Results for "boondocking"

Propane Hard 6-8 hours 149 👍 0

Atwood GC10A-4E Replacement: Best Tankless RV Water Heater Upgrades 20

Halfway through draining my Atwood GC10A-4E's supposed 10-gallon capacity, the water's already running cold but my gauge shows I've only pulled maybe 6 gallons. Are there any dual-fuel tankless units that would work as a replacement? I know there's no plug-and-play option, but what are the best tankless water heaters that offer both gas and electric operation for RVs? …more

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Solar Batteries Easy N/A - planning 92 👍 0

Winnebago Ekko Solar Battery Setup: Complete Boondocking Power Guide 2

Looked at our 2022 Winnebago Ekko's dual 320 Amp Hour Lithionics batteries and 450-watt solar setup after my wife mentioned it wasn't optimized for boondocking, and now I'm completely obsessing over our power management. Planning extended boondocking trips to music festivals and remote locations.

I'm particularly interested in understanding how feasible it is to run the roof AC while driving using solar panels and batteries, and ensuring enough power remains when I arrive at my destination. What's the best strategy for maximizing battery life and solar charging efficiency during extended off-grid stays? …more

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Electrical Hard 4-6 hours 89 👍 0

RV Alternator to Lithium Battery Charging: Complete DC-DC Wiring Guide for Safe Installation

Last week I picked up my 2007 Holiday Rambler and discovered the previous owner left the alternator-to-battery charging system a dangerous wiring disaster that could destroy my new lithium batteries.

I'm upgrading from four 6V lead-acid house batteries to lithium, and I keep reading conflicting advice about alternator charging. Some people say "just connect it directly," others are warning about alternator damage and proper current limiting. I'm planning to add a DC-to-DC charger eventually, but I'm confused about whether I can safely use the alternator to charge lithium batteries in the meantime.

What's the right way to handle alternator charging with lithium batteries? Should I disconnect the alternator feed completely until I get a proper charging system, or is there a safe way to make this work without turning my alternator into an expensive paperweight? …more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Batteries

4.5 (15,400 reviews)

Solar Batteries Medium 2-3 hours 86 👍 0

LiFePO4 Battery Not Charging in RV: Complete Diagnosis Guide 2024

Planning my next boondocking trip when this faint electrical burning smell started coming from my battery compartment, and my 950W flat mounted plus 1200W ground solar setup isn't charging my LiFePO4 batteries at all. My LiFePO4 batteries used to charge up beautifully, hitting 100% by late afternoon like clockwork.

Now? Total drama queens. This morning we woke up at 18% charge, and after a full day of glorious sunshine, we're sitting pretty at a whopping 63%. With 2150W of solar, I should be swimming in electrons! But instead my batteries are acting like teenagers - moody and refusing to cooperate.

I'm starting to suspect something's gone wrong, but honestly, I have no clue how to properly check LiFePO4 batteries. Are they actually broken, or am I just doing something monumentally stupid? What voltage readings should I be looking for, and what else should I check before I start panic-buying new batteries? …more

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Solar Batteries Easy Informational 85 👍 0

RV AGM Battery Installation Cost Guide 2024 - Complete Price Breakdown for RV Owners

Spent three hours researching and my neighbor swears AGM batteries work fine for my Renegade Valencia, the dealer's pushing a $6000 lithium package, but YouTube reviewers are completely split. Since we'll be using it in cold weather below 32F, particularly in Alaska, AGM seems like the better choice anyway.

Planning to have the dealer install 2 large AGM batteries on the opposite side of the coach where the stock battery is located. Need a realistic cost breakdown before I talk to them - what should I expect to pay for quality AGM batteries, installation labor, and any additional wiring/parts needed?

I'm estimating $1500-1800 for everything. Want to know if this is actually a better value than the expensive factory lithium option, especially when purchasing and installing in the lower 48 before bringing the RV to Alaska. …more

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Solar Batteries Easy N/A - informational 84 👍 0

RV Lithium Batteries: Dual Purpose vs Deep Cycle for Coach House Banks & Performance

Despite watching countless YouTube videos on RV lithium batteries, I'm now more confused than when I started about dual purpose versus deep cycle for my motorhome's house bank. I understand that dual purpose batteries are designed to handle both starting and deep cycling applications, which sounds convenient for an RV setup. However, I'm wondering if there are performance trade-offs when using dual purpose lithium batteries specifically for coach/house battery applications where they'll primarily be doing deep cycling to power lights, water pump, refrigerator, and other 12V systems. Would I be better off with dedicated deep cycle LiFePO4 batteries for my house bank, or do dual purpose lithium batteries offer sufficient performance for typical RV boondocking and daily use? I want to make sure I'm getting the best cycle life and value for my investment in a house battery system. …more

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Appliances Easy 10 minutes 84 👍 0

Complete Guide to RV Control Panel Lights and Display Meanings

Dashboard has about 15 different indicator lights and half of them just came on after hooking up at a new campground. Some I recognize from the manual but a few aren't even documented. Need to understand what each light and display reading actually means before I start troubleshooting. …more

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Ac Refrigeration Hard 4-8 hours 83 👍 0

Dometic RV Fridge Replacement: Residential vs RV-Specific Options Guide for Smart RVers

Replaced my old Dometic RV fridge but now I'm second-guessing whether I should have gone with a residential unit instead of another 12 cu. ft. residential unit - looking at Frigidaire or Whirlpool models. But I keep seeing terrible reviews for small residential fridges in RVs.

What causes these issues with residential fridges in RV applications? Are there better alternatives that give me residential-style features without the problems? Need to know about power requirements and installation considerations too. …more

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Ac Refrigeration Hard 4-8 hours 83 👍 0

N3150 RV Refrigerator Replacement: NovaKool R4500 vs Norcold N3141 Comparison Guide

Standing in my 2016 Itasca Navion 24G, I discovered the previous owner left me with a completely shot Norcold N3150 refrigerator. The fridge is struggling big time in hot weather, with temperature swings up to 50-60F, and I'm tired of playing refrigerator roulette every trip. I'm running 200W of solar and 2 Golf Cart 6V batteries, and I do a lot of driving through Southern California deserts where temperatures hit 110F.

Been doing some research and keep seeing two main options - the NovaKool RFU6406D with dual compressors, or sticking with absorption and going with something like the Norcold N2175. I'm particularly interested in a setup that'll keep things cold when it's scorching outside and provide reliable cooling performance.

What's the real-world difference between these two approaches, and which one's gonna give me better performance in those extreme desert heat situations? …more

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Ac Refrigeration Hard 4-6 hours (professional installation) 82 👍 0

Norcold 1201LRIM Dutch Aire Conversion Guide: 12V vs 120V Power Options Explained

Already three fire hazard warnings this season from my Norcold 1201LRIM in my 2003 Winnebago Brave 34D and I'm done playing roulette with this recall nightmare. After 22 years, the absorption cooling system is showing signs of corrosion and I'm concerned about continued operation even with safety devices like Fridge Defend.

I've been researching Dutch Aire conversion options to save my existing refrigerator box, and I'm torn between their 120VAC conversion kit and their 12VDC conversion kit. Both options would allow me to keep the same interior space my wife loves while eliminating the problematic absorption system, but I need to understand the practical differences between these two power options.

My RV has both shore power capability and a decent house battery setup, but I'm not sure which conversion would be more reliable and efficient for our typical camping style. What are the key considerations between choosing the 120VAC versus 12VDC Dutch Aire conversion for the Norcold 1201 series, especially regarding power consumption, electrical system requirements, and overall performance? …more

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Electrical Medium 4-6 hours for complete installation 81 👍 0

F53 Triton V10 High Output Alternator Upgrade - 250A Install

Before I drop $800 on having a shop install a 250A high output alternator on my mid-2000s F53 Triton V10, wondering if this is something I can DIY without breaking anything. I need to upgrade from the stock alternator to handle a large inverter battery bank, and I'm looking at high-output units in the 250A range.

I found this Tucson alternator that puts out 190A at idle for under $500, but I'm worried about whether the existing wiring and belt system can handle it safely. Could I damage the engine or electrical system if I just swap it in? What upgrades would I absolutely need to do this safely?

I've worked with high-output alternators on boats before, but RV chassis systems seem different and I don't want to create a fire hazard or burn out expensive components. Has anyone successfully done this upgrade without major issues? …more

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Best RV Surge Protectors

4.6 (14,200 reviews)

Engine Easy Informational 79 👍 0

RV Residential Fridge Battery Drain: Generator Usage in Hot Weather Explained

My 2017 Pace Arrow 38B's residential fridge is forcing me to choose between running the generator nonstop or risking food spoilage during Phoenix boondocking in 80-degree heat.

I splurged on new AGM batteries just a few months ago, so these babies are practically still in diapers. But every morning I'm waking up to dead batteries like some sort of RV Groundhog Day nightmare. I have to fire up the engine just to get the generator going again!

So here's my million-dollar question: Is my power-hungry residential fridge just being a normal drama queen in this Phoenix heat, or did I somehow get cursed with defective batteries? I'm starting to wonder if running the generator twice daily is just the price I pay for having cold beer and ice cream in the desert, or if there's actually something wrong with my setup. Help a confused RVer out! …more

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Engine Easy N/A - informational 78 👍 0

2001 Triple E Diesel Pusher Buying Guide: Critical Inspection Tips & Red Flags

Standing next to my neighbor's flawless 2001 Triple E Signature diesel pusher makes the concerning issues on this one I'm considering buying even more obvious. Never owned a diesel coach before, only gas units. At 24 years old, what are the critical inspection points I should focus on? Should I be concerned about the age, or is Triple E known for quality construction that holds up over time? …more

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Electrical Medium Planning exercise 78 👍 0

RV Generator Size Calculator: Solar vs Gas Generator Power Needs for Your Camper

Woke up to my Aliner classic's power system working perfectly in 60°F weather, but now that it's 85°F outside I'm drowning in solar versus gas generator confusion. Coming from a Rialta with a built-in generator where I just added some solar panels, I'm now starting from scratch with just one 88Ah lead acid battery and need to figure out the most practical setup for my boondocking needs.

My power requirements are pretty straightforward - laptop, house lights, furnace for overnight heating, and the occasional use of my 1800-watt toaster oven which is really the main power challenge. In my previous RV, I had 160Ah of lead acid batteries with a 100W solar panel that handled everything except the toaster oven, which required firing up the generator. I'm considering adding 200W of solar panels to this setup.

Here's where I'm getting confused: I've been looking at 2000-2500 watt generators with minimum 1900 running watts, but I heard you shouldn't run more than 80% of the running watts capacity, which would mean I need about 2300 running watts just to safely operate my 1800W toaster oven. Is that calculation correct? Alternatively, I'm wondering if I could skip the generator entirely and run the toaster oven off a large battery bank with a proper inverter - but I have no idea how much battery capacity that would require or if it's even practical. What's the most cost-effective approach for someone who primarily needs reliable power for essential loads but occasionally wants to use higher-wattage cooking appliances? …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 3-4 hours 77 👍 0

Dometic Fresh Jet 5 vs Penguin 2 Air Conditioner: Complete Installation Guide for RVs

Spent the weekend camping next to a couple with whisper-quiet AC while my wife kept complaining our Dometic Penguin 2 sounds like a freight train. I've been reading about the newer Fresh Jet 5 and wondering if it would be worth upgrading.

I'm mainly concerned about three things: Is the Fresh Jet 5 actually that much quieter than the existing Penguin 2 model? Will it use more power from my electrical system? And honestly, I'm not super handy with installations - would this be a straightforward replacement where I can swap out the Penguin 2 without extensive rewiring?

Any advice would be really helpful since this is a pretty big purchase for me and I want to make sure I understand what I'm getting into before I commit to the upgrade. …more

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