Boondocking Questions, Tips, Etc.

[Squerly]

I'm getting ready to take a 4-day boondocking trip in my (new to me) RV and among other things, I've been trying to calculate my power consumption needs.

I have about 400 ah of power to use before I need to turn on the generator and recharge, so I built a spreadsheet to track the # of hours each power-gobbling appliance will run. It quickly became clear that I'll have to leave the tanning bed and hot tub at home.

But there are some things that are a must-have, and the refrigerator is one of them. The data on the door says it munches up 300 watts (30 amps) each hour. But that's when it's running, right?

Does anyone have an estimate on average of how many hours a day the average RV refrigerator is actually "running"?

[The Gritz Carlton]

Just got back from 4 days-3 nights boondocking trip at drag races in Atlanta. We also do a 10 day (off and on) boondock at Atlanta Motor Speedway, as well as other short dry-camp excursions. The res fridge will go a tad over 24 hours before the batteries get pulled down. A lot depends on need for A/C, outside temps and how much you will use the fridge (coolers vs fridge). Opening and closing the fridge will keep the compressor running a lot. My advice is plan to run the generator a good bit (once or twice a day for at least a couple hours each) or carry a small portable Honda 2000/2200, Champion 3100/3400 or similar. they run for hours on a gallon of gas. My Champion 3100 ran all night (over 7 hours) on less than a gallon and kept one of the A/C's going. It was cool, RV is insulated well so the A/C didn't run all the time. During the heat of the day we would run house generator for both A/C's but no more than 3-4 hours. Where are you going, how many people and what's the weather gonna be?

[Squerly]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

Where are you going, how many people and what's the weather gonna be?

Just the two of us and our two GSD's. Headed for Standing Indian Campground, which is just up the road a few miles. I expect the temps to be on the cooler side so keeping the coach warm at night will probably more of a problem that keeping it cool during the day.

My spreadsheet tells me the refrigerator and the inverter are going to be the biggest consumers. I didn't realize it until I did the math, but the inverter itself, even in standby mode, is going to eat up 2.5 amps an hour. And that's a BUNCH when calculated over a 24 hour period.

[Long & Winding road]

You mention "400 amp hr". Do you have Lead Acid/ AGM's or Lithium? Is it 400 Amh total or is that cut in half already?

If you have LA/AGM's "400 amp hour" is actually 200 amh (50% max discharge so you dont ruin your battery).

I would assume you would have to run your genny for a few hours every day. Keep a watch on them so you dont discharge too deeply. After your first trip you will have a better Idea on what to expect and how many hours you need to run your genny.

Let us know your results as well.

Have fun!

[Bob Denman]

How long of an extension cord can you pack with you?
Have a great time, and let us know what you learn!

[Oneilkeys]

Just a comment in discharging batteries below 50%. Deep cycle batteries are designed to be able to be discharged below 50% many times (I have read up to 100 times depending on how far down you go). Starting batteries are not designed that way and can be destroyed in less than 10 major discharges (depending again how far down they go). That does not mean that I advocate routinely taking your coach batteries below 50% charge. Every time you do, it weakens then a little. But when I am out boondocking for three or four days or more, I am not uncomfortable with discharging my house batteries down to 30% or so, if I have to.

[Squerly]

Originally Posted by Long & Winding road

You mention "400 amp hr". Do you have Lead Acid/ AGM's or Lithium? Is it 400 Amh total or is that cut in half already?

I have 4-6 volt, 430 ah batteries. So I'm estimating 400 ah as my usable power.

[Beau388]

The typical frig motor will draw about 4 amps @ 120 volts for 1/4 second when starting. If the batteries are low the additional load will kick the inverter off. If the frig's door heater is on or it goes into a defrost cycle, it will drain the batteries much faster. Most modified sign wave inverters have a fixed shutdown of at 11.5 volts. The more expensive one (true sine wave) have a settable voltage shutdown (12.1 to 10.5 volts).

[taylorbob1]

I must have lost something in the translation...
- why not run the refrigerator on propane?

The only time my fridge runs on Inverter is while I’m in-route with the house batteries being charged by the V10.

[The Gritz Carlton]

Just hook it up to a portable and drink beer. Go back there every 6 to 8 hours and pour a few cups of gas in it. Worry free camping and no discharge to batteries at all. You can turn it off a night as the batteries and inverter will go easily for those 6-8 hours with very little discharge.

[The Gritz Carlton]

Originally Posted by taylorbob1

I must have lost something in the translation...
- why not run the refrigerator on propane?

With the "residential fridge"...you don't have the propane option...115V full time or nothing. It draws directly from shore power when connected but from inverter/battery system when not.

[taylorbob1]

Copy that



Now I understand why the big Class A’s talk abt carrying & using a portable Honda 1000 genny when they are boondocking

[Bob Denman]

I agree: it makes me feel as if my small RV Fridge is part of an ingenious plan...

But where do I store the spare propane tank?

[Squerly]

Originally Posted by Beau388

The typical frig motor will draw about 4 amps @ 120 volts for 1/4 second when starting.

I turned everything in the coach OFF and the power consumption is about 2 amps, and that can be attributed to the inverter in standby mode. I then turned the fridge ON and the power consumption jumped up to 24 amps. Perhaps it's in defrost mode? Refrigerator is a Norcold, model #N821.

Originally Posted by taylorbob1

I must have lost something in the translation...
- why not run the refrigerator on propane?

The only time my fridge runs on Inverter is while I’m in-route with the house batteries being charged by the V10.

And I probably will, but I'm also trying to determine what the amp draw is when it's on. But yes, the smart money is on the propane.

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

Just hook it up to a portable and drink beer. Go back there every 6 to 8 hours and pour a few cups of gas in it. Worry free camping and no discharge to batteries at all. You can turn it off a night as the batteries and inverter will go easily for those 6-8 hours with very little discharge.

And the even smarter money is on the portable generator!


Thank you everyone for your input. For the sake of trying to calculate power consumption on this Norcold, does anyone know how many hours per day I can expect it to run?

[taylorbob1]

C’mon
That propane runs forever

But, now I get it
And when/if I trade-up to a 35’ Class A with residential fridge, I’ll know in advance that I’ll need a portable Honda

Probably what Squerly should have so he can boondock in his Windsport

[The Gritz Carlton]

My bet is he's getting a Champion 3100...insider tip!! Wage your bets now!!

[taylorbob1]

I was right (it’s nice to be right...hahaha)

The Norcold 821 runs on 120 volt or Propane

So no portable Honda is needed

[Squerly]

Originally Posted by taylorbob1

I was right (it’s nice to be right...hahaha)

The Norcold 821 runs on 120 volt or Propane

So no portable Honda is needed

lol, but the air conditioner doesn't run on propane!

[The Gritz Carlton]

Portables are great and as an emergency backup, especially if you're heading out in the boondocks. You never know when your generator or inverter may go on the blink. With at least 3100W of portable, I do know I can keep the food from spoiling and keep an A/C running in the interim.

[Bob Denman]

I thought that if the refrigerator quit: you just built a fire, and started cooking.

Oh! you also had beer to drink: before it got too warm!