet from an inverter your are double converting. You are taking 12V DC from the battery and making into 120 Volt AC with the inverter. Then your phone charger is taking that 120Volt AC and making it into 5Volt DC. IF you are using a large inverter you are probably using more energy to run the inverter than you are to charge the phone. You’re better off using a car charger/ lighter plug style charger in that case, or installing direct 12 Volt to USB socket, which we are currently in the process of doing.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Phil 179

Keep in mind that on most inverters the number showing, IE 2000 Watt, is only the "surge" rating. I bought a 1000 watt, before I found that out, and it only supplies 600 watts continuous power. Figure out the max continuous power need then by an inverter double that. (1500 watt continuous means you need a "3000 watt" inverter to be safe.

Actually my 2,000w inverter is rated for 4,000w surge.
Pretty common for surge to be 2x rated with inverters unless you're speakinh of inverter generators.

Confusing.

[TC of NC]

In your trailer why not use a french press for your coffee. The are small so they don't take up much room, heat some water using a little propane and they make great tasting coffee. For the TV get an inverter, not expensive and easy to install.

[Homebrew]

We have a 400 watt inverter for out TV and a stove top perk coffee pot,Works great when we need a full pot of coffee.

[NavyLCDR]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

The popcorn adds another 3 amp hours from the microwave

or about 1/2 oz of propane:


I would not make popcorn nor coffee using an inverter and batteries.

[nic7320]

There are two kinds of RV power systems;
"Not enough," and "more than enough."

If your dealer says your new RV has solar, you most likely have "not enough.". Sure, a 100 watt panel and a single AGM battery can run a few small items, but sooner or later, you'll exceed its capacity and kill the battery. That's an expensive mistake, one we've all done at least once.

On the other hand, if you've carefully analyzed your power needs, or better yet, measured your consumption, and then bought an array of solar panels and a lot of batteries, then you advance to the category of "more than enough."

But still, don't expect to heat your rig from battery power, or go too many days without sunshine.

The long and short of this is, you can't do everything you do at home, since that's usually a 200A service panel with 120 or 240 volt circuits, where you have at least 24,000 watts available all day and night, even when the sun doesn't shine.

And your power company spends hundreds of million dollars to do this, so don't expect a little Harbor Freight solar panel to meet all your needs.

In conclusion, it's best to know what you need, and plan accordingly. A highly capable solar array with a good battery system will probably cost a few thousand dollars by the time you're done.

[jeffnick]

My solution would be a Honda 2000i and a 12vdc TV.

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by Phil 179

Keep in mind that on most inverters the number showing, IE 2000 Watt, is only the "surge" rating. I bought a 1000 watt, before I found that out, and it only supplies 600 watts continuous power. Figure out the max continuous power need then by an inverter double that. (1500 watt continuous means you need a "3000 watt" inverter to be safe.

Not true. My Samlex EVO-3012 Inverter/Charger has a surge capability of 3X its continuous power rating, allowing it to turn on loads with high starting surge.

• Samlex EVO-3012 Inverter/Charger:.....EVO-3012
• CONTINUOUS OUTPUT POWER.............3000 VA
• CONTINUOUS AC OUTPUT (A)...............25A
• SURGE POWER FOR 1 ms.....................300% (9000VA, 75A)
• SURGE POWER FOR 100 ms..................200% (6000VA, 50A)
• POWER BOOST FOR 5 SECONDS............150% (4500W)
• POWER BOOST FOR 30 SECONDS..........140% (4200W)
• POWER BOOST FOR 5 MINUTES.............120% (3600W)
• POWER BOOST FOR 30 MINUTES...........110% (3300W)

The perfect inverter for me. It is like having a UPS for my FR3.

[Greg in East TN]

I'm going to differ from previous comments. I have been looking at Viking 17' trailers and just wanted your over all satisfaction with the quality of the trailer overall. I notice you have a BH, I'm considering a FQ with Murphy Bed option. Any thoughts would be appreciated.!

[Chief57]

Originally Posted by PhilFromMaine

As the other respondents have said, you need an inverter which you attach to your battery. The size depends on what you want to power? The best type are "pure sign" inverters. Expect to pay some good money for a good one. Also, expect to lose 10 percent of the power drawn in the process of changing DC to AC.

It's "sine" wave, not "sign."

[eye95]

Originally Posted by rk06382

Not true. My Samlex EVO-3012 Inverter/Charger has a surge capability of 3X its continuous power rating, allowing it to turn on loads with high starting surge.

• Samlex EVO-3012 Inverter/Charger:.....EVO-3012
• CONTINUOUS OUTPUT POWER.............3000 VA
• CONTINUOUS AC OUTPUT (A)...............25A
• SURGE POWER FOR 1 ms.....................300% (9000VA, 75A)
• SURGE POWER FOR 100 ms..................200% (6000VA, 50A)
• POWER BOOST FOR 5 SECONDS............150% (4500W)
• POWER BOOST FOR 30 SECONDS..........140% (4200W)
• POWER BOOST FOR 5 MINUTES.............120% (3600W)
• POWER BOOST FOR 30 MINUTES...........110% (3300W)

The perfect inverter for me. It is like having a UPS for my FR3.

He qualified his statement with the word “most”. Based on my experience, that makes his statement true, and the description of the generator you cite to be out of the norm.