Generator or 2 6 volt batteries

[shirley 38]

Hi, we don't dry camp a lot but what happens if you have a power outage or we stay at a Walmart overnight.

What is the difference? Don't want to buy something we really don't need.

Oh and by the way we will be traveling out west next year and may be stoping at state parks and will have to dry camp.

Any help would be appreciated.

Don't tell my husbans I posted this.

 

[IslandHtsCampers]

We use a honda generator. The decibles of noise emmitted is acceptable in all national/state parks that allow overnight stays and it is convenient for the galley. Most converter/Inverter units using 6 volt batteries cannot handle A/C and microwaves.

 

[thecplusplusguy]

Most National/State parks don't allow generators after 10pm, even the lower noise ones. Depending on the type of RV you have, I would get the 2 6V batteries. This assumes you have the space to fit two batteries, they are about the same size as a group 24 or 27 which is what a lot of RV's come with.

The one thing I would say is you will need the equipment to charge the batteries. This may mean you need a generator anyway unless you have a charge line going through your hitch wiring (usually do on a 7 pin connector).

Dan

 

[disney4dan]

We find that the two 6-volt batteries are worth it for us and we do like to dry camp at our local state park. Our new trailer came with a single 12 volt battery and we tried a 3-night trip with that before replacing it with our 2-6volts. That single battery did not last one night, went so dead that the controller on the fridge shut down. We now have those 2-6 volts on the front. Those will go 4 nights without charging and that is with a lot of lights for reading and playing games.

Something else to consider, many small generators can not handle the AC or microwave either. Those are some pretty heavy users of wattage, and your generator is also going to be trying to charge the batteries and run the lights. I would think you'll want at least 3,000 watts for generator capacity and that would be a very pricey inverter generator to save on noise.

Depending on where you go out west, you may find it plenty comfortable without AC at night. We went to Yellowstone in August 2006 and actually needed the furnace one night, down into the 30s most nights. Also, there are a fair amount of state parks out west that have electricity on the sites for fairly reasonable prices.

Also, I think all camping trailers come with a way to charge a battery in the front, even if it's just for emergency braking of the trailer if it becomes separated from the tow vehicle.

 

[shirley 38]

Thanks for all the advise. I think we will go with the 2 6 volt batteries.

We do have a battery charger. Oct 26th is John59's birthday so guess what he is getting.

Think I will post a Happy Birthday wish on the board do you think it will fly???