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FOR A RIG LIKE THAT YOU NEED: A KILO WATT OF SOLAR TEN KILO WATTS OF BATTERIES AND A DC ISOLATOR FOR ENERGY FROM YOUR TRUCK ALTERNATOR AN ESBAR HEATER TO USE GAS OR DIESELF FOR HEATING.. A BUNCH OF ACCESSORY ITEMS SUCH AS CHARGE CONTROLLERS, MONITORS, DISCONNECT SWITCHES AND FUSES. TOTAL COST MAYBE 5 TO TEN GRAND.......... THE BENEFITS BEING YOU'RE NO LONGER STUCK WITH OR SLAVES TO RV PARKS, TRAILER PARKS, ETC....... IF YOU CAN'T DO THAT, THEN YOU KIDS ARE JUST NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME, SO GO BACK TO YOU MOMMIES, AND START ALL OVER, ETC. ETC.
AND ANOTHER THING: THE CHARLES TROLL RUTHLESSLY ATTACKED ME AND THEN RAN AWAY, SO HERE ARE SOME MORE THOUGHTS: 1. YOU HAVE A FANTASTIC, BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL WIFE 2. THE TRAILER AND TRUCK ARE ALSO GREAT. 3. YOU'RE JUST CLUELESS ABOUT SOLAR AND POWER. 4. ALL YOU NEED IS WHAT I RECOMMENDED AND THEN........... 5. YOU'LL BE IN WONDER LAND.......BEAUTIFUL NATURE SITES, WITHOUT THE CRAPPY RV PARKS, ALL THE POWER YOU'LL NEED, LOTS OF MONEY SAVED....ETC. ETC... 6. I'M TELLING YOU KIDS...........DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME LISTENING TO TROLLS LIKE CHARLES........I'VE BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT...I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT
Love this video! ❤ We think 2 lithium batteries will suit you fine. We have a much smaller rig & have two 12 volt batteries & some solar. We highly recommend solar, bcuz "ya nevuh knoe" when something is going to go wrong with your battery situation. Solar came with our trailer to run the frig. Very cool. 😎 We also have a separate portable solar generator for small appliances. Also cool. Only thing... & just for fun... someone please make Carl some coffee!😉❤😊 Luv & hugs. Can't wait for the next video!
@@cksmith705 WHEN YOU SAY 2 12 VOLT BATTERIES, THAT COULD BE ANYTHING.........100 AMP, 200, 300, ETC... 2 100 AMP BATTERIES WOULD BE TO SMALL, 2 300 AMP BATTERIES FOR A RIG LIKE THAT COULD BE A START AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE LITHIUM PHOSPHATE.......
I could go on for hours about lithium. Not only as a guy that installs them, but uses one for dry camping. You only need one and it will change your life. My simple set up is 50 amp hours of lithium, 300 watts of solar, and a 700 watt inverter. Also set it up to charge off of the alternator. I never ever worry about running out of battery. The big difference is I don’t need to run the AC or a resi fridge. My only limitation at this point is tank capacity.
You are right! Under ideal circumstances you can get by with one Lead battery for a couple of nights. Why do you think they call it camping. But that means no A/C, no furnace, no microwave, no TV. You can always make coffee with propane and a French press. I just use tea bag style coffee singles. For me it would be the internet/computer or TV but when you are hanging with the hanks around the campfire you don't need those either. Today many if not most RVs have 12V compressor refrigerators. These don't do well when the voltage of a lead acid starts to droop so Lithium is almost required and at least 150W of solar to keep it going. Don't forget cloudy days means no charge or at least very little charge. Lithium also needs a compatible12V converter to get the 14.4 volts needed to charge them and if you put in big battery bank you will need a 12V to 12V charger to keep from smoking the tow vehicle alternator and properly charge your batteries. Don't try to add just a Lithium battery as a direct replacement for your Lead. You won't be happy with it. Also Lithium must not be charged if the battery drops below 32 degrees. High end batteries protect against that but some of the cheaper ones on Amazon do not but who wants to camp below 32 deg anyway? So do your homework don't just run out and buy a Lithium battery. Did we talk about 115V inverters yet? Another time.
We've boon docked for years, about 70% of the time. I am amazed you made it on one L.A. battery. We started with one, but quickly moved to 2-6v golf carts. Big game changer. We are low power users so this worked for us on our 2-4 day trips. I then added a 100W solar panel which is now 2-100W panels. With LIPO4 batteries dropping in price like they have we recently added 2-12v LIPO4's (Chins) . We have also added a 600W inverter to charge a laptop & iPad. Added a small inverter generator as a 'just in case'. We rarely use it though. We now boondock for up to 2 weeks at a time without any worries. Weather is of no concern. We did it a step at a time as needed. Under $1k all in. Others are in $8-$15k.
Here is just a quick fact ney ney and carl!! Semi trucks run 4 heavy duty batteries wired in parallel, you could get away with 2 or 3 if you wanted especially if they are lithium ion, but I suggest getting heavy duty ones if solly allows it in the battery holder.
Personally, boondocking on the beach is like a form of torture that is self-inflected. The sand will never completely get out of your truck and RV, you can almost watch the corrosion occur on small metal items ... but hey some people hate the mountains or state parks or cute squirrels :-)
Fun video. I think Dexter wanted to play in the sand :) Technically you have 2 batteries . One in the 5th wheel & one in the truck which you used as a generator to recharge your house battery ...
We Boondock two weeks a year. We have a generator that we use every couple of days to top up our batteries. Regular batteries and bring extra water and we do it.
We have had excellent luck with a 120 watt suitcase solar panel which includes a charge controller. A;so use a 30 ft connection cable. This combo let’s you find the sun even when camping in the trees. The suitcase panel can be angled directly at the sun making it far more efficient than flat panels on the roof.
Long story short... Moved to Texas from Colorado, lived in the camper for a couple of months to find a house and sell our Colorado home. While the camper was in storage it got broken into, they stole everything that was not "nailed down". So while the camper was in for repair it got stolen from the shop. Ugh... Paid for and all set up the way we liked it. 200W solar panel from Amazon, 200AH AGM battery, 1500Watt inverter. Coffee in the morning, Microwave, TV and never went below the 50% mark on the battery. Soooo now we have a larger camper with the same setup minus the Victron name and went with GoPower. Still have coffee, microwave, TV and 12V fridge that is awesome!! We have a generator for just in case we need to run the AC or long stretches of no sun. Might get another AGM battery for 400AH (200AH usable) but for now we are set up nice. I did the calculations on all the appliances and things we use and a fully charged battery gets us 20ish hours on the TV, an hourish on the microwave, plenty of power to run the single serve Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker for each of us to get a cup of coffee, days of running the fridge (that can be run in all states even while filling up for gas!!) and heat at night. On a test day using everything conservatively we got down to 78% and by the evening it was back to 100%. So I guess it wasn't so short, but for $330 you can get the 200W and a GoPower solar regulator to getcha goin.
If you decide to go with lithium batteries make sure that your converter is compatible with lithium batteries. Some newer ones have a switch to change it to lithium. If not you will need a new converter. lithium batteries have different charge voltage and current requirements than lead acid. We dry camp most of the time. Our trailer has a pair of 6v golf cart batteries and a small 175 watt solar system. We don't have an inverter. I carry a 2000 watt generator to recharge the batteries if it is cloudy or we are parked in the trees. We can do a 5 day trip even running the furnace at night. Water is our limiting factor. I carry two 5 gallon jugs of water to top off the tank. The next trailer is going to have more than a 40 gallon fresh water tank.
FWIW, the first thing we bought for our trailer was a 3500 watt generator. You may want to consider a larger one- 4500w or 5000w, even. Cheaper than lithium batteries.
I stayed in Surfside Beach there in Texas but we chose the very sandy and funky rv park with the bar n grill on stilts overlooking the gulf. And full hokem ups. Yea I know, we're wimps but it was 110* outside.
I almost, ALMOST always let the ads run full through for you guys to help generate a little more UA-cam income. I absolutely let every single ad run through this episode for you guys to help generate the income you need to invest in a solar charging system, inverter and lithium batteries. 😊
My family and I are weekend warriors, not full timers, but I’ve found 200W of solar and 2 sealed lead acid batteries work just fine for at least a few days. Plus it doubles as a battery tender when we are not using the trailer. Love the videos guys!!
Renee, if you like the French press your love a pour over. I have a silicon camping collapsible pour-over and you just buy the filters for it. I guarantee you will love it. I also think it is easier to clean up. Also, that 5 second rule on the beach is hard to get away with.
People have been boondocking for along time with just one FLA battery. But as you noticed, you need to be somewhat miserly and give up on some things. Since more and more folks are wanting the glamping experience, the need for power has increased. There are a lot of options all depending on money and "needs".
my two fav tips were the fire pit tunnel and the torch to light it! A solar generator might be a cheaper short term solution, but it is really all about how comfy you can be with less!
Ney Ney must have watched the same video I did on the Dakota fire. Nice to see how it worked for you guys. All I can say is you folks must have never backpacked. I kept looking for the battery lanterns and LED flashlights on their bottoms for reflective lighting. Amazing how bright they are. Good to know that there wasn't enough juice to keep the refrigerator running effectively. George is outside on the balcony soaking up the last rays of a very nice day (before it snows tomorrow). Give Dexter a scratch for me.
Oil, and season, in a big bowl, then stir heartily, and only then do you let those beloved veggies taste the flat side of a hot surface. Trying to add seasonings once they are on a flat top only serves to accomplish two things, unequal flavors from bite to bite, and burned specs that become char on your food. :)
Something to think about is a single solar panel with a trickle charger would have kept you on full all weekend while conserving like you were. Only need the full package if you do the extremes like you mentioned.
We boondock year round with one deep cycle battery and the alternator in my ford is100 amp. And recharging is a snap. We do have a100 watt solar panel (suitcase. ) never used it yet. and a 1000 watt converter ❤
Growing up in Texas, I have gone to Surfside many times as a child. It is a fabulous beach. My parents had a van and one time even rented a pop-up. Looking over the beach there brings back a lot of great memories.
Hey Carl & Ney Ney! I just finished watching all of your episodes a few days ago! Y'all make some great content. Way to persevere through the hard times! On the first trip with our first RV, we learned if you leave your awning out during a storm to make sure it's slanted. Our awning snapped and slammed against the RV so hard it shattered some windows and rocked the RV so violently it almost threw the kids off the top bunk. We've also had our bike rack snap on us, and we dragged the bikes for a few miles before someone flagged us down. Most of my families greatest memories are from RVing. It's always an adventure. You never know what to expect... like when your mom makes reservations for your church group, and when you arrive, you find out it's a nudist colony 😆😅🤣
Maybe try and put covers over your wheels like when you are winterizing your trailer. That’s how I start a fire. LOL!! What a beautiful view to wake up to every morning!! You can get a small solar panel that just sits on the ground and hooks up to your battery. For the amount of camping we do that’s what we have. Works good. We do have two batteries 12volt. Great video, thanks Hanks!
Did Dexter become a sticky salty feline? This part of Texas is so humid any way! Kudos to the two of you for boondocking on the beach. The ocean views are fantastic!! The two of you are my favorite RV channel! Love you guys!
You asked some very interesting questions and brought so good information. I've always thought about some solar just to maintain and an inverter generator as a back up for just incase. Yall be safe
I live off grid, not in and RV but a small cabin(smaller than your RV). I use small solar power banks like the Jackery. It’s cheaper and can get you through in a pinch. Just an option for a few days of boondocking!
A few thoughts on upgrading your power... 1. You can go over 24 hours on your current battery, so I wouldn't be in a huge hurry to upgrade it. If you need a bit more reserve power, add another of the same battery in parallel to your existing battery. If you do decide to go with lithium, make sure your power converter (the charger) can handle lithium. 2. For casual boondocking, I recommend a portable generator; the real gas powered kind. (Those "silent generators" are just a battery with an inverter.) 2000 Watts is a good compromise between power and portability. You want to have enough power to run one major thing at a time, like the microwave. Personally, I like the Honda EU2000i inverter generator. Small and light enough to easily stow away, but can still reheat that cuppa Joe. (The Harbor Freight equivalent is quite a bit cheaper. It's also a bit heavier and a bit louder. Long term durability is questionable; some last a lot longer than others. Plus, every small engine shop in the country can fix a Honda engine.) 2a. If you use an inverter generator, enable "eco mode" or its equivalent. Then, when the batteries are charged, the generator will drop to an idle, which will tell you it's OK to shut off the generator. (Plus, it saves fuel.) 3. Solar is great. And expensive. However, you're limited to how many panels you can fit on your roof, and they don't work very well in the shade. Or at night, for that matter. While you won't get enough power to run your A/C, it can keep your refrigerator running, and probably supply enough power for a propane furnace.
It is so much fun to get off the grid. We did some boondocking in SD - Badlands and WOW! Amazing. But absolutely agree, you must check the weather PRIOR so you get a sense of the types of temperatures your going to deal with. The furnace, although propane, eats up batteries due to the fan. Stunning location you had.
Solar setup for one person and dog, working remote (one phone, tablet, laptop, and tv): 2 panels (190 and 120 watts), 2 batteries (lion ... 100 amp hours each), 1 charge controller (30 amp), 1 inverster (2400 watts), and 1/0 or 2/0 batter cables with 125, 150, or 240 amp breaker on the red cable (+)
Might be hard to believe, but up until like five minutes ago, no RVer had more than an old school lead acid battery or two and nothing more. On top of that, my parents had a non-widebody, non-slide, gas-powered class A that we traveled in as a family of four for years, and we dry-camped in that many times. Somehow, we all survived.
Just a comment on the battery monitor on the panel. By the time you are down to 3 lights you are already below 50% state of charge and damaging the lead acid batteries. I have an electronic engineering degree and a Reflection 303. We settled on 400 ah of battery and 800w of solar for basic needs; TV, electric blanket, furnace, lights, toaster, blender and possibly microwave all from a 2,000w inverter. Last winter in AZ we almost never ran the generator. Forget running the AC or electric heater on battery. Even massive systems will have limited run time.
Hit a home run on the camping spot. What type of camping r u going to do. Start cheap, start with a inverter generator. If your pre wired for for solar and have a plug in on the front of the rv get a solar brief case that has a built in charger with at least 5 charging profiles lithium being one of them. Brief case allows ability to charge when you have the rv under trees. Be careful here and make sure you match amps at the plug in and the the brief case charger., it could b 15 amp or 20 amps. I went big here and bought a Zamp 240 watt brief case, I’m extremely happy with it. Good luck on your decision, do your research
I took almost 5 years for me to get a generator. But the freeze in Texas was a big push for me. I got a Bluetti AC 200 Max. 2046 wh. Then added a 350 solar charger for it. I will continue to add to it if i find i need it. Love it and have only had to use it once.
Like previously mentioned, lithium IS a game changer. Our 2021 Northpoint has a residential fridge, we were lucky to get through the night on two lead acid deepcycles. Our version coach has a built-in 1200 watt inverter for the fridge and the few “inverted” receptacles throughout the coach. We HAD to do lithium so we could harvest host and get more than 2 days for the residential fridge. Costco occasionally runs specials (spring/fall) where they sell a two pack of Lion Safari UT-1300 batteries, typically a few hundred off. We were fortunate our hallway converter was “lithium ready”. .. that way adding lithium was an easy flick of the switch and our coach charger could now “charge” the lithiums. (Lithium batteries have higher charging profiles) Great thing is you can always “expand” .. start simple with a couple lithiums .. upgrade the hallway converter to a lithium capable charger. Then stress the coach again to see how much better things are. We ended up with two 2 packs from Costco for a total of 420 amp hour bank of 4 lithium batteries and cabling. That alone got us two days from the batteries for the residential fridge and coach 12volt loads. .. all said about $3000. Then\later for another $2000 we added 4ea 175 watt semi flex Renogy solar panels and controller parts. Haven’t stressed the coach since .. but I’m sure we can easily get more than 3 days or longer with the solar provided there’s sun. Now .. whole coach inverters, 6 or more batteries and all the controls and cabling to run the whole coach and AC .. you’re gonna need $18-20k. Here’s hoping a sponsor steps up for y’all! Safe travels.
This was such an amazingly and helpful video! Thanks Hanks! I have been watching you guys over the last 3 years and have finally made the leap! We sold our sticks and bricks and have been living in our Rv since May of 2022. Couldn't have done it without you! I am a Hospice Travel Nurse and my husband is retired. Living the Dream!
We added two lithium batteries and were able to comfortably boondock at Harvest Host, etc. Eventually we added solar and a 3rd lithium battery. Along the way we converted the two way refrigerator to 12 volt. The refrigerator conversion is a game changer for boondocking and on travel days (the wife’s ice cream is always frozen).
@@thehigsy On propane, the refrigerator was struggling in higher temperatures. In addition, I did not like driving with the propane on. Personal preference.
@@canadianwarrior8535 It was a series of expenses for sure. Fortunately, we were able to spread the process over a few years and get some tax credit on the solar.
Did you run your fridge off propane? We have a pretty robust lithium setup and our big norcold alone can run the batteries dry with enough time. Especially for anyone who has a residential fridge that only operates on AC power, the fridge seems like one of the bigger obstacles when trying to boondock without a solar setup
Thanks for the great perspective of boon docking for the first time. We’ve talked about it, but with no generator we’re always skeptical. Great tips!! Travel safe and enjoy every adventure!!!😊
I'm wondering why people don't just get a generator? I've seen several people say this, I've seen them used for a couple hundred bucks which isn't a lot these days
@@teresaworthley2368 I see, I have a very small Camper, and tow it with a GMC Yukon. And I just keep the generator in back of the Yukon. Until I'm ready to use it.
So much you can do with just a small solar system, this from a paramedic who been one from 1981 and retiring in 3 months to a few Nurse/Paramedic's!!! Love you guys and hope to see you on the road someday soon.
First upgrade il be doing when i get an RV later this year is getting 3 lithium 200ah batteries. Game changer from what ive researched. Love yalls videos
You may want to consider AGM batteries. We have 200 W solar and two 100 AH AGM and as long as there is sun we could boodock indefinitely. The only real limiting factor is the black tank.
I have to say the main thing I worry about running off my batteries is the fridge. It uses about 400 watts and will deplete the power supply in no time if I don’t remember to switch to LP. That burns through about a gallon and a half a day running 24hours so that can quickly add up to costing more than just paying for hookups. Instead of spending a bunch of money on adding more batteries and more solar I’m trying to find ways to be more energy efficient. Currently in the market for a strictly 12v refrigerator, if that even exists.
It does. I just got a Dometic 12v compressor refrigerator that's the same size on the outside as the Propane/AC one my RV came with. It draws about 7 amps while the compressor's running, which is about half the time. Otherwise, it drops to about half that. Gets cold in less than 2 hours. Best of all, it's 60% larger on the inside than the old one.
We've just done 10 days of dry camping up here in the Pacific North Wet. Two 100Ah lithium and 380W of solar panels. We had to run the generator daily. Tree cover and cloud didn't let the solar do much of anything. Running the furnace 24hr a day and the compressor fridge chewed through a lot of amps. A lot of the solar, generator, batteries questions can only be answered by testing and personal situation. Your comment about try what you have before you buy more stuff is spot on.
I would get some lanterns for like camping propane or karocine or even battery operated for inside the rig only because battery operated doesn’t throw heat, cooking outside is good. Also I would upgrade those batteries and get some solar panels even if is just 2 or those Patriot ones they advertise on you tube can help charge up the cell phones and lap tops and iPads….you guys are great and glad you were having a great time
I totally agree! I HATE wasting $, so your approach to testing things out and figuring out what we need slowly is perfect! You guys are great! I’ve never had as much fun watching someone make coffee and a fire as when I watched this! 😂
We run 2 - 6V Golf Cart batteries from Costco, connected in series to make 12V. These last much longer than 2 - 12V Deep Cycle batteries do plus they can handle being discharged/recharged. But we do have a Honda EU3000 in order to occasionally run the AC and microwave because we're wusses! 😛We have also replaced every incandescent bulb in our rv with LEDs. The two major draws to your batteries are the furnace blower (if its cold at night) and running your water pump during showers, etc. But you guys did great lasting two night/3 days on one battery!!
Loved this video. We don’t have an RV yet. I specifically want one to camp on Surfside beach. We are Texans and I love Surfside beach! This video was so interesting for a person who doesn’t RV yet. Trying to figure out just what we need. Loved Carl saying “I am not an expert” while holding a blow torch. Very funny! And every time y’all talked about the tunnel my brain was singing the “dig a tunnel”song from Lion King 1 and a 1/2. 😂 Thanks Hanks for bringing us the real scoop every week!
You both are awesome!!! We are headed out Monday to live full time in the RV. Thanks to you and your wife , we have the knowledge and expertise to do so. Thank you very much. Keep it up 👍🏼
I've used lead acid batteries for decades & still do & I won't change. You can run them dead & recharge them but it's a bad idea. it's like charging up a dead car battery, it can be done. It will shorten their life span. A few times I had to deplete them to 25% before I could charge them. It was fine. The important thing is to SLOW charge them back up to full. A slow charge is 6 amps or less. I use 2 amps. Yes it'll take a few days. I cycle 6 hours on charge, 6 hours off charge. Some ppl cycle in 12 or 8 hour cycles. What ever works for you. Just give the batteries a rest period to cool off & adjust their chemical balance. A fast charging will warp the lead plates & they'll short out internally, & you'll be buying new batteries. Regarding LiFePo batteries, yes you can fully discharge them but it's a bad idea too. As with every battery, stressing it to the max will degrade its performance. LiFePo is no different. Deep discharging them will definitely shorten their life span & affect their recharge abilities. Remember, you're dealing with chemical reactions, slow & low to moderate stress is the best. Also slow charge LiFoPo batteries too. The rule is max charge is 50% amps of their rated output. If it's a hundred amp/hr battery you can charge at 50 amps but that's not a great idea. Slow charging is best, like 20% amps of their rated capacity. The difference is lead acid only lasts a couple hundred cycles for 5-7 years under normal use LiFePo lasts hundreds of cycles & about 10-15 years under normal use (max 50% discharge). Work out the cost factor for your needs. How a battery is discharged also affects it's lifespan. A heavy load & rapid discharge degrades any battery fast. LiFePo are very temperature sensitive, much more so than lead acid. A lead acid battery will still give you power & can be charged at -40°, but not LiFePo. Running your AC off batteries will quickly kill them. Running small LED lights over a few nights or week won't cause any harm to the battery. I know AC is a nice LUXURY, but humans survived millions of years without it, so can you!!! Keep a battery, propane or white gas lantern & fuel & flashlights handy just in case you can't recharge the RV batteries & you must have light above everything else. Happy trails.
As always a great video guys. Thanks for all the information! Been catching up on your videos, I’m recovering from a stroke so it’s fun therapy watching y’all! Thank you for this. I needed it.
It was great that it worked out for you. And your right, it is all the what ifs that can be affected. As you said if you dry camp (boondock ) a bit you can save the money to upgrade so you can boondock longer, and with more of the luxuries you are carrying around with you. Oh and don’t you hate the instant corrosion from being on the coast. We like on the west coast of Canada and it is a constant battle against the elements. 😊
Last rig had two 12 VDC *deep cycle* L.A. batts.. Main trouble was with the trailer installed, *no known name brand* ,charger, when hooked to 125 VAC park power. (Inferior charger would over charge the batteries, which ruined the first set). Even ran a 125 VAC fan all night during a power outage at a park… (AC from a portable inverter)… Still had over 12-VDC in the AM.
You should get a Bolt Silica salt battery… it can be depleted without damage, it also doesn’t require temp control… and no load balancer needed… and it will not explode
I think its better to research and get what you need to boon-dock, then to go boon-docking and find out what need and don't have. If for emergency purposes only, you should have a small generator and/or a Jackery. Love your channel.
I think the first thing would be a whole coach Inverter, then a good battery bank (whether that’s with lithium or lead acid). I would get solar last. You need a LOT of solar to make a big difference. Like someone else said, our 360W of solar is more of a battery top off. Of course, having a generator also helps a lot. I’d rather have a small generator than spending a fortune on solar. Lastly, this only applies if you dry camp. If you don’t or rarely do, then don’t worry about it. We’re in the midst of a 54 night trip in the Pacific Northwest. Probably 30 of those nights are in National Forest and similar campgrounds with no hookups.
I have 2 wet batteries for our Travel trailer, never have a problem with the batteries dying. Our refrigerator is gas and electric powered. We have 2 30lb tanks for that. And as a back up for power we have a inverter generator to run the AC when we boo dock or the microwave. For trickle charge though we use a solar briefcase, that keeps the batteries always at 100%. This all makes boon-docking so much fun without any worries for us. Thanks for the video.😊
I have a 20 ft Airstream and have been using 2 - 100 ah AGM batteries for the past 2 year. This winter, with the help of my friend, I switched to 2-Weize 100ah lithium batteries. I got them from Amazon for $350 each. They have the BMS in them. They are working wonderfully! I don’t have solar on my roof yet but I use 2 portable suitcase panels for a total of 400 watts of solar. It works great for me. Of course I still can’t run the microwave or AC unless I use the generator when boondocking. It’s been such a great relief for when I am dry camping or boondocking. Best wishes on your adventures for power solutions.
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FOR A RIG LIKE THAT YOU NEED:
A KILO WATT OF SOLAR
TEN KILO WATTS OF BATTERIES
AND A DC ISOLATOR FOR ENERGY FROM YOUR TRUCK ALTERNATOR
AN ESBAR HEATER TO USE GAS OR DIESELF FOR HEATING..
A BUNCH OF ACCESSORY ITEMS SUCH AS CHARGE CONTROLLERS, MONITORS, DISCONNECT SWITCHES AND FUSES.
TOTAL COST MAYBE 5 TO TEN GRAND..........
THE BENEFITS BEING YOU'RE NO LONGER STUCK WITH OR SLAVES TO RV PARKS, TRAILER PARKS, ETC.......
IF YOU CAN'T DO THAT, THEN YOU KIDS ARE JUST NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME, SO GO BACK TO YOU MOMMIES, AND START ALL OVER, ETC. ETC.
@@charlesb1807 YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT..........THEY DON'T KNOW, YOU DON'T KNOW........WHAT EVER
AND ANOTHER THING:
THE CHARLES TROLL RUTHLESSLY ATTACKED ME AND THEN RAN AWAY, SO HERE ARE SOME MORE THOUGHTS:
1. YOU HAVE A FANTASTIC, BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL WIFE
2. THE TRAILER AND TRUCK ARE ALSO GREAT.
3. YOU'RE JUST CLUELESS ABOUT SOLAR AND POWER.
4. ALL YOU NEED IS WHAT I RECOMMENDED AND THEN...........
5. YOU'LL BE IN WONDER LAND.......BEAUTIFUL NATURE SITES, WITHOUT THE CRAPPY RV PARKS, ALL THE POWER YOU'LL NEED, LOTS OF MONEY SAVED....ETC. ETC...
6. I'M TELLING YOU KIDS...........DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME LISTENING TO TROLLS LIKE CHARLES........I'VE BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT...I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT
Love this video! ❤ We think 2 lithium batteries will suit you fine. We have a much smaller rig & have two 12 volt batteries & some solar. We highly recommend solar, bcuz "ya nevuh knoe" when something is going to go wrong with your battery situation. Solar came with our trailer to run the frig. Very cool. 😎
We also have a separate portable solar generator for small appliances. Also cool.
Only thing... & just for fun... someone please make Carl some coffee!😉❤😊
Luv & hugs. Can't wait for the next video!
@@cksmith705 WHEN YOU SAY 2 12 VOLT BATTERIES, THAT COULD BE ANYTHING.........100 AMP, 200, 300, ETC... 2 100 AMP BATTERIES WOULD BE TO SMALL, 2 300 AMP BATTERIES FOR A RIG LIKE THAT COULD BE A START AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE LITHIUM PHOSPHATE.......
Next time just run an extension cord and plug into Keith and Raini’s outside outlet😉
Best comment yet!!
🎉 Agreed!! 💯 Love to Dexter!! ❤ #davesandersstepdaughter
Putting this in my “things to remember” notebook
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😂😂😂
The oil on the Brussel sprouts helps them slide right into the trash!😅
Try soaking the corn w/ husk in water then put on the coals. Eliminates the need for foil. Happy RVing!
I could go on for hours about lithium. Not only as a guy that installs them, but uses one for dry camping. You only need one and it will change your life. My simple set up is 50 amp hours of lithium, 300 watts of solar, and a 700 watt inverter. Also set it up to charge off of the alternator. I never ever worry about running out of battery. The big difference is I don’t need to run the AC or a resi fridge. My only limitation at this point is tank capacity.
You are right! Under ideal circumstances you can get by with one Lead battery for a couple of nights. Why do you think they call it camping. But that means no A/C, no furnace, no microwave, no TV. You can always make coffee with propane and a French press. I just use tea bag style coffee singles. For me it would be the internet/computer or TV but when you are hanging with the hanks around the campfire you don't need those either. Today many if not most RVs have 12V compressor refrigerators. These don't do well when the voltage of a lead acid starts to droop so Lithium is almost required and at least 150W of solar to keep it going. Don't forget cloudy days means no charge or at least very little charge. Lithium also needs a compatible12V converter to get the 14.4 volts needed to charge them and if you put in big battery bank you will need a 12V to 12V charger to keep from smoking the tow vehicle alternator and properly charge your batteries. Don't try to add just a Lithium battery as a direct replacement for your Lead. You won't be happy with it. Also Lithium must not be charged if the battery drops below 32 degrees. High end batteries protect against that but some of the cheaper ones on Amazon do not but who wants to camp below 32 deg anyway? So do your homework don't just run out and buy a Lithium battery. Did we talk about 115V inverters yet? Another time.
We've boon docked for years, about 70% of the time. I am amazed you made it on one L.A. battery. We started with one, but quickly moved to 2-6v golf carts. Big game changer. We are low power users so this worked for us on our 2-4 day trips. I then added a 100W solar panel which is now 2-100W panels. With LIPO4 batteries dropping in price like they have we recently added 2-12v LIPO4's (Chins) . We have also added a 600W inverter to charge a laptop & iPad. Added a small inverter generator as a 'just in case'. We rarely use it though. We now boondock for up to 2 weeks at a time without any worries. Weather is of no concern. We did it a step at a time as needed. Under $1k all in. Others are in $8-$15k.
Those diesel-powered coffee grinders can’t be beat 😂
Great video goofballs. Kyles editing has been next level
Thank you so much!
Again, your so funny, love you sneaking over to trick to plug in the grinder for your coffee.
Here is just a quick fact ney ney and carl!! Semi trucks run 4 heavy duty batteries wired in parallel, you could get away with 2 or 3 if you wanted especially if they are lithium ion, but I suggest getting heavy duty ones if solly allows it in the battery holder.
Personally, boondocking on the beach is like a form of torture that is self-inflected. The sand will never completely get out of your truck and RV, you can almost watch the corrosion occur on small metal items ... but hey some people hate the mountains or state parks or cute squirrels :-)
Loving the pan out coffee grinder shot!
Fun video. I think Dexter wanted to play in the sand :) Technically you have 2 batteries . One in the 5th wheel & one in the truck which you used as a generator to recharge your house battery ...
We Boondock two weeks a year. We have a generator that we use every couple of days to top up our batteries. Regular batteries and bring extra water and we do it.
Salt air works quickly on exposed metal for sure!
Love your craziness. You brought up great points... I do this and pack for ..what if,.. what if ...what if. Help me!!
Love the coffee cup, Kyle 😉. The dad jokes are priceless. 😆 🤣
You just need to get an eco flow delta pro sponsorship and test that thing out
Thanks Hanks for putting Camping back in camping!
Yay. Love getting your notification of a new video. Stay safe.
Yay! Thank you!
We have had excellent luck with a 120 watt suitcase solar panel which includes a charge controller. A;so use a 30 ft connection cable. This combo let’s you find the sun even when camping in the trees. The suitcase panel can be angled directly at the sun making it far more efficient than flat panels on the roof.
Long story short... Moved to Texas from Colorado, lived in the camper for a couple of months to find a house and sell our Colorado home. While the camper was in storage it got broken into, they stole everything that was not "nailed down". So while the camper was in for repair it got stolen from the shop. Ugh... Paid for and all set up the way we liked it. 200W solar panel from Amazon, 200AH AGM battery, 1500Watt inverter. Coffee in the morning, Microwave, TV and never went below the 50% mark on the battery. Soooo now we have a larger camper with the same setup minus the Victron name and went with GoPower. Still have coffee, microwave, TV and 12V fridge that is awesome!! We have a generator for just in case we need to run the AC or long stretches of no sun. Might get another AGM battery for 400AH (200AH usable) but for now we are set up nice. I did the calculations on all the appliances and things we use and a fully charged battery gets us 20ish hours on the TV, an hourish on the microwave, plenty of power to run the single serve Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker for each of us to get a cup of coffee, days of running the fridge (that can be run in all states even while filling up for gas!!) and heat at night. On a test day using everything conservatively we got down to 78% and by the evening it was back to 100%. So I guess it wasn't so short, but for $330 you can get the 200W and a GoPower solar regulator to getcha goin.
If you decide to go with lithium batteries make sure that your converter is compatible with lithium batteries. Some newer ones have a switch to change it to lithium. If not you will need a new converter. lithium batteries have different charge voltage and current requirements than lead acid.
We dry camp most of the time. Our trailer has a pair of 6v golf cart batteries and a small 175 watt solar system. We don't have an inverter. I carry a 2000 watt generator to recharge the batteries if it is cloudy or we are parked in the trees. We can do a 5 day trip even running the furnace at night. Water is our limiting factor. I carry two 5 gallon jugs of water to top off the tank. The next trailer is going to have more than a 40 gallon fresh water tank.
FWIW, the first thing we bought for our trailer was a 3500 watt generator. You may want to consider a larger one- 4500w or 5000w, even. Cheaper than lithium batteries.
I stayed in Surfside Beach there in Texas but we chose the very sandy and funky rv park with the bar n grill on stilts overlooking the gulf. And full hokem ups. Yea I know, we're wimps but it was 110* outside.
Agree about the need / want for the dehumidifier. As one who has lived gulf coast all my life it’s a great invention.
I almost, ALMOST always let the ads run full through for you guys to help generate a little more UA-cam income. I absolutely let every single ad run through this episode for you guys to help generate the income you need to invest in a solar charging system, inverter and lithium batteries. 😊
My family and I are weekend warriors, not full timers, but I’ve found 200W of solar and 2 sealed lead acid batteries work just fine for at least a few days. Plus it doubles as a battery tender when we are not using the trailer. Love the videos guys!!
Totally agree
We have a 50W and two lead acid. Works for a couple of nights for us as long as the fridge is cooled in advance.
completely agree. We use 200W of solar, 200aH of battery and we are good to go. As long as we don't need AC we can last as long as our tanks do.
Renee, if you like the French press your love a pour over. I have a silicon camping collapsible pour-over and you just buy the filters for it. I guarantee you will love it. I also think it is easier to clean up. Also, that 5 second rule on the beach is hard to get away with.
YES! GSI makes a nice one that folds up into a little plastic travel case. We've been using it for years.
People have been boondocking for along time with just one FLA battery. But as you noticed, you need to be somewhat miserly and give up on some things. Since more and more folks are wanting the glamping experience, the need for power has increased. There are a lot of options all depending on money and "needs".
Omg dad joke loading! Lmao 😂 I've gotta get that for my husband!
The scene with the coffee grinder was great! Lol
Thanks for watching, Ethan!
my two fav tips were the fire pit tunnel and the torch to light it! A solar generator might be a cheaper short term solution, but it is really all about how comfy you can be with less!
Lithium batteries are game changers. Especially if you plan on adding solar.
Ney Ney must have watched the same video I did on the Dakota fire. Nice to see how it worked for you guys. All I can say is you folks must have never backpacked. I kept looking for the battery lanterns and LED flashlights on their bottoms for reflective lighting. Amazing how bright they are. Good to know that there wasn't enough juice to keep the refrigerator running effectively.
George is outside on the balcony soaking up the last rays of a very nice day (before it snows tomorrow). Give Dexter a scratch for me.
You guys make me laugh every video. Thanks for the humor in what you do!
Thank you so much, Michael!
hint: Put the oil on the sprouts before the dry seasoning; it will stick and waste less.
Thanks, Jack. ❤
Great hint! I always do a lite oil before I put them on the grill. Then I add all the good seasonings that you added Renee! Yummy!!
Oil, and season, in a big bowl, then stir heartily, and only then do you let those beloved veggies taste the flat side of a hot surface.
Trying to add seasonings once they are on a flat top only serves to accomplish two things, unequal flavors from bite to bite, and burned specs that become char on your food. :)
Yaaa Carl and NeyNey night. It would be peaceful to wake up hearing the ocean like that and the sunrise. Nice video as always 😊
Something to think about is a single solar panel with a trickle charger would have kept you on full all weekend while conserving like you were. Only need the full package if you do the extremes like you mentioned.
We boondock year round with one deep cycle battery and the alternator in my ford is100 amp. And recharging is a snap. We do have a100 watt solar panel (suitcase. ) never used it yet. and a 1000 watt converter ❤
Growing up in Texas, I have gone to Surfside many times as a child. It is a fabulous beach. My parents had a van and one time even rented a pop-up. Looking over the beach there brings back a lot of great memories.
Hey Carl & Ney Ney! I just finished watching all of your episodes a few days ago! Y'all make some great content. Way to persevere through the hard times! On the first trip with our first RV, we learned if you leave your awning out during a storm to make sure it's slanted. Our awning snapped and slammed against the RV so hard it shattered some windows and rocked the RV so violently it almost threw the kids off the top bunk. We've also had our bike rack snap on us, and we dragged the bikes for a few miles before someone flagged us down. Most of my families greatest memories are from RVing. It's always an adventure. You never know what to expect... like when your mom makes reservations for your church group, and when you arrive, you find out it's a nudist colony 😆😅🤣
Wow mom…lol
😂
Ha haha !
Maybe try and put covers over your wheels like when you are winterizing your trailer. That’s how I start a fire. LOL!! What a beautiful view to wake up to every morning!! You can get a small solar panel that just sits on the ground and hooks up to your battery. For the amount of camping we do that’s what we have. Works good. We do have two batteries 12volt. Great video, thanks Hanks!
We would use the French press and fill up thermoses. You have hot coffee, all day and not have heat water, but only once. 😊
Did Dexter become a sticky salty feline? This part of Texas is so humid any way! Kudos to the two of you for boondocking on the beach. The ocean views are fantastic!! The two of you are my favorite RV channel! Love you guys!
Same!
Always look forward to the Hanks On Thursday.
I love how you guys keep it real. You don’t need to spend $$$$ on things that don’t need all the time. Love y’all
The $$$$ they spend on campground fees put into solar…. At least the near minimum.
You asked some very interesting questions and brought so good information. I've always thought about some solar just to maintain and an inverter generator as a back up for just incase. Yall be safe
I live off grid, not in and RV but a small cabin(smaller than your RV). I use small solar power banks like the Jackery. It’s cheaper and can get you through in a pinch. Just an option for a few days of boondocking!
A few thoughts on upgrading your power...
1. You can go over 24 hours on your current battery, so I wouldn't be in a huge hurry to upgrade it. If you need a bit more reserve power, add another of the same battery in parallel to your existing battery. If you do decide to go with lithium, make sure your power converter (the charger) can handle lithium.
2. For casual boondocking, I recommend a portable generator; the real gas powered kind. (Those "silent generators" are just a battery with an inverter.) 2000 Watts is a good compromise between power and portability. You want to have enough power to run one major thing at a time, like the microwave. Personally, I like the Honda EU2000i inverter generator. Small and light enough to easily stow away, but can still reheat that cuppa Joe. (The Harbor Freight equivalent is quite a bit cheaper. It's also a bit heavier and a bit louder. Long term durability is questionable; some last a lot longer than others. Plus, every small engine shop in the country can fix a Honda engine.)
2a. If you use an inverter generator, enable "eco mode" or its equivalent. Then, when the batteries are charged, the generator will drop to an idle, which will tell you it's OK to shut off the generator. (Plus, it saves fuel.)
3. Solar is great. And expensive. However, you're limited to how many panels you can fit on your roof, and they don't work very well in the shade. Or at night, for that matter. While you won't get enough power to run your A/C, it can keep your refrigerator running, and probably supply enough power for a propane furnace.
It is so much fun to get off the grid. We did some boondocking in SD - Badlands and WOW! Amazing. But absolutely agree, you must check the weather PRIOR so you get a sense of the types of temperatures your going to deal with. The furnace, although propane, eats up batteries due to the fan. Stunning location you had.
Great video… love the beach.. and good job on the rv mat.. give Dexter ❤
Solar setup for one person and dog, working remote (one phone, tablet, laptop, and tv): 2 panels (190 and 120 watts), 2 batteries (lion ... 100 amp hours each), 1 charge controller (30 amp), 1 inverster (2400 watts), and 1/0 or 2/0 batter cables with 125, 150, or 240 amp breaker on the red cable (+)
This looks like great camping tips guys
Might be hard to believe, but up until like five minutes ago, no RVer had more than an old school lead acid battery or two and nothing more. On top of that, my parents had a non-widebody, non-slide, gas-powered class A that we traveled in as a family of four for years, and we dry-camped in that many times. Somehow, we all survived.
Laughed soo hard at grinding coffee in the car. Looks like something I would've done!
Just a comment on the battery monitor on the panel. By the time you are down to 3 lights you are already below 50% state of charge and damaging the lead acid batteries. I have an electronic engineering degree and a Reflection 303. We settled on 400 ah of battery and 800w of solar for basic needs; TV, electric blanket, furnace, lights, toaster, blender and possibly microwave all from a 2,000w inverter. Last winter in AZ we almost never ran the generator. Forget running the AC or electric heater on battery. Even massive systems will have limited run time.
Hit a home run on the camping spot. What type of camping r u going to do. Start cheap, start with a inverter generator. If your pre wired for for solar and have a plug in on the front of the rv get a solar brief case that has a built in charger with at least 5 charging profiles lithium being one of them. Brief case allows ability to charge when you have the rv under trees. Be careful here and make sure you match amps at the plug in and the the brief case charger., it could b 15 amp or 20 amps. I went big here and bought a Zamp 240 watt brief case, I’m extremely happy with it. Good luck on your decision, do your research
Lmao…she’s in D making coffee. That was good. Loved that.😂😂😂😂😂❤
Im a single woman 63, just jumped from pull behind full time for 4 years to 5th wheel. Love you guys. 2 cats and 2 dogs.
I took almost 5 years for me to get a generator. But the freeze in Texas was a big push for me. I got a Bluetti AC 200 Max. 2046 wh. Then added a 350 solar charger for it. I will continue to add to it if i find i need it. Love it and have only had to use it once.
Like previously mentioned, lithium IS a game changer. Our 2021 Northpoint has a residential fridge, we were lucky to get through the night on two lead acid deepcycles. Our version coach has a built-in 1200 watt inverter for the fridge and the few “inverted” receptacles throughout the coach. We HAD to do lithium so we could harvest host and get more than 2 days for the residential fridge.
Costco occasionally runs specials (spring/fall) where they sell a two pack of Lion Safari UT-1300 batteries, typically a few hundred off. We were fortunate our hallway converter was “lithium ready”. .. that way adding lithium was an easy flick of the switch and our coach charger could now “charge” the lithiums. (Lithium batteries have higher charging profiles)
Great thing is you can always “expand” .. start simple with a couple lithiums .. upgrade the hallway converter to a lithium capable charger. Then stress the coach again to see how much better things are.
We ended up with two 2 packs from Costco for a total of 420 amp hour bank of 4 lithium batteries and cabling. That alone got us two days from the batteries for the residential fridge and coach 12volt loads. .. all said about $3000. Then\later for another $2000 we added 4ea 175 watt semi flex Renogy solar panels and controller parts. Haven’t stressed the coach since .. but I’m sure we can easily get more than 3 days or longer with the solar provided there’s sun.
Now .. whole coach inverters, 6 or more batteries and all the controls and cabling to run the whole coach and AC .. you’re gonna need $18-20k.
Here’s hoping a sponsor steps up for y’all! Safe travels.
I’d ditch that Residential fridge” for a 12 volt since you’re relying on that much power .
Keep rockin’ the boondockin’!
This was such an amazingly and helpful video! Thanks Hanks! I have been watching you guys over the last 3 years and have finally made the leap! We sold our sticks and bricks and have been living in our Rv since May of 2022. Couldn't have done it without you! I am a Hospice Travel Nurse and my husband is retired. Living the Dream!
Thanks Hanks😊 great video
We added two lithium batteries and were able to comfortably boondock at Harvest Host, etc. Eventually we added solar and a 3rd lithium battery. Along the way we converted the two way refrigerator to 12 volt. The refrigerator conversion is a game changer for boondocking and on travel days (the wife’s ice cream is always frozen).
Hi, you didn't feel the fridge running on propane was a viable option?
Not everyone has $6000.00 LUCKY YOU!
@@thehigsy On propane, the refrigerator was struggling in higher temperatures. In addition, I did not like driving with the propane on. Personal preference.
@@canadianwarrior8535 It was a series of expenses for sure. Fortunately, we were able to spread the process over a few years and get some tax credit on the solar.
How did you convert your fridge? Or did you just purchase a new 12v specific fridge? Looking to do the same
lmao I love your videos guys keep it up! Look forward to them every week! Safe travels!
Did you run your fridge off propane? We have a pretty robust lithium setup and our big norcold alone can run the batteries dry with enough time. Especially for anyone who has a residential fridge that only operates on AC power, the fridge seems like one of the bigger obstacles when trying to boondock without a solar setup
Wow! Your best ever, I think! Great report. I depend on utube influencers as part of my due diligence. Thanks, Jason!
Run an extension cord from your inverter in your truck for the refrigerator fan while you’re charging the batteries up.
Thanks for the great perspective of boon docking for the first time. We’ve talked about it, but with no generator we’re always skeptical. Great tips!!
Travel safe and enjoy every adventure!!!😊
I'm wondering why people don't just get a generator?
I've seen several people say this, I've seen them used for a couple hundred bucks which isn't a lot these days
@@MX-CO , no space currently for even a small generator.
@@teresaworthley2368 I see, I have a very small Camper, and tow it with a GMC Yukon. And I just keep the generator in back of the Yukon. Until I'm ready to use it.
So much you can do with just a small solar system, this from a paramedic who been one from 1981 and retiring in 3 months to a few Nurse/Paramedic's!!! Love you guys and hope to see you on the road someday soon.
Thanks for serving your community! 1981 was a very good year… Hubby & I were married in 1981, and yes, I still like him😉
Such a cool location.😊
First upgrade il be doing when i get an RV later this year is getting 3 lithium 200ah batteries. Game changer from what ive researched. Love yalls videos
You may want to consider AGM batteries. We have 200 W solar and two 100 AH AGM and as long as there is sun we could boodock indefinitely. The only real limiting factor is the black tank.
If your still plugged into to your truck it’s gonna pull on those batteries too!
I have to say the main thing I worry about running off my batteries is the fridge. It uses about 400 watts and will deplete the power supply in no time if I don’t remember to switch to LP. That burns through about a gallon and a half a day running 24hours so that can quickly add up to costing more than just paying for hookups.
Instead of spending a bunch of money on adding more batteries and more solar I’m trying to find ways to be more energy efficient. Currently in the market for a strictly 12v refrigerator, if that even exists.
It does. I just got a Dometic 12v compressor refrigerator that's the same size on the outside as the Propane/AC one my RV came with. It draws about 7 amps while the compressor's running, which is about half the time. Otherwise, it drops to about half that. Gets cold in less than 2 hours. Best of all, it's 60% larger on the inside than the old one.
A 12 v fridge is a game changer , I’ve had both types and WOW I love my 12 v .
We've just done 10 days of dry camping up here in the Pacific North Wet. Two 100Ah lithium and 380W of solar panels.
We had to run the generator daily. Tree cover and cloud didn't let the solar do much of anything. Running the furnace 24hr a day and the compressor fridge chewed through a lot of amps.
A lot of the solar, generator, batteries questions can only be answered by testing and personal situation.
Your comment about try what you have before you buy more stuff is spot on.
I would get some lanterns for like camping propane or karocine or even battery operated for inside the rig only because battery operated doesn’t throw heat, cooking outside is good. Also I would upgrade those batteries and get some solar panels even if is just 2 or those Patriot ones they advertise on you tube can help charge up the cell phones and lap tops and iPads….you guys are great and glad you were having a great time
I totally agree! I HATE wasting $, so your approach to testing things out and figuring out what we need slowly is perfect! You guys are great! I’ve never had as much fun watching someone make coffee and a fire as when I watched this! 😂
I think we would miss the keurig the most! Then again, cowboy coffee isn’t that bad!😂😂😂
We run 2 - 6V Golf Cart batteries from Costco, connected in series to make 12V. These last much longer than 2 - 12V Deep Cycle batteries do plus they can handle being discharged/recharged. But we do have a Honda EU3000 in order to occasionally run the AC and microwave because we're wusses! 😛We have also replaced every incandescent bulb in our rv with LEDs. The two major draws to your batteries are the furnace blower (if its cold at night) and running your water pump during showers, etc. But you guys did great lasting two night/3 days on one battery!!
Loved this video. We don’t have an RV yet. I specifically want one to camp on Surfside beach. We are Texans and I love Surfside beach!
This video was so interesting for a person who doesn’t RV yet. Trying to figure out just what we need.
Loved Carl saying “I am not an expert” while holding a blow torch. Very funny! And every time y’all talked about the tunnel my brain was singing the “dig a tunnel”song from Lion King 1 and a 1/2. 😂
Thanks Hanks for bringing us the real scoop every week!
You both are awesome!!! We are headed out Monday to live full time in the RV. Thanks to you and your wife , we have the knowledge and expertise to do so. Thank you very much. Keep it up 👍🏼
12 volt or propane fridge? Water supply is my biggest concern 😉
I've used lead acid batteries for decades & still do & I won't change. You can run them dead & recharge them but it's a bad idea. it's like charging up a dead car battery, it can be done. It will shorten their life span. A few times I had to deplete them to 25% before I could charge them. It was fine. The important thing is to SLOW charge them back up to full. A slow charge is 6 amps or less. I use 2 amps. Yes it'll take a few days. I cycle 6 hours on charge, 6 hours off charge. Some ppl cycle in 12 or 8 hour cycles. What ever works for you. Just give the batteries a rest period to cool off & adjust their chemical balance. A fast charging will warp the lead plates & they'll short out internally, & you'll be buying new batteries.
Regarding LiFePo batteries, yes you can fully discharge them but it's a bad idea too. As with every battery, stressing it to the max will degrade its performance. LiFePo is no different. Deep discharging them will definitely shorten their life span & affect their recharge abilities. Remember, you're dealing with chemical reactions, slow & low to moderate stress is the best. Also slow charge LiFoPo batteries too. The rule is max charge is 50% amps of their rated output. If it's a hundred amp/hr battery you can charge at 50 amps but that's not a great idea. Slow charging is best, like 20% amps of their rated capacity.
The difference is lead acid only lasts a couple hundred cycles for 5-7 years under normal use LiFePo lasts hundreds of cycles & about 10-15 years under normal use (max 50% discharge). Work out the cost factor for your needs.
How a battery is discharged also affects it's lifespan. A heavy load & rapid discharge degrades any battery fast. LiFePo are very temperature sensitive, much more so than lead acid. A lead acid battery will still give you power & can be charged at -40°, but not LiFePo.
Running your AC off batteries will quickly kill them. Running small LED lights over a few nights or week won't cause any harm to the battery. I know AC is a nice LUXURY, but humans survived millions of years without it, so can you!!!
Keep a battery, propane or white gas lantern & fuel & flashlights handy just in case you can't recharge the RV batteries & you must have light above everything else. Happy trails.
As always a great video guys. Thanks for all the information! Been catching up on your videos, I’m recovering from a stroke so it’s fun therapy watching y’all! Thank you for this. I needed it.
It was great that it worked out for you. And your right, it is all the what ifs that can be affected. As you said if you dry camp (boondock ) a bit you can save the money to upgrade so you can boondock longer, and with more of the luxuries you are carrying around with you. Oh and don’t you hate the instant corrosion from being on the coast. We like on the west coast of Canada and it is a constant battle against the elements. 😊
Last rig had two 12 VDC *deep cycle* L.A. batts.. Main trouble was with the trailer installed, *no known name brand* ,charger, when hooked to 125 VAC park power. (Inferior charger would over charge the batteries, which ruined the first set). Even ran a 125 VAC fan all night during a power outage at a park… (AC from a portable inverter)… Still had over 12-VDC in the AM.
You guys!! Love ya. Great video
You should get a Bolt Silica salt battery… it can be depleted without damage, it also doesn’t require temp control… and no load balancer needed… and it will not explode
Always fun videos!
We're about to two nights boondocking for the first time and your attitude is so encouraging.
I think its better to research and get what you need to boon-dock, then to go boon-docking and find out what need and don't have. If for emergency purposes only, you should have a small generator and/or a Jackery. Love your channel.
I think the first thing would be a whole coach Inverter, then a good battery bank (whether that’s with lithium or lead acid). I would get solar last. You need a LOT of solar to make a big difference. Like someone else said, our 360W of solar is more of a battery top off.
Of course, having a generator also helps a lot. I’d rather have a small generator than spending a fortune on solar.
Lastly, this only applies if you dry camp. If you don’t or rarely do, then don’t worry about it. We’re in the midst of a 54 night trip in the Pacific Northwest. Probably 30 of those nights are in National Forest and similar campgrounds with no hookups.
Great job . Thanks for the info.
I have 2 wet batteries for our Travel trailer, never have a problem with the batteries dying. Our refrigerator is gas and electric powered. We have 2 30lb tanks for that. And as a back up for power we have a inverter generator to run the AC when we boo dock or the microwave. For trickle charge though we use a solar briefcase, that keeps the batteries always at 100%. This all makes boon-docking so much fun without any worries for us. Thanks for the video.😊
Unless you get sponsored- I highly recommend Enduro Batteries! I have 1 200ah 12v lithium and I boondock weeks at a time! It’s paid for itself
Thumbs up for moist!
I have a 20 ft Airstream and have been using 2 - 100 ah AGM batteries for the past 2 year. This winter, with the help of my friend, I switched to 2-Weize 100ah lithium batteries. I got them from Amazon for $350 each. They have the BMS in them. They are working wonderfully! I don’t have solar on my roof yet but I use 2 portable suitcase panels for a total of 400 watts of solar. It works great for me. Of course I still can’t run the microwave or AC unless I use the generator when boondocking. It’s been such a great relief for when I am dry camping or boondocking. Best wishes on your adventures for power solutions.