gonekayaking
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enjoying using my camper and not working on it anymore!
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1956 Shasta 1500
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Post by gonekayaking on Jun 19, 2013 12:52:07 GMT -8
We intend to camp off the grid a lot. In fact I think it will be a rare occasion when we are at a full service RV type park. Under the dinette bench (street side...would change to curbside if I were doing again) I have 2 AGM Group 24 batteries, a 450W modified sine wave inverter, a converter charger, and 2 15 Amp button fuses. It can be plugged in to shore power or run off the 12 v batteries. All the lights are 12 volt, as is the fan. Other uses for electricity are running the computer and stereo. We are able to boondock for 5-6 days during the summer without having to charge. Also set up with 7pin from truck to batteries for charging while on the road. I paid to have it installed so that I wouldn't screw up...came to around 1000 including labor. Next purchase will be solar panels for trickle charging and then the only reason we'll ever have to go an RV park is to do showers and laundry.  |
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Post by 62shastacrazymom on Jul 6, 2013 6:27:54 GMT -8
Did your $1000 include wiring everything else to the switches and lighting??
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jul 6, 2013 16:28:11 GMT -8
Nice! We sure have enjoyed having both, and love the ability to be off the grid. The only thing we have to do when we get close to our camping location is put water in the tank. If we're careful (learned through years of backpacking), that 15 gallons can last 3 or 4 days, even with showers. Nice work, gone kayaking!
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Post by universalexports on Jul 6, 2013 18:30:18 GMT -8
nice, Harbor freight sells a good little 45 watt solar panel kit (3 panels) would work nicely to add some power. it runs about $179.00 I found a coupon on ebay for mine for $4.50 and got the solar kit for $149.00
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Jul 24, 2013 9:51:55 GMT -8
I bought a 1000-watt (continuous, 2000 surge), modified sine wave Xantrex "X-power" on ebay for about $70 a couple of years ago. Works great, can run my desktop computer with 75-watt 5.1 surround and a high-end video card with no problem, although it prefers to boot up with the monitor and sound turned off because of the start-up load.
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kathleenc
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Post by kathleenc on Jul 24, 2013 12:18:00 GMT -8
I have what is surely a dumb question about CONverters. I had someone help me rebuild a trailer and we put a converter in so I could run the Fantastic Fan and possibly other stuff off of battery power.
BUT - I never got a battery. Is it wrong to use it this way without a battery? will it hurt anything?
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Jul 24, 2013 12:30:53 GMT -8
Nope, it's fine. Converters are 12v power supplies as well as battery chargers (from what I've been reading, they're not that great as battery chargers anyway, the voltage isn't high enough to meet battery manufacturers' specs, and they taper the amps off too early). Just make sure it's properly installed, and make sure the battery leads aren't sitting there with bare ends.
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Post by vikx on Jul 24, 2013 22:45:11 GMT -8
I agree with Cowcharge, but it depends on the converter. Some use the battery as a "buffer" to even out the voltage and some will do weird things without a battery. I think you'll be OK, but installing a battery would be the best choice.
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Jul 26, 2013 8:20:20 GMT -8
Yup. Check the manual.
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Aug 5, 2013 14:37:54 GMT -8
I'm looking at your picture. When you plug in to shore power 120 voltage, does the path go through the converter charger to the battery and then either to the 12 volt stuff (lights, fan, etc) and/or to the inverter to a 120 volt outlet (for computer and stereo)? Do you have a battery disconnect somewhere? Do you monitor the battery voltage?
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gonekayaking
Active Member
enjoying using my camper and not working on it anymore!
Posts: 410
Likes: 75
1956 Shasta 1500
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Post by gonekayaking on Aug 8, 2013 20:28:42 GMT -8
Yes that was everything.
I do disconnect the battery if it's not going to get used for a long time.
I have Progressive Dynamics intellipower converter 9130 with a charge wizard. The new model 92xx series have the charge wizard built in so you don't need anything else to monitor battery level.
My shore power goes to the fuse box. The converter plugs into an outlet. Converter then is connected to the battery set up.
Hopefully that answers your questions.
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