Generator vs Chaining Batteries

[LeonineThor]

Hi ladies,

I am now trying to decide about chaining additinal batteries together to make sure I have enough power when not plugged in. I have a price to modify my compartment and chain 2 additional batteries.....which is not much less than buying a generator....so now I have to decide between the two options.

1. The batteries are 850 cold crank - marine - deep cycle batteries. I would have 3 total batteries.
2. Generator the dealer is recommending is a Yamaha EF2000is.

Either way I will not be able to run the AC - but I also do mountain camping 98% of the time, so that isn't a deal breaker...what I need is the furnace at night!

What I ideally would like to do for a 3 day weekend is:
Have all the basics - lights, water pump, heater at night, roof fans in the day - and all the misc monitoring alarms that draw power. Plus I would like to be able to charge a couple itouch video games, run my hairdryer 1x per day, and watch a movie or two throughout the weekend.

Where/How do I figure out how much power I will need and how much my batteries will provide.

Do you have good/bad advice about generators. I don't really like the idea of dorking around with a generator everyday to make sure my single battery is powered for the night heater requirements unless it is really a huge improvement over chaining.

Thank you!
-Leo

[mitch5252]

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This chart might help you figure out your usage, and then what would serve you best - batteries or a generator. I'm not thinking batteries alone will do the trick for you, but I am not that experienced. Smart(er) people will pipe in...

http://www.erv.us.com/power-usage/

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[Bethers]

Three days, even with three batteries - you'll probably need to charge them at some point. Think about solar if you don't want a generator - it's what I use. And you could get it less expensively, and it's not necessary to get one attached (although I did) - Mitch has just done the portable one. Being with nothing to charge them is just not wise.

[LeonineThor]

See - I knew the salesman was loading me with crap. He was trying to tell me the 1 that comes with it will be just fine! Why he wasn't trying to sell me more is a question for another day. But the service department was very helpful giving me these 2 options. Fortunately I have a month before I actually pick up my camper and have to make this decision. So, off to research I go.

[LeonineThor]

Ok - follow up question. Where/Who do you get to install solar panels. I don't feel comfortable doing this myself. At the end of the day I really want a hassel free arrangement that provides me the power I need.

[mitch5252]

S...I knew the salesman was loading me with crap.

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That's normally what Vickie does with her cooking...

And yes, RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH. I don't know where you'd have solar installed. Beth will know. Hey, Beth - do you run your furnace off your solar? Or do you have one (or more) of those propane heaters?

I chose a "portable" unit to build because 1) I love to do that kind of stuff and 2) I prefer camping in tree covered places (you know - to be able to have the full tick and bug and damp experience ) Hopefully, I will be able to move my panel into the sun in most circumstances (I have yet to use the panel in a real life situation - I just finished it a few weeks ago.) I have a 100W panel and only plan to use it to charge the battery to save on generator usage.

Oh, and reason #3 - I would freak out to have to drill a hole in my trailer roof!! Ugh, gives me shivers thinking about it.
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[Bethers]

Yes, one reason I wanted solar is because when it's cool/cold, I wanted to run the furnace as necessary - and to know that come daytime, the batteries would get recharged.

As to having solar installed - it depends on where you are. I actually purchased my solar stuff then took it to someone to install. I was able to get the same stuff he'd get me at a lower price. Not all people will let you do that. I'd been looking into it quite awhile and then got quotes to install. The difference in prices quoted was astronomical - but again, some places wanted $120 an hour labor - others $60 - duh - do I think any of them deserve $120 an hour? Think not lol If you want to go with a solar panel that you attach to the batteries when you use it - like Mitch, that installation is a lot less expensive and faster to do - but requires a little more work for you when setting up. Make sure if you go solar that you get a good (sinewave) inverter and that you make sure it will control enough of the electrical for you.

You could, if not using much, go three days without charging. BUT - what about if it's cold at night? Or you do use more lights, etc? You'd really be pushing it.

[Liz]

My solar and inverter was installed at the RV place where I have work done. (Tri-Am RV in Ocala, FL). They also set me up to tow my Honda Fit. They've been in business a long time and I've had a lot of work done there before with satisfaction. I wouldn't just take it to any RV place without some research.

[Bethers]

As to places knowing how to install solar - best bets are Arizona, TX, FL, CA - in other words the southern states.

As to rv repair places - we often expect them to know everything about everything on our rv's. Yet in s&b's we have different people for different things. So ask - and make sure they know the answers. Just like the salesperson you spoke with - many will talk the talk, but can't walk the walk. I have a few places that I trust with many things ... one of my fav rv repair places that I've used is so because I called them with a problem and they said to me "We'd be happy to look at that, but have rarely had to work with it - you might be better off letting us give you a referral to someone else for that". Wow ... honesty and not making a situation worse. Believe me I know about making a situation worse - 3 different places that worked on my generator did things that in the end cost me big bucks to correct. The first of the 3 did the worst damage, but none of the others caught it - and guess what - it meant it was partially venting back into my mh. Could have killed me. All were rv service places who claimed to work on generators ... NOT.

[MandysMom]

We had our solar installed by AM Solar of Oregon. They treated us well but it was not cheap. My husband is just not up to roof climbing anymore so I chose AM based on recommends of other RV'ers. Yes they drilled a single hole in roof but in 4 years it has not caused a problem and keeps both AGM sealed batteries charged even partially shaded by our redwood in driveway. I forget but think the panel is 180 watts. I have also heard there are places in AZ and Quartzite for solar install that people are happy with. The RV group IRV2 has many pages on solar to read and learn and find sources.

[retiredhappy]

Yep, more batteries is not the solution. You have to have some way to recharge those batteries. I'm happy with my generator. In the mornings I start it up to use the microwave for breakfast, coffeepot etc. Run it about an 45 min to an hour and the batteries were recharged for the day. Your heater usually runs off propane but the fan runs off battery. Your frig also probably runs off propane when unplugged but the fan also uses your batteries. I had three house batteries in my Class C but only one in my Roadtrek. I've heard that hairdryers are one of the highest draws on your power.

[mitch5252]

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Because I have very thin and short hair, I found a really low wattage hair dryer (for dog). It runs easily off my Honda eu1000i and for me, beats the look of "air dried" hair...

I gave Beth an even smaller one (she has similar hair). Beth, did that thing ever work for you?

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[Bethers]

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Because I have very thin and short hair, I found a really low wattage hair dryer (for dog). It runs easily off my Honda eu1000i and for me, beats the look of "air dried" hair...

I gave Beth an even smaller one (she has similar hair). Beth, did that thing ever work for you?

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Yep, used it a few times when boondocking. Works great when I make an attempt to look half-way decent. But I usually let my hair air dry - or like this morning, wind dry - wow, that gave me a different look!