If I plan on living in an RV park, in a 1970's model RV, what should I update to save money?
For example, more modern inverter, battery charger, etc. I'm not really the mechanical type so keep it in layman's terms please. Im not quite ready for solar panels, but I am looking to go as green as possible. By the way I will be hooked up to an electrical outlet. I really dont have the money to get a 'whole new RV'. That is why I made my question about the specific RV I have.
Old may be beautiful and classic but you take a risk with something that old. If the previous owner took well care of it you may get lucky and little may need done.
Now I would start at the top make sure the roof is good it may need a fresh coat of roof sealer paint.
Next would be the plumbing check for leaks everywhere, under the sink to under the chasis. check the condition of the holding tanks, fresh, black and grey. are the hook ups not leaking or frozen so you can dump waste? are the monitors working for the tanks. Is the water pump working?
Next would be the electricle. Does the Wireing look good, nothing altered freyed or brittle. How old is the battery, is it a deep cycle rv battery, often folks get a cheap replacement and say "New Batteries" and it could be the wrong type. You mentioned you will have access to electricle does the system have a working inverter. If it has a generator is it working do you have proof of it ever being serviced anything over 60hrs of use should have had at least one oil and air filter change. Does the fridge work if not 2 choices to be made, A regular eletric replacement energy star saver of course or an RV gas electric model. if you ever plan to boondock you will need the gas/electric.
Now you did not say if this is a trailer or motorhome. If it's a motor home and a 1970's year rig it may never need to be smoged in ca. usa. but regular maintenance is still required is there proof of all that if not have a mechanic give it the once over. Tires should have no cracks and there should be no leaks from anywhere.
Man the list could go on for days so I reccomend the Yahoo Groups and look up the RV section for more advice. I have and found a ton of it.
RV Inverter I plan to hook up a large inverter to an electrical circuit w/ an extension chord..will it work?
making my own rv out of a schoolbus..have a generator, converter box to change 120 v to 12 v when necessary, solar panels to hook into system, and a 2500 watt inverter. Most of the appliances are 120 volts..only the water pump is 12 volt. I need someone to help with hooking up this system... Thanks, Jess O. Adkins DVM
I have a system similar to that which I put together.It's really pretty simple,some people are overwhelmed and scared to try. Keep the 12 volt leads to the inverter from the source as short as possible and don't expect miracles out of the inverter because they consume power even at idle.Here's a good website to glean some information from.
http://www.oynot.com/solar-info.html
Affinity RV, New 2008 Winnebago, Voyage, 32H, Class A-Gas
Solar power systems for camping are increasing in availability, but what about practicality? Can solar power systems for camping be put to use readily? Are they portable enough? Are they durable enough?
Solar power practicality for camping must address those questions and more. Are solar power systems for camping cost effective? Do they produce enough energy for normal needs?
RV Camping
Solar power systems for camping can readily be used in RV camping. But are they practical?
Many people spend most of their RV camping time in RV camping spaces with full hook-ups. They plan trips according to where the next RV camp is, and reserve a full hook-up space for the end of each day. For them, solar power practicality is questionable. It makes a good back-up system, if there is a power outage at a campground. On the whole, however, it is an unnecessary expense - just another toy.
Others enjoy the freedom of being able to camp without hook-ups. They want to get off the beaten track - be pioneers. They want the opportunity to be in a remote, quiet place for a few days. They may want to go off road, or stop beside a quiet stream, even though it is in the middle of nowhere. They don't want to rush to make it to the next full hook-up campground.
Solar power practicality for camping is real for the second group of campers. Solar power serves a practical use for them. It breaks the leash of energy needs and lets them wander as they please.
Operating an RV's electrical system with a solar power system is simple. Charging its batteries with solar power is also simple. You need to plan your system, of course. You need to know how much energy you want. Then you need to purchase and install solar panels, batteries, and inverters that will produce that amount of energy for you.
Many Internet websites will guide you through the necessary steps of determining how much solar power you need. They will explain which components will provide that amount of energy. Solar power systems for camping in recreational vehicles are increasingly available in a range of sizes, and you are sure to find one to fit your needs. Most are easy to use.
Solar power systems for camping may make you think twice about appliances you take for granted in RV camping. For example, suppose you have a coffee maker that requires 15 minutes to brew coffee, and then keeps the coffee warm on a warming plate. This will consume a lot of your solar power. You may want to replace that coffee maker with one that will brew in 10 minutes and shut itself off. Pour your coffee into a thermos and it will remain hot without using more energy.
Non-RV Camping
Solar power systems for camping are also practical for non-RV camping. The same two groups of people are to be found. One group likes to make camp in a KOA campground, with electrical power close at hand. The other group likes to hike into the back country with lightweight backpacks, and camp wherever darkness overtakes them.
Solar power practicality can easily be seen in the array of lightweight, portable units hitting the market. Solar power can be generated by the backpack in which gear is carried. Flexible solar panels can be rolled up and carried to the campsite, where they can be stretched on the ground to generate additional energy.
Solar power systems for camping are small and portable, but can generate enough energy to run a small heater or light bulb. Solar collected by a backpack while hiking can recharge a cell phone, camera, or iPod. Small solar power units will run appliances made for use in a vehicle. The coffee maker that will plug into your cigarette lighter can be run by a flexible solar power panel.
Solar power practicality for camping is sure to increase, and products for this use will multiply. Those who appreciate the environment enough to want to be far out into it will demand clean energy, i.e. solar power.
How many 12 volt batterys would it take to run a 2300 watt inverter on a travel trailer for 12 hrs. Lights, tv fridge on propane or 12 volt setting
Make sure you hook up the batteries right or you could fry everything for instance 4 batteries hooked up one way is 12 volts and hooked up the other way is 48 volts. Also it depends on the cold cranking amps and the size of the batteries. Need a little more info.
A friends kid plugged in their RV (30 amp 110 volt) into a 60 amp 220 volt service.
This has caused all kind of issues as you can imagine. Here is what we have found so far
Non of the GFCI's are working 1/3 of the 110 outlets are dead The power inverter (110 to 12 volt) is cooked The AC will not power up
I removed the Inverter from the coach and isolated the 12 volt from the rest of the system so we could test the 110 power.
I removed the battery from the coach presuming it too a direct hit of 220.
Other than the GFCI's not working the biggie is the AC.
Does the AC have any type of component that could be cooked by a 220 hit? Im not worried about the 110. I am worried about the AC system. Could the starting compasitors be cooked? AC being the Air Conditioner
You need a wiring diagram for the RV, then test the 110 volt sockets on each circuit.
