Quote:
Originally Posted by k0wtz
I love to read these guys quest for power! It is interesting. I watched a solar expert at Quatzite this year he had no enjoyment camping as he was constantly moving his array to show his batteries were fully charged.
For me I don't want to haul any more additional weight I have one small 12v battery on my tongue. This works for me I have an inverter but I don't use it never have!
I also use a c-pap but when on vacation I just risk it. I have also taken 8 tenting trips to Europe and do without it. There is just no way I can get that much power and frankly I don't want to fool with it! Just me don't get excited.
I saw guys running microwaves off their inverters this was real interesting but I think I would just buy a Honda generator and be done with it. Good for everyone who wants to tinker.
I love it all just not for me! you guys that do it impress me!
bob |
Hi Bob,
Interesting post.
I actually get a kick out of everyone's projects. The trailers are their hobbies, and they love experimenting.
Regarding CPAP. You can go up to 4 days without using one. This assumes you use it regularly (at least 5 times per week) while at home. After 4 days, you begin to experience increased breathing cessation incidents during the night and are at greater risk for sleep deprivation, high blood pressure and potential death (you can stop breathing indefinitely in your sleep).
I would leave my CPAP at home if I went backpacking in Europe, but it's so very easy to store in a travel trailer, you really don't have a good excuse.
So the question is: what can you do if you want to use your CPAP unit in your trailer?
Prior to being diagnosed with sleep apnea, I had a backup
generator mounted on my trailer's rear porch and one acid lead battery on the tongue. I also installed LED
light bulbs throughout the cabin and a 12 volt, auto stereo system. Everything else ran on
propane. I did not have a ceiling fan. This setup worked perfectly for several years.
To trick out my trailer for CPAP, I did the following:
- Installed a 12 volt outlet by my bed
- Purchased a 12 volt adopter for my CPAP machine
- Replaced the single acid lead battery for two deep cell acid lead batteries
I just went high tech for my "new-to-me" BF 21 and installed a single, 100 amp 12 volt lithium battery. This is in lieu of purchasing 2 acid lead batteries.
In fact, the lithium may be an ideal solution for someone like you, who may not have room for a second deep cell acid lead battery. The lithium is more expensive and you will also need to upgrade the lower section on you converter. But it will last up to 10 years and is much more efficient - and lighter - than the acid lead deep cells.
This purchase was an easy decision for me, as the trailer only had a single battery on the tongue. I was essentially starting from ground zero.
To conserve energy due to CPAP usage:
- Leave the humidifier for the CPAP machine at home
- Unplug the machine when not in use
None of this is rocket science or particularly costly.
Regarding
generator usage as well as
solar setup, I think everyone's camping style is unique. You're absolutely correct that a small, inverter generator,
weighing around 45 lbs., will recharge your batteries, run a
microwave and meet most other needs. You'll probably require a generator to support CPAP while boon docking.
I tend to camp off the grid for 5 - 7 days before moving on to new grounds. So, I have used my generator pretty much every time I boon dock for more than 2-3 days. I only run it long enough to recharge my batteries. But I run it in the late afternoon so I can use my
microwave and charge my mobile devices.
I'm not a DIY person, but I do regularly upgrade my trailer to make my camping experience easier. I am fascinated by
solar: I'm not sure I need it, but it's so sexy. I will still want a backup generator regardless. I may not use it as much with solar, but it will be there on rainy days - and I can use my
microwave for more than 45 seconds.
1996 Lite House Trailer-for-Two
Linear Mode
