Boondocking Power Options

06 Wednesday Oct 2021

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boondocking safety, RV Boondocking, RV Camping, RV Tips, RV travel, Solar Electric Power System, solar RVing

Boondocking is a great way to save money while traveling. It can be fun and make your trip feel more like camping when you stay in a disbursed camping area for several days without the creature comforts of an RV park. Unfortunately, that means doing without a power hookup as well. There are several boondocking power options available to RVers. The trick is choosing the one(s) that fit your power needs and budget.

Gas/Propane Generator

Probably the most widely used power option for RVers is a gas or propane-powered generator. Motorhomes and Class Cs come with them built into the RV, and there are plenty of ways they can be carried with you or mounted on the back of fifth wheels and travel trailers.

Simply put, a fossil-fuel-powered generator, whether the fuel is gasoline, diesel, or propane, works by burning a fuel to spin a magnetic AC generator. This is similar to how the alternator in your car works.

Traditional Generator

A traditional generator sends the AC it generates directly to the outlets. The power may go through a voltage regulator of some kind, but you are generating AC power and using it for the most part. Unfortunately, some generators produce rather dirty power this way. What do I mean by dirty power?

AC power is called alternating current. Instead of flowing in one direction like direct current (DC), it alternates back and forth. Think of it like generating heat by rubbing your hands back and forth. When power comes out of your wall at home, it smoothly flows back and forth at the same rate, or frequency, all of the time. On a graph, this looks like a nice smooth sine wave.

Because a generator must rev up and down to maintain a constant voltage, it may not look as smooth. It might look jittery. This is called harmonic distortion. Traditional generators can have a lot of it. That doesn’t make them bad. Many modern generators have safeties built-in. If you need raw power to fire up your RV air conditioner several hours a day while boondocking, you will need a powerful generator to run it.

Pros

Many price points and sizes to choose from
Easy to keep running by adding more fuel

Cons

Depending on the size, they are quite heavy.
Trailer owners may have to get a mount built for it.
Cheaper ones tend to produce dirtier power, which isn’t necessarily good for electronics like computers.

Inverter Generator

Inverter generators are quieter than traditional gas-powered generators. They work by adding a few steps to the process of getting power. Power is produced the same way as a traditional generator and then sent through a rectifier to convert the AC power to DC. An onboard computer chip sends the power through an inverter (hence the name) to clean up the power and turn it back into AC.

Pros

They are smaller and lighter than most traditional generators.
They tend to be quieter.
They produce power with less distortion, which is better for electronics.

Cons

They are typically more expensive when you compare total power output.
They don’t typically produce as much power, so without additions like a SoftStartRV, they may not run a larger air conditioner that well.

Solar Power

Solar power is an excellent addition to any RVer’s boondocking power solution. As you probably already know, solar panels convert sunlight into electricity to charge your RV batteries. But there are a lot of other parts that go into making a solar system work too, and finding the right setup for you and your needs can be confusing and costly.

Fortunately, there are many articles and calculators online that can help you determine what size of solar system you need.

Many who install solar on their rig also opt for lithium batteries because they work very well with solar, require little to no maintenance, and can be placed anywhere because they don’t have to be vented like lead-acid batteries.

Pros

Eco-friendly
Low Maintenance
Free Power
Silent
Always charging your batteries when the sun is out

Cons

They can be costly.
Unless you have a very expensive and hefty system, you aren’t going to be running your air conditioner with solar.
Many RVers will have to get the system wired up if their rig isn’t prewired (not plug and play).
They aren’t very useful when you aren’t using your RV.

Portable Solar Generator System

A portable solar generator system combines a new addition to the power market, portable power stations, and solar panels. Though they haven’t quite gotten there yet, they aim to replace gas-powered generators eventually.

What is a portable power station?

Several companies like Jackery, Goal Zero, Bluetti, and Ecoflow produce portable power stations, and they all come in different sizes. They are all the same type of device, though. A lithium battery pack, an inverter, and a solar charge controller are all wrapped in a portable box with various output plugs. The power station can usually be charged three ways, a wall outlet or gas generator, a carport, and solar panels.

Using solar panels with a portable power station makes it a solar generator, especially if the power station supports pass-through charging (you can use it while it’s charging up). Some larger power stations can run just about everything on an RV, including a 1000W microwave.

Why get a portable solar generator over installing solar on an RV?

Using this type of system for solar power has a few advantages over installing a solar system on your RV. They are typically cheaper when you consider they have every component needed for solar charging, and you don’t have to pay to get them installed on your RV. They are also portable so that you can use them for power around your campsite or in your home as an emergency backup power source.

Pros

Eco-friendly
Low Maintenance
Free Power
Almost Silent
Portable Power
Useful when not RVing
May be less expensive than installing a solar system on your RV

Cons

Some of the larger units will run an RV air conditioner, but probably not for long periods.
Though they are technically a generator, it still takes time to charge them up with the sun.
The solar panels made for many of these units are portable and less durable than roof-mounted solar panels.
They require a bit more daily setup than a built-in RV solar system (power station and solar panels must be taken outside and set up to charge).

Which Power Option Should I Get?

There is no best option for every RVer out there. I can speak from personal experience and say that my motorhome has a generator built-in, but I also have a Jackery Explorer 1500 Solar Generator setup. When I need to run my air conditioner while boondocking, I use the generator and charge up the Explorer 1500 while it’s running. I charge the Explorer 1500 up with solar and run almost everything else like laptops, a microwave, TV, fan, etc. when I don’t need to run the AC.

If you only boondock a few times a year, you probably only need one power option. In contrast, those who spend much of their RV time without hookups will probably want the benefits of having a gas-powered generator and a solar option to cover all of their needs. It’s always better to have more options than you need in an emergency.

About The Author: Levi Henley

Levi Henley and his wife, Natalie, have been full-time RVers for over 5 years. They have also been Coach-Net customers for the same amount of time. They travel and workcamp around the U.S. in their 26-foot Itasca Sunstar motorhome with their two cats. They write for multiple RV-related publications and recently co-wrote “Seasonal Workamping for a Living: How We Did It.” You can follow their adventures on the road at henleyshappytrails.com

Laura H. ~ “We got the help we needed on a holiday to get us where we needed to go. Not sure we could have received this service from a regular auto club. Thank you Coach-Net.”

Let The Sunshine In!

09 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by Coach-Net in RV Information

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RV, RV Solar Panels, Solar Charging, Solar Electric Power System, solar RVing, Solar System

As the RV industry continues to grow, so does the drive for renewable power. Using solar power to charge your batteries provides you the freedom to go to more out of the way places such as the beach, mountains, and many other beautiful locations that are “off the grid”. Even in the winter months, RVers are heading South to places like Quartsite, AZ where there are no hookups, several beaches such as the Padre Islands and many others. For those that like cold weather activities like cross country skiing, kite sailing and ice fishing, the RV acts as a very warm and cozy Chalet!

Why Solar?

The 12-volt deep cycle house batteries are used to power the interior lights, vents, and run the appliances that use propane. Using an inverter can also provide 120-volt power for the TV or larger ones will run outlets for the refrigerator. So technically you can run just about everything except the roof air conditioner using the house batteries rather than being plugged into 120-volt power. However, these batteries need to be recharged either with a converter plugged into 120-volt power such as shoreline connection or generator, or alternative source such as the sun with solar panels. Using solar panels provides a quiet, convenient recharge rather than a noisy generator which sometimes can not be run in certain areas at night. It also save money and is a safe renewable energy. It provides a great back up in case of emergency when power goes out at a campground and extends battery life by reducing sulfation due to low batteries.

How Solar Charging Works

Solar charging and battery power is very similar to a fuel system in a car with the house batteries in your RV being the fuel tank. These deep cycle batteries are simply storage containers for energy that are drained and need to be refilled. They are rated in amp hours just like gallons of fuel in a fuel tank. The higher the amp hour rating, the more energy being stored and the longer you can use 12-volt systems without needing to recharge the batteries.

The solar panel provides the fuel to the batteries just like the fuel pump at a gas station. The energy or fuel is delivered through wires to a controller which is similar to a fuel station shut off valve. This prevents the solar panel from overfilling, or overcharging the batteries. With the batteries fully charged, energy is sent to the “engine” which is the distribution center or an inverter and this runs the 12-volt functions of your RV.

Solar Panel Overview

Solar panels use silicon wafers called cells to capture light from the sun and convert it to Direct Current (DC) electricity. A single panel will have several cells that will capture the sunlight and provide DC current to the controller. The controller adjusts the voltage being sent to the batteries so they can not be overcharged or boiled. Wires from the controller can go directly to the battery or batteries, or be connected to the converter or inverter if applicable. The converter is the battery charger that is either part of your distribution center as an all-in-one unit, or as a separate box which come manufacturers place under kitchen cabinetry or in the basement due to the noise of the cooling fan. An inverter is a device that will take 12-volt DC power and provide 120-volt AC power for the refrigerator and other appliances. Larger models will do a variety of appliances, however most do not have enough power for the Roof AC. This larger inverter also has a multi-stage charger to charge the batteries when connected to shoreline power or running the generator.

What Size Solar System Do You Need?

Most solar panel companies have a calculator that can help determine the size and amount of solar panels you will need. It starts with determining how much power you need to run the 12-volt systems in your rig such as lights, roof vents, water pump etc. Then identify the 120-volt appliances you will need to power through the inverter. Combine them and next determine how many hours per day you will be using them. Individual panels start as small as 30 watts and go up to 170 watts. Small trailers with one 12-volt house battery and no inverter can get by with one 80-100 watt panel for a weekend while a larger 5^th wheel or motorhome with a large battery bank and inverter will need approximately two 170 watt panels for a weekend and up to 840-960 total watts for an extended trip which would require several panels.

For a sizing chart customized to your rig, visit Go Power Solar Systems.

You can download a sizing chart here.

So whatever your idea of winter activity is, solar power is an economical and environmentally friendly way to power your rig!

About the author: Dave Solberg: Managing Editor, RV Repair Club

For the last 25 years, Dave has conducted RV maintenance and safety seminars, developed dealer and owner training programs, written RV safety and handyman articles, authored an RV handbook reference guide and logged over 100,000 miles on the road in an RV.

RV Repair Club is your go-to online resource for enthusiasts who want quality RV maintenance, repair, and upgrade information – a community where passionate RVers can come together to gather knowledge and share their experiences.

Learn more about RV Repair Club.

Robert E. ~ “I called in pretty late and didn’t think I’d get assistance with my slide out. I spoke with Mary and she helped me solve the problem I was having. She was real knowledgeable and walked me through a few steps and had my slide out going back in. Thanks for the help at a crazy hour!”

Solar RVing – Part 2

10 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by Coach-Net in RV Information, Tech Tips

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

go green, green RVing, RV Life, RV travel, solar RVing

Welcome 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.

Solar RVing – Part 1

03 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by Coach-Net in RV Information

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

go green, green RVing, RV travel, solar RVing

Every 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?

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!

Coach-Net

~ Travel and Adventure Blog

Tag Archives: solar RVing