RV Dry Camping
By Gary Bunzer
- Electrical Nightmare or Volts Aplenty?
Dry camping, boon docking, off the grid, unplugged; it goes by many names and descriptions. Problem is, it can become an electrical nightmare unless your rig is equipped properly and you embrace an understanding of the how’ s and why’ s of DC voltage production, storage and use. If you are predisposed to travel off the beaten track, shying away from the common accoutrements of the modern RV campground, this treatise may be vital to your enjoyment. And though your rig may be truly self-contained as advertised and delivered, it does not guarantee a fault-free trek into the wilderness of untethered RVing of extended time.
Having the ability to produce( capture) and store enough adequate 12-volt DC electrical amp-hours is as crucial as the decisive yet miserly method in which you use those amp-hours while you camp unplugged. Energy conservation is the rule in this environment. Here then, are some electrical must-haves for optimum and efficient dry camping with any RV.
Battery Capacity
It is recommended to equip the coach with as much battery capacity as you can afford( financially, spatially and weight-wise). Use true, deep cycle batteries for the best results. Whether you choose AGM or lead acid, 12-volt or 6-volt, be sure they all are the same brand, the same size, the same type and the same age. Adding additional storage capability places an extreme import on the ability to fully charge that large a battery bank. For one thing, be sure the automotive alternator output is robust enough to handle the additional charging demand.
Sophisticated Charging / Converter
Another method of keeping that bank from becoming overdrawn is by installing a sophisticated, three-phase converter / battery charger for those times when 120-volts AC power is available. Sadly, many stock converters simply do not adequately or efficiently charge a large bank of batteries. Newer designs, however, employ the use of microprocessor-controlled technology along with pulse width modulation for optimum performance.
Solar Power
Take advantage of the sun. Solar charging systems today offer a viable means of capturing sunlight and producing 12-volt electrical power. One key concern, however, is the quality and sophistication of the system’ s core charging module. Do not scrimp on this device. Kits abound to get you solaractive in no time, however, the panels and the charge module must be sized according to your demands much like a power generator or an inverter must be mathematically sized to the electrical needs of your RVing style.
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