![]() Rather than allowing a maximum amount of current to flow into the batteries, it allows just enough current to flow to keep the batteries at the Absorption voltage for a specified amount of time (usually 3 hours by factory default - again, sometimes programmable).ĭuring this Absorption period, as the voltage is held constant, less and less current needs to flow into the batteries to keep them there while they slowly get charged.Īt the end of the specified Absorption time, the charge controller enters the Float charging state. Once the batteries reach that voltage, they enter the Absorption charging state, and the charge controller changes its charging strategy. This slowly raises the battery voltage up to 14.4 – 14.8 volts (the amount depends on the type of battery more sophisticated charge controllers let you program the value, otherwise a default of 14.4 is typical). In the Bulk state, the charge controller allows a maximum amount of current to flow into the batteries (from whatever source - from the solar panels, from shore power, from the motorhome engine). Starting with tired, worn out, “discharged” batteries, a solar charge controller (or a generator or a converter or an inverter/charger or an alternator) gets things rolling by putting the batteries into a Bulk charging state. When living off the grid, it helps to know a little about the stages the batteries go through as they get charged. Understanding Batteries – Battery Charging Stages It is possible to live on much less (we lived on 30 amp-hours per day for a year).Most full-time RV off-the-grid households use 80-200 amp-hours per day. ![]() Multiply the amps by how many hours you use each item to find out how many amp-hours the batteries will have to provide for them each day:īut who wants to do all that math? Here are two more little facts: Some of these appliances fluctuate or turn on and off as they operate, so these numbers are very rough. ![]() For more specific numbers, check your owner’s manual spec sheet for the number of watts an appliance uses and divide by 10 to get the approximate number of amps the batteries will have to deliver to run the appliance. We carry a Yamaha 2400i portable gas generator, but we use it only 5-10 times a year, if that.Īs a reference, here are the approximate amps required to run some common appliances. They are also noisy, they require maintenance, and they insist that you stay home when you operate them. However, generators require fuel, and it won’t take long to run up a big fuel bill. A generator is okay if your stay is going to be just a few days or even a week or two once in a while. ![]() In order to boondock efficiently, you need to equip your rig to supply its own electrical power for extended periods. Solar Power – The Foundation of RV Boondocking Waste Water Tanks, Propane and Communications Water Capacity and How to Conserve WaterĤ. This is a long post and you can use the following links to skip further down the page:ģ. And if your love of adventure is enticing you further into the outback, you’ll find great tips for overlanding at: Overland Site. This page explains how we have lived this very independent and free spirited lifestyle.įor tips on how to find free camping spots, see our page: Boondocking – How to find Free RV Campsites. We don’t feel we have to compromise any aspect of our lives to live this way. Is it fun to live this way, even though there are limits on electricity and water consumption? OMG – yes! We have no plans to return to a life on the grid anytime soon. In the process, we have learned a lot about “dry camping” (or “boondocking” or “wild camping” or “free camping” or “dispersed camping”) as well as “anchoring out.” And we’ve figured out how to do it comfortably. We’ve lived within the electrical constraints of a house battery bank and dealt with funky RV and marine toilets that flush into holding tanks. Since we started in 2007, as of June 2020, we have spent over 4,300 nights living off the grid in our RV and sailboat.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |