Dry camping

[bnjlindsey]

Has anyone dry camped using the inverter. I am camping later this month and have never used the inverter. How long can I dry camp and not kill the batteries?

[jpmihalk]

This depends on your model of coach, the inverter supplied and the batteries themselves. I believe in most cases the default arrangements will last for 8 hours and maybe more depending on usage before requiring the generator or another method of recharging the batteries. Others have added batteries and/or solar to extend the inverter power when dry camping without using the generator for long periods.

[bnjlindsey]

Originally Posted by jpmihalk

This depends on your model of coach, the inverter supplied and the batteries themselves. I believe in most cases the default arrangements will last for 8 hours and maybe more depending on usage before requiring the generator or another method of recharging the batteries. Others have added batteries and/or solar to extend the inverter power when dry camping without using the generator for long periods.

Thank you. I have a new 2018 Thor Hurricane. I plan on running the generator before we go to bed to charge it up. Hopefully that will allow us to have the heat on if it get cold. If it is warm enough at night we will just use it for lights and maybe a little tv to watch a movie.

[ComputerChips]

Not sure about the Hurricane but my Thor Ace has a propane furnace. The fan and controls operate on 12vdc, so all you need for heat operation is propane and 12vdc.

[jpmihalk]

The Hurricane has a propane furnace that operates on 12v as well and should last the night unless it gets REAL cold.

[gmc]

Originally Posted by bnjlindsey

Thank you. I have a new 2018 Thor Hurricane. I plan on running the generator before we go to bed to charge it up. Hopefully that will allow us to have the heat on if it get cold. If it is warm enough at night we will just use it for lights and maybe a little tv to watch a movie.

All of your interior lights should be 12v... the furnace is 12v (+ propane)... so only the TV will be running on the inverter (the default is 110v for TVs - I installed a 12v TV and Blu Ray for dry camping/boondocking..)

With that load should be no issue... (assume RV fridge that will be 12v controls and propane for cooling too).

Minus the inverter for TV - I can easily do a 3-4 day weekend on batteries - only starting the genny briefly if microwave or coffee maker is needed.

[bnjlindsey]

Does anyone know if the outside kitchen runs on the batteries or is it also running on propane.

[SuperD]

You don't need the inverter to run the furnace, it uses 12 volts and propane. If you are watching tv yes, you need the inverter for that.

The outside kitchen refrigerator runs on 120 only.

[bnjlindsey]

Originally Posted by SuperD

You don't need the inverter to run the furnace, it uses 12 volts and propane. If you are watching tv yes, you need the inverter for that.

The outside kitchen refrigerator runs on 120 only.

Thank you so much.

[penguin]

Originally Posted by bnjlindsey

Does anyone know if the outside kitchen runs on the batteries or is it also running on propane.

The outside fridge runs off the inverter.

[bnjlindsey]

Originally Posted by penguin

The outside fridge runs off the inverter.

Yes but how long.

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by penguin

The outside fridge runs off the inverter.

I meant to say 120 which would be shore power or the inverter, left off the inverter part. Thank you for the correction!

[penguin]

Originally Posted by bnjlindsey

Yes but how long.

Until the batteries die.

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by bnjlindsey

Yes but how long.

Kinda hard to say, the fridge itself doesn't run continuously, so I guess it would depend on how much is in the fridge and what the outside temp is.

[bnjlindsey]

Originally Posted by SuperD

Kinda hard to say, the fridge itself doesn't run continuously, so I guess it would depend on how much is in the fridge and what the outside temp is.

Okay. Thanks.

[Steve70605]

Please understand what you are asking has many different answers.

First understand that people will say this and that are 12V so doesn't use the inverter. This is correct, however, it still is depleting the battery. If you are not using the generator or shore power then all power comes from the batteries. The inverter takes the 12VDC and converts to 120AC. There is some residual loss in the inverter depending upon the model.

The batteries are rated in amp hours of usage. Depending on how many you have, what you run, quality of battery, care of batteries, etc. will dictate how long they will last.

Generally speaking, manufacturers intend the batteries to carry minimal base night time loads for the coach for about 8 hours (heat, fridge, night lights, etc, - Not Air Conditioning)

Do not run batteries below ~60% charge or you will ruin the plates and reduce the future capacity of the batteries. Generally speaking do no allow loaded voltage to drop less than 11.8 VDC before charging.

There are many resources on the web and forums discussing proper battery maintenance and usage. I would suggest for you to do your own research.

Hope this helps.

[bnjlindsey]

Well first time boon docking was a success. We ran the generator for about an hour each day. Only had the fridge running. Generator only used about an 1/8 of a tank of gas. Only issue was a spot that wasn't very level but we managed.

[Oneilkeys]

Originally Posted by bnjlindsey

Well first time boon docking was a success. We ran the generator for about an hour each day. Only had the fridge running. Generator only used about an 1/8 of a tank of gas. Only issue was a spot that wasn't very level but we managed.

Good for you. I have dry camped in Denali NP in Alaska for a week at a time without being able to move the RV and only had to run my Axis for an hour every day to keep the batteries up. The second year, I bought a small solar panel which also helped some. Boon docking and dry camping in National Forest sites opens up a whole new realm of possibilities.