Hi all,
Trying to figure out which path to take to solve an issue, mainly my batteries do not keep up with the family when boondocking.
We have a Raptor 3812 and primarily boondock, probably 30-40 nights in a year. I have three children and it seems there is always something 12-volt running. Each day there is some deficit and usually after the second night I wake up to the heater inop because not enough juice to run heater fan. This is made worse cause there isn't enough juice to start the generator so it inevitably ends in an early morning jump.
I am not interested in battery conservation- I camp to have a good time and not worry about counting each volt. I want to address the issue by adding capacity.
I researched solar and it seems it will provide too little assistance to be meaningful. So I guess that means I will be running the genny to charge.
So the way I see it I can address this on two fronts, a better (faster) charger and more battery capacity.
Anybody else in a similar situation? How did you address it?
Raptor 3812
F350 Powerstroke 6.7
RZR XP4
Can-Am 1000 Max
More and/or bigger batteries or be more diligent about charging what you have.
All depends on budget and how much you like to hear your generator.
Pairs of 6 volt seem to last the longest. Space and access will dictate choices. Some have as many as 4 pairs of 6 volt batteries, or 4 or more 12 volt. How long do you want to go without charging. What batteries do you have now? Switching to LED lighting can also cut way down on usage. Expensive, but can equal a battery in 12 volt usage. We switched 20 bulbs out to LED, went from over 30 amps per hour with all on to less than 6 plus better light. We only have room for 2 batteries, 2 L16 6 volts, approx 400 amp hours storage, and could go several days without charge. Have since added 225 watts solar. Never need the genny unless we need the aircon.
Steve, Sheri, and Mutley, the italian greyhound
2003 Chevy duramax 4x4
Cyclone 3010
Kawasaki Teryx
I switched to LED a few years back what a difference. I just traded out my two 12 volt for two 6 volts wow I should of did that years ago. I dry camp and the only time I ran the gennny was to microwave some pop corn.
Those heater really drain the batteries. Maybe run the genny and the heater just before bed time shut them both down just before bed? Get some more blankets?
Or get a hole slue of battery banks so you can run you heater all night and not worry about it?
* This post was
edited 01/28/12 11:22am by Dirtclods *
What and how many batteries do you have now? Just one single group 24 battery or a dual 6v system? If you don't have the dual 6v setup that is step one, if you do then consider adding 2 more. You are right about the solar. You might consider buying a Honda/Yamaha 1000 to power things when you don't need your full Onan 5500, it will sip the gas and power the 12v systems, the TV and other basic systems and charge the batteries. It won't power the A/C or Microwave though, but it's very quiet.
If you haven't read The 12volt Side of Life I would encourage you to do it as it does a great job of explaining things and helping you decide what is best for your style of camping.
We have two 6v and boondock exclusively. We charge twice a day with the generator. Usually in the AM during breakfest and at night usually while watching a movie. The heater runs all night no matter what month of the year it is here, probably same for you. The heater fan uses juice no way around that,depending on how cold it got overnight we usually wake up with the batteries in the fair zone on the console, sometimes still in the good but not often. Thats on a full charge before going to bed. It would take some work for us to make room for two more batteries. We have considered Solar to help but will likely wait until we upgrade trailers. We would never be able to make it two nights without running the generator. Over the last two years of camping we probably camp about the same number of nights as you, maybe a little less. I have about 175 hours on my gen.
We use some battery operated lights, we have the insulated roof vent inserts that made a huge difference. We keep the blinds down at night. Anything to save heat at night saves electricity.
2006 GMC 3500 CC 4X4 D/A
2013 Fuzion 342
2011 RZR Desert Tan
2012 Sea Doo GTX 155
2005 GMC 5500 CC 4X4 D/A
2012 Chevy 2500HD 4X4 6.0 3.73
With kids and lack of conservation spelled out upgrade to led light bulb replacements and get at least 450 amp hours of battery. Also need to establish a charging routine to avoid the discharge of batteries below 50% state of charge.
So it sounds like the first thing I need to do is upgrade to 6v and leds... What about changing the charging system? I'm using whatever keysyone shipped with the coach right now. Thanks for the responses so far
I have a 3612 also and have made many mods to get my battery, charging system to where I want it....I have 3 grand-kids and a wife that no nothing about conserving battery...so I went with 4 solar panels and 6..... 6v golf cart batteries along with a 3000 watt inverter charger....the right solar controller and proper wiring sizes are the most important factors....I did mine twice to get it right...you can check out my install on my web site...good luck with your 3612.....
PS...I almost never run my gen set....only if I need the A/C on.....
05 Dodge 3500 Q-Cab,GearVendor 8 Sp,PacBrake,Banks intercooler & intake,TST R49,Transferflow 70 tank,TrailerSaver Hitch,05 Raptor 3612,Second AC, solar 6 battery sys Xantrex 3000, WEB SITE
http://home.earthlink.net/~wbrown02/wildbillwashere22/index.html
1. what is your budget?
2. what type of converter do you have now?
3. how long are your trips?
4. can your generator have an auto start switch added?
squidnapper wrote: So it sounds like the first thing I need to do is upgrade to 6v and leds... What about changing the charging system? I'm using whatever keysyone shipped with the coach right now. Thanks for the responses so far
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