Prepared boondocking

[lwbfl]

My camper doesn't have gas, battery or water storage.  

I have a small power inverter (800W/1600 Peak), a gas powered battery charger, and a gas generator.  My fridge uses 85W (170 start?).  I'd like to keep meats cold in the fridge, have one box fan and one lamp.  If I were to install one marine/deep cycle battery, about how long would it take for just the fridge to drain the battery enough that I would need to charge it?  Do you think I could use the fan and fridge through the night?  I have a window unit for an A/C and don't plan to use it but wonder how it compares to the roof mounted units and how long they can be run on the battery in those units.

What is the best method for pressurizing the water tank?  Which is the best pump?  

Thanks in advance for all your opinions and suggestions!

[brainpause]

First, 120 volt items can't be run on deep cycle batteries, unless you have a power INverter (not CONverter). And it takes a lot of power to run 120 volt items off a battery. Forget running an air conditioner on a deep cycle battery with a great big Inverter. You'll kill a battery in a few seconds.

The battery is designed to run things that are relatively low draw, or medium draw for short periods. Thus, a 12V light would run for a while on a battery. The fridge would draw a battery down pretty quickly, as I understand it, maybe just a few hours. We don't have a 3 way fridge, but it seems like from my reading that people have gotten good luck out of using propane for the fridge, when dry camping. It uses about as much as a pilot light and no more.

Most of the Air Units need a 3000W generator to run, but I think I've heard of some getting by with a 2000W unit, if the unit is small. However, on air conditioner startup, that can kill the motor on the generator.

Others will soon jump in. Welcome to PUT!

Larry

[Tim5055]

My camper doesn't have gas, battery or water storage.  

I have a small power inverter (800W/1600 Peak), a gas powered battery charger, and a gas generator.  My fridge uses 85W (170 start?).  I'd like to keep meats cold in the fridge, have one box fan and one lamp.  If I were to install one marine/deep cycle battery, about how long would it take for just the fridge to drain the battery enough that I would need to charge it?  Do you think I could use the fan and fridge through the night?  I have a window unit for an A/C and don't plan to use it but wonder how it compares to the roof mounted units and how long they can be run on the battery in those units.

What is the best method for pressurizing the water tank?  Which is the best pump?  

Thanks in advance for all your opinions and suggestions!

The first thing to decide is what size battery you would add.  Deep cycle batteries come in many sizes, i.e. Group 24, Group 27, Group 31; each with different storage capacities.  Without doing the math, I would guess that the battery would only last a few hours at most powering the refrigerator through an inverter.

"Do you think I could use the fan and fridge through the night?"

My gut feeling is no.

"I have a window unit for an A/C and don't plan to use it but wonder how it compares to the roof mounted units and how long they can be run on the battery in those units."

Roof AC is not designed to run from the batteries, only when connected to shore power.  If you are thinking about installing a roof AC, check to see that the roof will support the weight.  Many older pop ups were not designed to support the weight of the AC on the roof.

"What is the best method for pressurizing the water tank?  Which is the best pump?"

The pump does not actually pressurize the water tank; it draws (sucks) water out of the tank and pressurizes the water lines only.  The SureFlo WhisperKing gets great reviews.

[AustinBoston]

I have a small power inverter (800W/1600 Peak), a gas powered battery charger, and a gas generator.  My fridge uses 85W (170 start?).

The life of any battery you put into that situation would be measured in hours.  A small one might last up to two hours, a large setup (two golf cart batteries) might last 4-5 hours.

CORRECTION:
I confused watts with amps...the real battery life would run from 8-48 hours.

You really need propane for active refrigeration when dry camping.  An alternative would be a Coleman Extreme cooler or the igloo equivalent.  If everything is pre-chilled and it's kept out of the sun, we've had ours last 5 days on a single load of ice at an average of 85F.

Austin

[lwbfl]

Thanks for the info guys.  Looks like I need to use ice chest and wait for cooler weather for boondocking.  My fridge is not 3 way, 120V only.  I have run if off the inverter for a few hours using power the TV while towing.

I don't have a water tank yet, and I'm looking for suggestions as to what type tank to use and info on pressurizing the tank for use.

[AustinBoston]

See my correction above...probably still not adequate for your needs.

Austin

[lwbfl]

I have decided to wait and see just how much boondocking I'll be doing before adding batteries or LP.  For now, I'll take the generator to use when needed to heat water, and use a battery operated shower.  I don't see the point in adding a battery for just a pump, although I may add a home type water tank with a air valve at a later date.  

On a side note, my In-Laws used thier roof A/C (TT) w/o hooking up last weekend, do they make them that run on LP?

[brainpause]

On a side note, my In-Laws used thier roof A/C (TT) w/o hooking up last weekend, do they make them that run on LP?

No, they don't make them. They must have had hookups or a generator to run air conditioning. Understand that air conditioning is a LARGE draw item, especially on startup. You can't run AC without hookups or a nice generator (usually 3000 watts, but I have heard of some AC's running on 2000W).

Larry

[lwbfl]

No, they don't make them. They must have had hookups or a generator to run air conditioning. Understand that air conditioning is a LARGE draw item, especially on startup. You can't run AC without hookups or a nice generator (usually 3000 watts, but I have heard of some AC's running on 2000W).

Larry

Hmmmmm, maybe they just had the fan on?  They don't have a generator (they borrow one of mine the bums!).  I'll have to investigate this when they return with the TT.

[CUL8R]

You need to simplify with your setup.  All you need is a 2 burner propane camping stove (runs off disposable propane cylinders), a good cooler, and several 7gal water jugs (with spigots).   Throw in a propane lantern (same fuel source as stove) or battery powered LED lantern and you're "good to go".  As always, a good LED head lamp is invaluable for reading, seeing whats outside, finding your way to the john, etc.  Don't forget extra propane cylinders.  There are also small catalytic propane heaters you can use in cold weather that use the same cylinders.  All these things are inexpensive and available at Walmart, etc.
If in bear country, never keep your cooler in the camper.  Lock it in the TV with your food box.

Jim

[lwbfl]

You need to simplify with your setup.  All you need is a 2 burner propane camping stove (runs off disposable propane cylinders), a good cooler, and several 7gal water jugs (with spigots).   Throw in a propane lantern (same fuel source as stove) or battery powered LED lantern and you're "good to go".  As always, a good LED head lamp is invaluable for reading, seeing whats outside, finding your way to the john, etc.  Don't forget extra propane cylinders.  There are also small catalytic propane heaters you can use in cold weather that use the same cylinders.  All these things are inexpensive and available at Walmart, etc.
If in bear country, never keep your cooler in the camper.  Lock it in the TV with your food box.

Jim

You know, your are right.  I forget about those disposable cylinders as we don't use anything w/propane around here.  (I'm a charcoal kinda guy.)  We have a few bears around here, small black bears (200 - 300 lbs, thats small right?) but they usually aren't a problem.

I'll start another post asking for suggestions on burners and heaters using the small bottles.