Tag Archives: go green

Planning a Fun and Environmentally Friendly Camping Trip

18 Wednesday Mar 2020

Posted by in Healthy Lifestyle, The Great Outdoors, Tips & Tricks

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Whether you park your RV or pitch a tent, camping is a great way to commune with nature. Even so, all too many campers and outdoor enthusiasts end up damaging the very natural resources they have come to appreciate. If you do not want to repeat their mistakes, you need to build environmental responsibility and care for natural resources into your camping adventures.

Planning an environmentally responsible camping trip is not difficult, nor is it expensive. Here are some simple ways to care for the environment and preserve the natural resources you’ve come to appreciate.

Ditch the Disposables

If you go through the trash cans at the average campground, you will see lots of plastic forks and disposable plates, and all that refuse adds up. If you want to do your part, ditch the disposables and bring your own silverware and plates.

 

You do not have to bring the fine china – just pack in a few reusable plates and enough silverware for the family. Make sure your camping cookware is reusable as well, so you will not have to leave anything behind when you leave.

Check the Rules

Every campground has its own set of rules, and they are generally posted on or near the administrative office. Before you park your RV or pitch your tent, be sure to read and abide by those rules.

From where to park to how to dispose of your garbage, these rules are there for a reason. Abiding by them will make your life, and the lives of your fellow campers, much easier.

Cook the Natural Way

Cooking stoves fueled with propane may be convenient, but they are not the most environmentally responsible options. Instead of packing in the propane, cook the natural way – with firewood.

Wood is easy to gather, easy to use and environmentally friendly. Once your cooking fire is going, you can make your meals, roast marshmallows or just bask in the warm glow.

Stay With Your Fire

Cooking over a wood fire is a smart thing to do, but be sure your fire is out before you leave it. Never leave a campfire unattended, and make sure the heat has dissipated before turning in for the night.

Check the fire, stir the embers and check it again. You can never be too careful when it comes to wildfires, so check and double-check your campfire before you leave the area.

Control Your Pets

Camping with your pet can be a lot of fun, but it is important to be a responsible pet parent. Always keep your pet on a leash, and never allow it to wander unsupervised. Feel free to visit your camping neighbors, but always ask if you can bring your pet along.

Uncontrolled pets can do significant damage to the local wildlife, so know where your animals are when you walk or hike. You can let your pet off-leash if the rules allow, but make sure the animal is under control and will come when called.

Whether you are a first-time camper or an old pro, you want to leave your campsite, and the surrounding environment, as good, or better, than you left it. From picking out what you pack in and dousing your fire the right way to keeping your pet under control and respecting the rules, the steps you take when camping can have a major impact on the natural resources you love so much.

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Mason H. ~ “Across the board – totally professional! Thanks, Coach-Net!”

Solar RVing – Part 2

10 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by in RV Information, Tech Tips

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Solar-RVing-part-2Welcome back to Solar RVing!  Part 1 discussed the benefits of using solar panels on your RV travels.  Part 2 will focus on what it will take to transition into using solar panels in order to harness the free energy shining down from above.

Not all RV solar panels are alike, so it’s important that you get one that can address your energy needs. Here are a few items to consider when choosing the right solar panels:

1.  Know how much power you actually need

You can buy a recording meter/battery monitor to help determine this or you can calculate it yourself.

2.  Calculate the battery bank capacity you’ll need

Your RV batteries should have a total capacity that is four times the amount of your daily power consumption.  And remember that in order to keep your RV batteries running smoothly, you need to make sure that their discharge never goes beyond 25% of their total capacity.

3.  Compute your RV solar panel wattage

Your RV’s solar panel wattage will determine just how much output in watts you will need from your solar panels to keep your RV batteries charging continuously. Take into consideration that your required RV solar panel wattage depends on your location. The sunnier it is, the lower wattage you will need. The cloudier it is, the more wattage you will need. For example, the south typically gets plenty of sunshine; therefore, 1 watt of solar panel output for every 1 amp-hour of battery capacity is recommended. For cloudy areas, 1.5 watts of solar panel output for every 1 amp-hour of battery capacity is recommended.  The amount of sunlight you can harvest using your solar panels will be greatly reduced on cloudy and rainy days.

4.  Check the RV solar panel’s specifications before you buy it

Make sure you pay extra attention to the solar panel’s watt rating, peak power in amps and in volts, and tolerance.

    • The solar panel’s watt rating should correspond to your daily power consumption
    • The peak power in amps measures the total amount of power in amps that your solar panel will produce when there is full sunlight. This specification will come in handy when you are buying a solar charge controller.
    • The peak power in volts gives you the total amount of power in volts that your solar panel will produce when there is full sunlight. This specification is important when determining the efficiency of your solar panel. The higher the number, the more efficient the solar panel is.
    • Tolerance refers to power loss in the solar panel. The lower the percentage of tolerance that panel has, the better its performance is.

There are custom systems that can be professionally installed and less expensive, do-it-yourself solar kits if you’re savvy in this sort of thing. You can increase the efficiency of your RV solar panels by giving thought to the layout of your RV’s interior before you put up your solar panels. When you have a solar panel on your RV, you need to park your rig so that your solar panel tilts to the south. So you won’t waste your harnessed solar energy, it will help if your appliances are situated on the cooler side of your RV where they won’t get a lot of direct sunlight.

Once you install a solar panel on the roof of your rig, the amount of solar energy available for your RV solar panels to harness depends on a number of factors, including whether it’s full sunshine, or if your RV is parked on a shady spot. You’ll need to be able to regulate the voltage output using a solar charge controller. A solar charge controller will help ensure that your solar panels will produce enough power for your needs and also prevent your solar panels from mooching power from your batteries at night when there is no sunlight.

In a few years, solar will be everywhere.  There is emotional satisfaction in having a high degree of energy independence and of knowing we have helped to pave the way to clean, sustainable solar power that can ensure a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.

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Solar RVing – Part 1

03 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by in RV Information

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Solar-RVing-part-1Every time you turn around, there’s more in the news about going green. You have probably even met some fellow RVers out there finding ways to conserve energy and save a few bucks along the way. But what does it really mean? In Part 1 we will explore the many benefits of solar RVing.  And stay tuned for Part 2 as we’ll dive into what it will take to transition into using solar panels on your adventures.

So what are the benefits of solar RVing?

  1. You don’t have to be completely dependent on electric hookups

    Seasoned RVers have probably experienced the frustration of getting a site with an electric hookup that is either faulty, prone to surges, or is not appropriate for your RV. With a solar panel system installed on your RV, you don’t have to worry about electric hookups anymore.  You have the freedom to camp wherever you want, for extended periods, and still be able to enjoy using your electrical appliances.

  2. You don’t have to rely on gas-powered generators

    Generators are potential fire hazards and extremely noisy.  The fumes emitted are very smelly and can be dangerous to inhale. Solar panels are safe, clean and have no moving parts. They work silently and you don’t have to buy expensive fuel to get them running.

  3. Your power supply is free and limitless

    You’ll have to invest in your RV’s solar panel equipment first; however, you can definitely recover your investment within a couple of years, and you can enjoy free energy for years to come.

  4. You don’t have to worry about doing maintenance work on your solar panels

    Solar panels generally require very little maintenance since there are no moving parts. A few times a year, the panels should be inspected for any dirt or debris that may collect on them.

  5. You can earn a 30% tax credit

    Under the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, you can qualify to claim a 30% solar investment tax credit if you have solar panels installed on your RV anytime between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2016.

  6. You can extend the life of your RV’s batteries

    Batteries need to be recharged gradually and must not be allowed to discharge beyond 25% of its capacity. Solar panel systems can provide this gradual recharge.  (Note: After batteries are charged, you may need to convert to a 110 VAC through an inverter to ensure there is enough power to run large appliances.

One of the top reasons we love to RV is the ability to appreciate the beauty of nature in our RV road trips. Using safe and sustainable energy to power our way while traveling is one of the best ways to keep this beauty alive and it gives a bit of self-satisfaction that we have done our share in preserving the environment. Your pocketbook will thank you too!

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