RV Dry Camping
By Gary Bunzer
- Electrical Nightmare or Volts Aplenty ?
Dry camping , boon docking , off the grid , unplugged ; it goes by many names and descriptions . Problem is , it can become an electrical nightmare unless your rig is equipped properly and you embrace an understanding of the how ’ s and why ’ s of DC voltage production , storage and use . If you are predisposed to travel off the beaten track , shying away from the common accoutrements of the modern RV campground , this treatise may be vital to your enjoyment . And though your rig may be truly self-contained as advertised and delivered , it does not guarantee a fault-free trek into the wilderness of untethered RVing of extended time .
Having the ability to produce ( capture ) and store enough adequate 12-volt DC electrical amp-hours is as crucial as the decisive yet miserly method in which you use those amp-hours while you camp unplugged . Energy conservation is the rule in this environment . Here then , are some electrical must-haves for optimum and efficient dry camping with any RV .
Battery Capacity
It is recommended to equip the coach with as much battery capacity as you can afford ( financially , spatially and weight-wise ). Use true , deep cycle batteries for the best results . Whether you choose AGM or lead acid , 12-volt or 6-volt , be sure they all are the same brand , the same size , the same type and the same age . Adding additional storage capability places an extreme import on the ability to fully charge that large a battery bank . For one thing , be sure the automotive alternator output is robust enough to handle the additional charging demand .
Sophisticated Charging / Converter
Another method of keeping that bank from becoming overdrawn is by installing a sophisticated , three-phase converter / battery charger for those times when 120-volts AC power is available . Sadly , many stock converters simply do not adequately or efficiently charge a large bank of batteries . Newer designs , however , employ the use of microprocessor-controlled technology along with pulse width modulation for optimum performance .
Solar Power
Take advantage of the sun . Solar charging systems today offer a viable means of capturing sunlight and producing 12-volt electrical power . One key concern , however , is the quality and sophistication of the system ’ s core charging module . Do not scrimp on this device . Kits abound to get you solaractive in no time , however , the panels and the charge module must be sized according to your demands much like a power generator or an inverter must be mathematically sized to the electrical needs of your RVing style .
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