Solar or Second Battery?

[mfifield01]

Mine is connected to the DC lighter plug in the entertainment center. I have to limit the power, but that's not a bad thing.

I would only use a Pure Sine inverter for most electronics.

[CaptnJohn]

My F350 has 2 110 outlets. I figure if the batteries get low a short extension cord out the rear window to a battery charger for a couple hours.... Figure that may only happen once a year or so. Battery charger and cord stays in the 5er anyway.

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by mfifield01

I'm looking at doing a trip out to Big Bend in October. The primitive road side sites don't allow generator usage, so I need additional power. I'm thinking I will only camp for 2 days. I feel that one battery will last one day, so I'm thinking about options for the second day. Solar could be a good option, but a second battery would be cheaper. Any thoughts?

Probably the most effective solution, cost and otherwise would be two, 6v golf cart batteries. Two days should be no problem.

For longer periods, a battery charge with a generator would be preferred over solar, IMO. If you're just worried about charging batteries, a quiet and economical 1K is all you need.

[mfifield01]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

My F350 has 2 110 outlets. I figure if the batteries get low a short extension cord out the rear window to a battery charger for a couple hours.... Figure that may only happen once a year or so. Battery charger and cord stays in the 5er anyway.

I wouldn't use the built in inverter with a battery charger, since the inverter is most likely a modified sine wave. The 110v outlet in my truck is modified.

[mfifield01]

Originally Posted by Desert185

Probably the most effective solution, cost and otherwise would be two, 6v golf cart batteries. Two days should be no problem.

For longer periods, a battery charge with a generator would be preferred over solar, IMO. If you're just worried about charging batteries, a quiet and economical 1K is all you need.

I have a quiet generator, but I can't use it. The Big Bend website states that generators are prohibited at the roadside campsites. You can use them at one campground in the park with restricted hours.

[B-O-B'03]

Originally Posted by mfifield01

I'm looking at doing a trip out to Big Bend in October. The primitive road side sites don't allow generator usage, so I need additional power. I'm thinking I will only camp for 2 days. I feel that one battery will last one day, so I'm thinking about options for the second day. Solar could be a good option, but a second battery would be cheaper. Any thoughts?

When in October and where in Big Bend?

We spent 4 days out there, last April and are going back around the 24th of October.

I have 2, 12 volt batteries and a generator, which I only ran for breakfast (coffee, toast, etc) and one time for the AC and was fine for 12 volt power.

-Brian

[mfifield01]

Originally Posted by B-O-B'03

When in October and where in Big Bend?

We spent 4 days out there, last April and are going back around the 24th of October.

I have 2, 12 volt batteries and a generator, which I only ran for breakfast (coffee, toast, etc) and one time for the AC and was fine for 12 volt power.

-Brian

I haven't booked anything yet, but I would get out there around the 15th. My initial plan is to move around the park. I would stay 2 days at Rio Grande Village (with full hookups). Get situated and look for primitive road campsites for the next 2 days near the middle. Then stay at an RV park on the west side for the last 2 days.

It looks like you stayed at the Rio Grande (no hookups) last time. Where do you plan on staying this time?

[B-O-B'03]

We actually stayed outside the park, at the old La Kiva campground.

It is not really a campground anymore, the previous owner mowed it all down, but the new owner let us dry camp by the Terlingua creek and we were the only ones around.

-Brian

[mfifield01]

Originally Posted by B-O-B'03

We actually stayed outside the park, at the old La Kiva campground.

It is not really a campground anymore, the previous owner mowed it all down, but the new owner let us dry camp by the Terlingua creek and we were the only ones around.

-Brian

Do you plan on staying there again? Have you looked at any other areas to camp?

[B-O-B'03]

Originally Posted by mfifield01

Do you plan on staying there again? Have you looked at any other areas to camp?

We have been going to the Big Bend area since the early 80s, it is our favorite place to go and have always camped at La Kiva.

It used to be quite an oasis, Gil Felts set it up and it had giant cottonwood trees an RV and tent campground and the La Kiva Bar & Restaurant.

Gil died several years ago, his nephew, Glenn Felts, inherited the place and took over running it.

Glenn focused on the bar and the campground suffered, the drip irrigation system for the landscaping failed and everything died, so he just scraped all the RV hookups and dead landscaping down.

Glenn was murdered in 2014 and John and Josie Holroyd bought it, They were renovating the bar, when we were there in April of 2015 and I believe they have completed that and reopened.

Right now there are 3 couples planning on going and I hope John will let us camp there again.

La Kiva history

-Brian

[mfifield01]

I just found out the hard way that you can't put 2 - Group 27 batteries on the front of my trailer. I need to decide between 2 - Group 24 or 2 - 6v. I really didn't want to add much tongue weight.

[mfifield01]

Best solution and great price at Costco (GC2 6V batteries). I know have 210ah up from 65ah previously. Also, true deep cycle batteries.