When a person starts off on round two of their traveling life, they need to stay open-minded and flexible so they can do a better job than in round one, not that round one really needed much improvement. But without improvement and progress, what are we to do with ourselves?
It's easy to become bored and jaded with the progress in gadgets: thinner, lighter, more gigabytes, etc. How about some progress in some other field?
In the traveling biz there has been remarkable progress, back around 2000, when Honda brought out that remarkable line of alternator/ inverter-based generators. Quiet and fuel-sipping.
Of course a chain is no stronger than its weakest link: I'm not sure whether the RV industry has modernized their converter/chargers; they used to just put out 13.6 volts, which can not fully or quickly charge a battery. But there has been remarkable progress in bringing the cost down of real, three stage, battery chargers that put out 14.X volts DC, and twiddle the "X" based on temperature. You can buy one for $60 at Walmart. I bought a Xantrex 40 Amp charger of this kind from DonRowe.com several years ago. Completely pleased.
Now if only there were a little progress in batteries!
Still, I had to smile this morning when I was sucking down the morning cup of joe. I had my little generator running, giving the batteries their dawn cup of joe, starting with 40 amp espresso, no creme. Perhaps I shouldn't even be running the generator at dawn; if I had neighbors I would become unpopular. But I have little patience for solar charging in the winter; it doesn't really get going until 10 a.m.
If only RV bloggers would stop over-praising solar panels! They're useful and worth having, but they're not divine. It's easy to expect too much from them.
In summary: they should encourage the newbies to first buy one of those quiet Honda 1000 watt generators, and then pair it to a modern, three stage charger that puts out 14.1--14.3 volts DC for quick and complete charging. Then over time, a person can add solar panels to complete and maintain the charge during the day, and keep the generator usage to a sensible minimum, perhaps one hour per day.
It's easy to become bored and jaded with the progress in gadgets: thinner, lighter, more gigabytes, etc. How about some progress in some other field?
In the traveling biz there has been remarkable progress, back around 2000, when Honda brought out that remarkable line of alternator/ inverter-based generators. Quiet and fuel-sipping.
Of course a chain is no stronger than its weakest link: I'm not sure whether the RV industry has modernized their converter/chargers; they used to just put out 13.6 volts, which can not fully or quickly charge a battery. But there has been remarkable progress in bringing the cost down of real, three stage, battery chargers that put out 14.X volts DC, and twiddle the "X" based on temperature. You can buy one for $60 at Walmart. I bought a Xantrex 40 Amp charger of this kind from DonRowe.com several years ago. Completely pleased.
Now if only there were a little progress in batteries!
Still, I had to smile this morning when I was sucking down the morning cup of joe. I had my little generator running, giving the batteries their dawn cup of joe, starting with 40 amp espresso, no creme. Perhaps I shouldn't even be running the generator at dawn; if I had neighbors I would become unpopular. But I have little patience for solar charging in the winter; it doesn't really get going until 10 a.m.
If only RV bloggers would stop over-praising solar panels! They're useful and worth having, but they're not divine. It's easy to expect too much from them.
In summary: they should encourage the newbies to first buy one of those quiet Honda 1000 watt generators, and then pair it to a modern, three stage charger that puts out 14.1--14.3 volts DC for quick and complete charging. Then over time, a person can add solar panels to complete and maintain the charge during the day, and keep the generator usage to a sensible minimum, perhaps one hour per day.
Comments
Wandrin, Naturally a camper with an unregenerate camping style would sell off his generator. (grin)
I know an RV boondocker who might have wanted to buy that Honda generator off of you, but he was never given a chance. Sniffle.