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Camping with power... battery or generator

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by AnonVet, Mar 31, 2017.

  1. Mar 31, 2017 at 7:56 AM
    #1
    AnonVet

    AnonVet [OP] That's what she said!

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    Hey everyone, With summertime coming myself and the family are planning to do some camping and what not. I'm a fairly traditional camper so I'm not showing up to a camp site with a huge rv with a bathroom and televisions, but I'm gonna want to use a little power, but not much. To keep from having a loud ass generator, would adding a battery for stuff like this be ok and if so, how on earth would I wire it in to the already existing battery. Hope this is clear and I can get some "know-how" from some of yall outdoorsy folk. Thanks
    Dan
     
  2. Mar 31, 2017 at 8:00 AM
    #2
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    Power for what? blowing up mattresses, lights, cooking? I only use a cig lighter plug in so I can inflate mattresses. Don't use electrical for anything else while camping.
     
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  3. Mar 31, 2017 at 8:03 AM
    #3
    AnonVet

    AnonVet [OP] That's what she said!

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    Well I have a couple of little ones so i'll probably need a little bit for them but for the most part, I'm a camper who builds his own fire. but it's more of a "just in case". I figured I could also wire my LED's to them also since I'm about to put a few light bars in and some pods
     
  4. Mar 31, 2017 at 8:23 AM
    #4
    10forty2

    10forty2 New Member

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    Your cranking battery and your camping battery(s) need to be different things. The camping battery needs to be a deep-cycle battery or batteries to provide enough current to sustain whatever you have connected to it for more than a few minutes. On most bigger RVs, they have 2, 4 or 6, 6VDC golf cart batteries wired together to provide 12VDC but provide ample current to run the house side of the RV. Plus, unless you use all 12VDC appliances and lights, you'll need an inverter to provide 120VAC from the batteries. And, if you plan to use the same alternator to charge the camping batteries, you'll want to check on the output of the stock alternator. It may not be big enough to provide essential current to charge your cranking battery, run all the electronics on-board that keep your engine running AND charge another battery bank.

    If it was me.... I'd go get a quiet running Honda generator and use it instead.
     
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  5. Mar 31, 2017 at 8:24 AM
    #5
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Solar with battery packs. Some are even combined.

    Thermal generator. Kids would like that in conjunction with a fire.
     
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  6. Mar 31, 2017 at 8:35 AM
    #6
    MicahTX

    MicahTX New Member

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    Good suggestions above. However, always check ahead with the campsite/rv park to see what they allow and don't allow for power sources, especially generators after dark. Then you can determine what you take on the trip.
     
  7. Mar 31, 2017 at 8:45 AM
    #7
    ColoradoTJ

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  8. Mar 31, 2017 at 8:54 AM
    #8
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Mar 31, 2017 at 8:56 AM
    #9
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Those are nice, just don't charge anything, unless something has changed?
     
  10. Mar 31, 2017 at 9:02 AM
    #10
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    Nope; hasn't changed. For the most part, when I'm out camping, as soon as I get to the spot phone goes on airplane mode for 1) save battery (so no need to charge) and 2) went camping for a reason; no calls, texts or internet. Also, I carry one of those charge sticks just in case.
     
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  11. Mar 31, 2017 at 9:17 AM
    #11
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Agreed.

    I might find it hard to pull my camper back into one of these overpriced, packed in like sardines, RV campsites again. Just not my style. Now I do like having the camper, but now I can tow with full water and have a Honda 3000UE generator. Now the boss lady might say otherwise.

    However, the OP is asking about power generators/battery for camping, so that is the reason for my answers.

    Personally, solar is the way to go, in my opinion.

    https://www.outdoorstactical.com/pr...VmQl_SaO191iyAI_XqFA7ukpT7JpPYp6zqRoCKLzw_wcB

    https://satellitephonestore.com/cat...b7YxplE50ae2uqwysGeOTjuOmvMC9lkbecRoC5NLw_wcB
     
  12. Mar 31, 2017 at 9:18 AM
    #12
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    Agreed. Let's not jack this man's thread.
     
    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Mar 31, 2017 at 9:19 AM
    #13
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Yes sir.
     
  14. Mar 31, 2017 at 9:19 AM
    #14
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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  15. Mar 31, 2017 at 9:23 AM
    #15
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Dan, some of the downsides of a small, quiet, gas powered generator:

    -expensive
    -longevity
    -maintenance (good reminder, today I need to go out and run my Honda for 15 min)
    -hauling fuel
     
  16. Mar 31, 2017 at 9:33 AM
    #16
    AnonVet

    AnonVet [OP] That's what she said!

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    Awesome info. Thanks a ton. This is exactly why I posted. I know there is a bit of engineering involved in order to sustain the power I would need. Usually I wouldn't care because I it's just me and the wife but now with 2 little ones, I want them to experience it and not from inside a RV while watching TV.
     
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  17. Mar 31, 2017 at 9:35 AM
    #17
    AnonVet

    AnonVet [OP] That's what she said!

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    Great tip, although I usually don't camp where there is an ordinance as to when and what you can do. I just drive until no one is around and do what I want. I usually have guns, a bow, or a fishing pole... some drinking games and some bikes. Just good ole fun without Merril and Edna telling me to turn it down at 7pm lol
     
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  18. Mar 31, 2017 at 9:36 AM
    #18
    AnonVet

    AnonVet [OP] That's what she said!

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    What's this jetboil you speak of.
     
  19. Mar 31, 2017 at 9:36 AM
    #19
    AnonVet

    AnonVet [OP] That's what she said!

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    Hell yes, didn't even think of that.
     
    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. Mar 31, 2017 at 9:44 AM
    #20
    AnonVet

    AnonVet [OP] That's what she said!

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    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  21. Mar 31, 2017 at 9:46 AM
    #21
    AnonVet

    AnonVet [OP] That's what she said!

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    Definitely TJ, I could see how hauling fuel would be inconvenient. I like to bring some wood and food and beer, gas is for the bikes.
     
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  22. Mar 31, 2017 at 9:47 AM
    #22
    AnonVet

    AnonVet [OP] That's what she said!

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    Yall are providing some good insight. I've been deployed so much that when I go camping, it's like second nature but now I have little ones so it's always good to get the opinion of others.
     
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  23. Mar 31, 2017 at 9:47 AM
    #23
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    They work awesome for dual purpose, and fuel is readily available all around you. I recomend them, and there are different sized ones for your needs.

    Sorry about your wallet. I spend other people's money well...lol.
     
  24. Mar 31, 2017 at 9:49 AM
    #24
    AnonVet

    AnonVet [OP] That's what she said!

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    well that was a quick $200. I've got no problem with it though, the kiddos are worth it. I can bring a steak and grill it on a grate
     
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  25. Mar 31, 2017 at 9:50 AM
    #25
    ColoradoTJ

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    Let me know how you like it, honest opinion.

    Now to get the lift squared up on the truck and you are good to go!!!!
     
  26. Mar 31, 2017 at 9:57 AM
    #26
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    Spanky, you have one of those biolites? So it works burning twigs????
     
  27. Mar 31, 2017 at 10:02 AM
    #27
    boardude

    boardude I am Batman

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  28. Mar 31, 2017 at 10:06 AM
    #28
    TXMiamiFan

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    [​IMG]
     
  29. Mar 31, 2017 at 10:06 AM
    #29
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    No twigs. Cooking with gas, baby!
     
  30. Mar 31, 2017 at 10:08 AM
    #30
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    Not to worry. Not sure the age of your little ones, but I guarantee you that they will pass out from being tired by the time the first stars appear. They spend so much energy exploring that soon after dinner they are out.
     

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