lane hog
Tucson, AZ
Senior Member
Joined: 07/06/2003
View Profile
|
What Len said. Generators can run two hours in morning, two hours at dinner.
This is why I have a solar panel. And yes, it worked just fine up at the North Rim in late September.
It's usually a great time of year to be up there. We were there the last day the CG was open back in 2006. The inventory at the Xanterra operated store in the CG was running a little low, so don't expect to be able to find too many critical things while you're up there. The General Store near Kaibab Lodge was better stocked, but a good 20 mile drive from the CG.
- 2005 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C (was a three-time Jayco owner)
- 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic toad (had Ram 2500 CTD, Durango, Liberty...)
- Onan Microquiet 4000, plus 130W solar and Honda EU2000i twins for backup
|
bukhrn
Lanexa, Va
Senior Member
Joined: 03/20/2005
View Profile
 Offline
|
JFG wrote:The NPS has regs on quite hours... 10:00pm to 6:00am. Not exactly true, Madison CG in Yellowstone NP, the hours are 8am - 8pm.
2007 Forester 2941DS
2005 KIA Spectra
Zamboni, Long Haired Mini Dachshund
I Love My Grizz
|
Pitapony
Out There Somewhere
Senior Member
Joined: 03/11/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
What happens if you NEED the electric to run O2 equipment during the night? Do you just not get to go to those places?
COPD and LVRS
On the Road Again
Our Home - 2002 Glendale Titanium, 32/37DS
Our Home's Leader - Dodge Ram 3500 Cummins Turbo Diesel Dually
Our Leaders - Pounce the Perfect(Dog), Taco the Terror (Dog), and Sam the Social (CAG)
|
garyhaupt
Kitimat, BC, Canada, Mile '0' of Alaska HiWay #37
Senior Member
Joined: 11/21/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Of course..one could go dry camping at the Rim and avoid the quiet time hours of the organized campground. Or are there time restrictions for dispersed camping?
Gary Haupt
|
Bubby's RV
CA
Senior Member
Joined: 07/22/2003
View Profile
|
Pitapony wrote:What happens if you NEED the electric to run O2 equipment during the night? Do you just not get to go to those places?
This is where batteries & inverters and 12 VDC oxygen equipment come in. You would also sleep better not having to listen to your own generator or have to worry about CO poisoning when you're asleep. While not in the same league as oxygen equipment, we have an inverter to run electric blankets when it's cold. It works great.
John, Winnebago Minnie 24V
|
|
|
lane hog
Tucson, AZ
Senior Member
Joined: 07/06/2003
View Profile
|
Pitapony wrote:What happens if you NEED the electric to run O2 equipment during the night? Do you just not get to go to those places?
If you don't have enough battery to run it overnight, then no, you don't get to go to those places and dry camp. But you're free to experience the Rim. You just need to stay in one of the many cabins and lodge rooms which have electricity, or dry camp in the NFS areas outside the park where there are no restrictions on generator use that I'm not aware of.
ADA requires reasonable accommodation within the scope of the agency's purpose. Requiring a few spots be wide enough to support a wheelchair lift or having a fire pit that can be managed by someone in a wheelchair is, because it doesn't prevent an able-bodied person from using them, nor does it detract from the experience for everyone else. Allowing overnight generator use at the expense of everyone else is not a reasonable accommodation because it infringes on the environment.
|
pnichols
Santa Cruz Mountains
Senior Member
Joined: 04/26/2005
View Profile
|
If you have some money to spend for silent RV power WHENEVER you want it (rain/shine/clouds/night-time) for 24/7 high priority critical medical or other reasons in any camping spot - you might try this instead of or in addition to large battery banks and instead of any solar at all:
http://www.jmbadditions.com/SMARTFUELCELL.php
* This post was
edited 08/24/08 11:04pm by pnichols *
Phil, 2005 E450 Itasca 324V Spirit
|
Veebyes
Bermuda
Senior Member
Joined: 11/24/2003
View Profile
 Online
|
In addition to keeping quiet time hours, run the generator only when necessary. The gennys which throttle down under light loads are far more prefered than a screaming cheap contractor type which runs full throttle all the time & has no sound shielding.
Boat: 32' 1996 Albin 32+2, single Cummins 315hp
40+ night per year overnighter
RV: slightly pre enjoyed 2006 Alpenlite 34RLR LTD
2006 Chevy 3500 crew cab LT 6.6L Diesel
Ham Radio: VP9KL, IRLP node 7995
|
profdant139
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 11/14/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
pnichols, are you sure fuel cells are silent? I could not find decibel ratings on the link you provided, and I have seen literature on other fuel cells that show that they are actually a little noisier than the Honda 2000. But I have never seen one in operation, so I don't really know.
If they are silent, I would consider getting one, depending on how much they cost.
|
Matthew_B
The boonies near Dallas, Oregon
Senior Member
Joined: 08/18/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
There are many types of fuel cells. The one pnichols linked is a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell.
The DMFC is one of the quietest designs out there. Multiple companies were trying to make DMFC modules for laptops, cell phones and PDA's.
Note that only pure methanol (wood) alcohol can be used, not propane. DMFC are much bigger than an much less efficient than other types of fuel cells. Note the linked unit is 53W! Great compared to solar since it's running 24 hours a day, but pathetic compared to a genny. The units that run on propane are more efficient, but are noisy since they have a reformer to convert propane to hydrogen before feeding it to the cell.
|
|
|
