RooInBC
Vancouver, BC
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Joined: 07/04/2008
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When we're dry camping, we just break a couple of glow sticks for the night. Put off enough light you can see where you're going, but not enough to keep everybody awake, and it saves battery power!
02 Dodge Dakota
09 Rockwood Roo 19
1XWife(Annette)
1XChild(9 Mos old)
2XCampsite Gaurdians(Macy and Cosmo)
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tom_kat
way upstate new york/lake george area
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Joined: 02/28/2005
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one grp 24 or 27 will not get you thru the night if its cold out 2 grp 27s will and you would need to recharge during the day if you use your furnace much ,one grp 24 is 85 amp hrs one grp 27 is 105 to 115 amp hrs depending on the battery,two grp 27s would be needed, led lights are a big plus they dont use much power at all.use your old battery for the tv.
1985 Class A Holiday Rambler Imperial 33 +1979 Class C Holiday Rambler Statesman 1000 = 24 ft
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jrhinse
Gatineau, QC, Canada
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Joined: 06/02/2003
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The 6-volt option is definitely the best option for reserve capacity.
For lighting, we use four Rite Lite Bright LED Micro Puck Lights velcroed to ceiling powered by rechargeable NIMH AA batteries.
For heating, we use an 3000-18000 BTU Big Buddy catalytic propane Heater; no noise, no batteries required, uses 1-lb, 20 lbs or direct connect to other propane source.
For washing, rinsing and other uses such as face/body cooling, we use three plastic spray water bottles.
For TV, Skype telephone and entertainment (games/pictures/movies/internet radio), a SONY slim Play Station Protable (PSP) which can connect (via wifi) to our SONY LocatioFree base at home.
J-R
2005 Georgie Boy Landau 3402
Toyota Echo Hatchback 2004
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Nick Wildwood
Hell California
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Joined: 04/16/2008
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Make sure you have a 'deep cycle' battery with plenty of amp hours. The higher the group number the more amp hours they have, but check the amp hours. It's the most important spec.
Your heater fan uses the most power. Instead of using the heater use heavy sleeping bags or blankets, cuddle up or go someplace warm. TV uses the second most power. Save the mindless brainwashing for when you get home, get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Use the lights very sparingly. Try to use the florescent lights instead of the incandescent. If you go camping when there is a full moon you won't need lights outside.
When dry camping you need to track your electrical use and count every watt. Conservation is the key. The light which gets left on in the bathroom is usually the killer.
We have solar panels and can't imagine how we got along without them. You can't hear our generator because it's 93 million miles away.
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RicJones
So. Cal.
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Joined: 10/29/2007
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I think with 2 group 27 batteries and no heater you might make it for 4 days if you don't run the lights much at night and use a flashlight or some battery operated lantern for a nightlight. The TV could be the battery killer.
GOOD LUCK and let us know how you did.
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nny12972
NY
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Joined: 10/25/2006
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No offense....but just 8 hours each night running your 12V "night light" for 4 days without any recharge will render your one group 24 (even a new one---unless it's one of the Trojan J-150s) unable to operate the control circuits for your fridge, furnace, and HW.....never mind running them, or the tv, water pump, etc....you need a lot more battery and aux. charging capability.......
If you're serious about upgrading your 12V supply, suggest you Google and read "The 12 Volt Side of Life." It's all there---and easy to read and understand.......
If not, it sounds like you need either a genset or a Jellystone Park, and a thorough reading of the above.
J
* This post was
edited 07/24/08 12:49pm by nny12972 *
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Chuck_S
Broadview Hts, OH, USA
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Joined: 03/15/2002
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It's all about amp hours. One amp for one hour is an amp hour. A double bulb ceiling light pulls 2.5 amps. One of those on for 8 hours is 20 amp hours.
And about battery capacity. Even an excellently charged Group 24 deep cycle battery really only has 55 useful amp hours, not the 70 or 80 on the label. A 5-year old deep cycle will have even less.
Lots of amps being used? You need a big battery. For a popup with only room for one battery on the tongue you need a quiet genset like the Honda EU1000iA2. Will run your 110v appliances short of the microwave and air conditioner and charge your battery.
-- Chuck
'06 Roo 23SS behind '07 Expedition out of Cleveland
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squirescampers
Derry, NH
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Joined: 03/18/2005
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I am trying to keep the expense to an absolute minimum. This is the only trip this year without hook ups; If succusful, maybe we would get 1 weekend a year without hook ups going forward.
Trojan golf cart batteries etc, are out of the question.
If we did not run the Television (as I mentioned that is a big maybe anyway)
would a group 27 last without a recharge?
Any suggestions on recharging without having a generator?
Thanks again
Families who camp together, stay together...
Dad
Mom
11yr old son- knows everything now...
5 yr old son- still sweet...
4 yr old daugher- turning me grey already...
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AutoEngMike
Erie, PA
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Joined: 10/31/2005
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Sams club sells 6V golf cart batteries for much less than the Trojan price. Maybe 5 less amp-hours. I picked up a couple earlier this year. 
$66 each, 220AH when hooked up as above. This has to be the lowest priced option for you. Mounting them will have different costs as well. I went with a much higher priced single box, some have used two smaller boxes side by side. Either way will work.
Charging takes time, using your tow vehicle is not a useful option. "The 12v side of life" will explain much better than us, someone linked to it above.
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad, 4X4, 5.7L Hemi, 3:55 gears
2005 Honda PilotEX (wife's)
2006 Rockwood Roo 23SS, 6500lb GVWR, Prodigy Brake Controller, and Equalizer 1K WDH
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chilipyro
CT
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Joined: 01/12/2008
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1. Don't use the lights. If can afford the money to replace a few with LED bulbs, then you can use those without worrying. You are looking at $30 per two bulb fixture for that. Instead, you could use a battery fluorescent lantern and/or some battery LED puck lights.
2. Replace battery with a group 27 (or group 31).
3. Recharge at a gas station, during the daytime. You'll have to remove the battery, which is a PITA. But, outside of solar or a generator, that is the only way to charge in a realistic amount of time while out camping. Bring your old battery, if you can, and use that as a backup while the other is being charged.
4. You should be able to last 4 days without a recharge, if you don't use the lights, TV, or furnace.
5. Bring a voltage meter to monitor the battery charge level. Check out the 12V side of life web site for a handy chart that shows your battery level in relation to voltage.
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