Boondocking how many days

[Woody1959]

Just came back from 14 nights of boondocking and never started the generator.
Death Valley, eastern Cali, Arizona, and Nevada. Have one 100w solar panel and two deep cycle batteries. Ran heater ever morning, used water pump multiple times a day including showers, and never came close to running batteries down. Didn’t need the air conditioner, which is why I hauled the generator 2300 miles.

[johnnynlin]

Originally Posted by Woody1959

Just came back from 14 nights of boondocking and never started the generator.
Death Valley, eastern Cali, Arizona, and Nevada. Have one 100w solar panel and two deep cycle batteries. Ran heater ever morning, used water pump multiple times a day including showers, and never came close to running batteries down. Didn’t need the air conditioner, which is why I hauled the generator 2300 miles.

Mind sharing your setup? What AH batteries? What about ur fridge, I'm assuming it's propane/12v/120? I just installed 2 6v 235AH GC2 batteries and have 1 50w solar panel on the roof. I also bought a EcoFlow Delta 1300 that has 2 110w panels. I can plug the trailer directly into the 110 outlet on it. I'm hopefully that I can get a few days without having to power on the generator. Biggest draw for me is that I only have a 12v fridge.

[Woody1959]

Originally Posted by johnnynlin

Mind sharing your setup? What AH batteries? What about ur fridge, I'm assuming it's propane/12v/120? I just installed 2 6v 235AH GC2 batteries and have 1 50w solar panel on the roof. I also bought a EcoFlow Delta 1300 that has 2 110w panels. I can plug the trailer directly into the 110 outlet on it. I'm hopefully that I can get a few days without having to power on the generator. Biggest draw for me is that I only have a 12v fridge.

I have two Interstate group 24 deep cycles batteries, one 100w solar panel mounted on the roof. Fridge I run on propane. It’s just my wife and I in a Rpod 179. One morning the percentage of batteries was 69%, but was fully charged by the afternoon. No way could I run the fridge on the batteries.

[johnnynlin]

Originally Posted by Woody1959

I have two Interstate group 24 deep cycles batteries, one 100w solar panel mounted on the roof. Fridge I run on propane. It’s just my wife and I in a Rpod 179. One morning the percentage of batteries was 69%, but was fully charged by the afternoon. No way could I run the fridge on the batteries.

Funny we just upgraded from an RP-182. Boys outgrew the bunks. Thanks for the info. I have the juice pack in our 26dbh-l and 2 235ah 6v. Hoping to get a few days without needing the generator.

[RET.LEO]

Bite the bullet and invest in Lithium.....they're cheaper in the long run.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by RET.LEO

Bite the bullet and invest in Lithium.....they're cheaper in the long run.

Amen

[Woody1959]

Originally Posted by RET.LEO

Bite the bullet and invest in Lithium.....they're cheaper in the long run.

Man at a thousand bucks each that truly is an investment

[kszac]

Originally Posted by doanshop

ON average 10 - 14 hours time for 100% depends on temp and other factors . I ran into same problem installed two 100 amp lithium batteries they charge in 4 -5 hours 90 % .I haven't changed converter out but have one setting in camper waiting for me to install .When I went to lithium it solved a lot of problems I had boon docking . I bought a lithium charger for 40 bucks and finish charging batteries 100% when I get home .Won't have to worry about it once I change converter out . I purchased Voltxcell batteries wanted Battle Born but could get two Voltxcell batteries for little over cost of one Battle Born .Don't know if Voltxcell will last as long as Battle Born but someone has to be test dummy LOL .Have had Voltxcell for two years now no problem with them as always time will tell .Hope this helps .

Glad to hear this works for you. That's exactly what we are trying to accomplish with our residential refrigerator.
Another question...I am getting a lithium battery with a Daly BMS (battery management system) attached. I do not know if my converter is suitable for use with lithium batteries but am wondering if this is a moot point given I will have the BMS? Why are you switching out your converter?

[doanshop]

Originally Posted by kszac

Glad to hear this works for you. That's exactly what we are trying to accomplish with our residential refrigerator.
Another question...I am getting a lithium battery with a Daly BMS (battery management system) attached. I do not know if my converter is suitable for use with lithium batteries but am wondering if this is a moot point given I will have the BMS? Why are you switching out your converter?

The converter you have will work but it will only charge your lithium batteries to 80 - 90 % it doesn't put out 14.8 volts needed to charge lithium 100% it won't hurt your lithium batteries but you won't have 100% capacity . It didn't bother me anyway . Another reason is the stock converter charges batteries up in 6-7 hours 80-90%. the new one should charge them in 4-6 hours to 100% . I get 100% charge with the 40 dollar lithium battery charger I purchased when I hook up to shore power I let it charge over night . By changing out converter batteries get charged quicker and to 100%. Note for two years I have been using converter that came with RV and topping them off with 40 dollar charger . I hope this helps look at Voltxcell you can get two for a little over what one Battle Born will cost they don't have all the bells and whistles Battle Born have but for 1/2 price you can make them work just as good .

[robo44]

Kinda late to this thread, but something I really look forward to 100% figuring out - Someday
Ive spent 7 days (full CA Sun) without moving and never running my generator (only for microwave) in my FR3. my solar kept my lithium's at 100% and never dropped below 80% .
Getting water is not my problem, where I camp. I have a 40 Gallon Fresh Tank and carry 24 gallons in jerry cans that I can fill up as long as there is a spigot. I did not use more that the 64 Gallons in 7 days...

Black tank is 40 gallon and I never came close to fill it, I eventually moved/drained some of my grey tank into my black tank.

My achilleas heal is my grey tank. but I would suspect I could last 2 weeks before I had to dump my tanks. Of course that was camping with my wife. If it was just me probably longer as I would take fewer showers or use my water.

[johnnynlin]

Not to hijack this thread but the WF-8955PEC that is in my FR says it can charge lithium batteries, but bulk charge is only 14.4. I went to WSCO website and they say it charges Lithium but doesn't mention that it only charges them to 90% and not fully. I'm assuming it's only marketing talk, but would be nice if I didn't have to change out the converter.

https://wfcoelectronics.com/lithium-solutions/

[doanshop]

Originally Posted by johnnynlin

Mind sharing your setup? What AH batteries? What about ur fridge, I'm assuming it's propane/12v/120? I just installed 2 6v 235AH GC2 batteries and have 1 50w solar panel on the roof. I also bought a EcoFlow Delta 1300 that has 2 110w panels. I can plug the trailer directly into the 110 outlet on it. I'm hopefully that I can get a few days without having to power on the generator. Biggest draw for me is that I only have a 12v fridge.

FR Salem Hemisphere 299 re with residual refrigerator 2 Voltxcell 100 amp lithium batteries .champion 3400 watt gen with remote start, 1997 K3500 Crew cab 7.4 liter .1500 watt inverter

[doanshop]

Residual fridge eats my power !

[robo44]

Originally Posted by johnnynlin

Not to hijack this thread but the WF-8955PEC that is in my FR says it can charge lithium batteries, but bulk charge is only 14.4. I went to WSCO website and they say it charges Lithium but doesn't mention that it only charges them to 90% and not fully. I'm assuming it's only marketing talk, but would be nice if I didn't have to change out the converter.

https://wfcoelectronics.com/lithium-solutions/

I hear you and agree - - I wanted full capabilities in my Batteries & system. I did choose to purchase a compatible Progressive Dynamics Converter Charger for lithium just for the case you stated. I could get a guarantee of 100% charge with the new unit, I could not get a guarantee from Progressive Dynamics without it. I still have the email (for the $200) is was a no brainer for me. probably a marketing issue, but thats why they sell the multiple versions. I realize not everyone can afford, wants or needs to change.. just me and my thoughts -

[robo44]

Originally Posted by doanshop

Residual fridge eats my power !

The number one reason our rig does not have one- Love'em but they are battery hogs - agreed

[doanshop]

Originally Posted by robo44

Kinda late to this thread, but something I really look forward to 100% figuring out - Someday
Ive spent 7 days (full CA Sun) without moving and never running my generator (only for microwave) in my FR3. my solar kept my lithium's at 100% and never dropped below 80% .
Getting water is not my problem, where I camp. I have a 40 Gallon Fresh Tank and carry 24 gallons in jerry cans that I can fill up as long as there is a spigot. I did not use more that the 64 Gallons in 7 days...

Black tank is 40 gallon and I never came close to fill it, I eventually moved/drained some of my grey tank into my black tank.

My achilleas heal is my grey tank. but I would suspect I could last 2 weeks before I had to dump my tanks. Of course that was camping with my wife. If it was just me probably longer as I would take fewer showers or use my water.

I've been thinking about getting a waste tote and macerator pump to handle black and gray .I would set it in truck bed fill it there then drive to where I can dump it all from back of truck bed someone posted carrier for when it is empty to carry it on back of RV Hope this helps .

[robo44]

Originally Posted by doanshop

I've been thinking about getting a waste tote and macerator pump to handle black and gray .I would set it in truck bed fill it there then drive to where I can dump it all from back of truck bed someone posted carrier for when it is empty to carry it on back of RV Hope this helps .

Great idea - however, wont help me (just yet) Im in a Class A, I do not tow a dinghy so no place to put that full tote of "stuff" but once I do get a tow vehicle, that will be a option i look into (for now)

[doanshop]

Originally Posted by robo44

Kinda late to this thread, but something I really look forward to 100% figuring out - Someday
Ive spent 7 days (full CA Sun) without moving and never running my generator (only for microwave) in my FR3. my solar kept my lithium's at 100% and never dropped below 80% .
Getting water is not my problem, where I camp. I have a 40 Gallon Fresh Tank and carry 24 gallons in jerry cans that I can fill up as long as there is a spigot. I did not use more that the 64 Gallons in 7 days...

Black tank is 40 gallon and I never came close to fill it, I eventually moved/drained some of my grey tank into my black tank.

My achilleas heal is my grey tank. but I would suspect I could last 2 weeks before I had to dump my tanks. Of course that was camping with my wife. If it was just me probably longer as I would take fewer showers or use my water.

I thought about the demand water heater but with the 6 gallon one I limit how long my wife can shower lowering demand of water and filling of grey tank LOL .

[robo44]

Originally Posted by doanshop

I thought about the demand water heater but with the 6 gallon one I limit how long my wife can shower lowering demand of water and filling of grey tank LOL .

For me that lasted one trip - she did not think it was funny when I suggested Navy Showers yada yada.

[doanshop]

Originally Posted by robo44

For me that lasted one trip - she did not think it was funny when I suggested Navy Showers yada yada.

They have no since of humor sometimes !