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First Post - Going to Utah/Arizona in October

trip planning teardrop trailer first-timers

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#11 searching for nowhere

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Posted 19 August 2020 - 07:54 AM

I know nothing about electricity and I was able to install solar panels and have them charge my batteries.  I followed the wiring directions that came with the solar battery controller.  The controller also has a display that tells you how much charge your battery has.  You don't want to let it get below 50%.   


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#12 Ronin

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Posted 19 August 2020 - 04:20 PM

I don't know where you are in Wa but one possible route would be to head towards Burns Or and explore the Steens. From there you can go to Great Basin NP, then pick a route from there to Bryce Cyn or Zion. One possible route is to head south to Cathedral Gorge SP in Nv. From there it's a straight shot to Cedar Breaks, Bryce Cyn or Zion. It's easy for me to say to skip the NPs but I've seen them several times and they are beautiful. Escalante is well worth spending a few days exploring and the campsite are all excellent. Kodachrome is especially nice and a good jumping off point to the Grand Cyn. 

Depending on your comfort level and expectations there are countless places to boondock to keep you away from the crowds which would normally dissipate by October. But things have changed!! Good luck on your planning and have a great adventure!!

 

Edit: I use a 120W flat panel suitcase solar charger if I know I'll be in the same place for 3 or more days. It has a built in controller and you just connect it straight to your battery. I'm seldom in one place for more than a day so charging off my truck is usually all I need.


Edited by Ronin, 19 August 2020 - 04:29 PM.

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#13 takesiteasy

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Posted 19 August 2020 - 06:56 PM

Awesome takesiteasy! Ill definitely check that out. I was looking into using the alternator but since its my wife's Subaru I don't have as much under the hood space. Do you end up having both batteries sitting under to hood connected to the alternator?

 

So for the charger is it just a trickle/normal charger that you set up at a campsite? Because I was thinking of doing that for a temporary option until we have a more stable situation for connecting to shore power/solar.

 

At some point I would like to mount solar panels but that seems like an expensive option plus Ill still have to figure out the wiring.

 

Thanks 

-Devin

We have the camper house battery under the hood wired to the alternator using the IBS separator.  We also have an extra battery in the camper charged only by solar. I plan to hook it up to the alternator some day.

 

The battery charger is an 8 amp smart charger by Battery Minder.


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#14 CoreyTrevor

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Posted 20 August 2020 - 01:48 AM

I second using a Noco charger, at least for now until you get solar or the car set up to charge. They are like Battery Tenders in that you can leave them hooked up all the time. If you keep that 15A one connected all the time, your battery would probably stay near 100% all the time, unless you have some large amp items in the trailer. You can (should) leave it hooked up while using power in the trailer and it will just kick in to top up the battery when needed, but won't overcharge it.

 

You said you are kind of an electrical newb, so if you don't know already:

 

With any type of lead acid battery, the lifespan is largely determined by how much of the time you can keep the battery near fully charged. You can draw down to 50% or so SOC without severely shortening lifespan, but if you recharge sooner, the battery will last longer.

 

So, don't draw a bunch of amp-hours out, then let the battery stay discharged if you can avoid that, if you want to get the most life out of it.

 

Welcome, and I hope you have a great trip!


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#15 Vic Harder

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Posted 29 August 2020 - 12:31 AM

Yup, try not togobelow 50% often. To know that, get a battery monitor with a shunt. Victron BMV 712 is what I use
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#16 devandjaz

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Posted 08 September 2020 - 03:45 AM

Voltage display1
Battery2
Battery1

 

So this is the setup I have currently. The meter on the third picture I believe just shows the voltage draw on the battery. So I would definitely need to connect a monitor somehow into the system to be able to monitor that. 


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#17 OutToLunch

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Posted 08 September 2020 - 07:02 PM

Since you’re coming from the northwest, I’d second the Great Basin NP idea, great park, isolated, and not heavily visited.  The caverns are interesting.  

 

On the way to Bryce, some nice camping/boondocking at Big Flats which is west of Beaver, Utah on 153.  Bullion Falls (75 feet) outside of Marysdale.

 

If it is dry, Cottonwood Canyon Road south out of Kodachrome Basin State Park is scenic.  Some boondocking along Cottonwood.  

 

Buckskin Gulch off of House Rock Road is a great slot canyon to hike but can’t vouch for House Rock Road for your trailer as I haven’t been up it this year.  Just be aware of the weather.  Condor siting at southern end of the road and at Navajo Bridge over the Colorado River at 89A.


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#18 LuckyDan

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Posted 08 September 2020 - 09:15 PM

To me that looks like a well done system.

To follow the standard 50% advice, that meter in the picture should work. It should show the no load or resting state of charge in volts. The easy way to tell is just turn some stuff on and see if it shows a drop then comes back up when you turn stuff off. There are several charts and discussions on batteries and maintenance here and elsewhere. Below is a short article with a standard state of charge chart for AGM batteries, as it appears that’s what you have.

https://electronics....arge-percentage

As for periodic charging off a campsite plug I too suggest just taking along a plug in charger or for more money one of the all in one suitcase style solar chargers. I have a NOCO charger and as mentioned it does work well but any portable charger will work.

For the stuff to see places to stay question, all I can add is coming from Washington, there is a TON of stuff available. As mentioned it really depends your chosen route south. As for camping, there is TONS of boondocking opportunities and lots of campgrounds to choose from. I’m more a fan of the North Rim than the South but both are nice. I like Great Basin NP though I haven’t been there since it part of it burned a few years ago. The Steens is nice and the aspens should be in fall color. As mentioned October is on the cusps of being late for part of your trip, but shouldn’t be too late. That said I’d check ahead if there is some place specific you have in mind.

Good luck.

On review of your photos, I think your battery is lead acid. I first thought it was mounted on its side, thus the AGM decision. The link to the chart will be off a little as its for AGM. There are several for lead acid too, just google it.

Edited by LuckyDan, 08 September 2020 - 09:50 PM.

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#19 devandjaz

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Posted 09 September 2020 - 02:35 AM

To me that looks like a well done system.

To follow the standard 50% advice, that meter in the picture should work. It should show the no load or resting state of charge in volts. The easy way to tell is just turn some stuff on and see if it shows a drop then comes back up when you turn stuff off. There are several charts and discussions on batteries and maintenance here and elsewhere. Below is a short article with a standard state of charge chart for AGM batteries, as it appears that’s what you have.

https://electronics....arge-percentage

As for periodic charging off a campsite plug I too suggest just taking along a plug in charger or for more money one of the all in one suitcase style solar chargers. I have a NOCO charger and as mentioned it does work well but any portable charger will work.

For the stuff to see places to stay question, all I can add is coming from Washington, there is a TON of stuff available. As mentioned it really depends your chosen route south. As for camping, there is TONS of boondocking opportunities and lots of campgrounds to choose from. I’m more a fan of the North Rim than the South but both are nice. I like Great Basin NP though I haven’t been there since it part of it burned a few years ago. The Steens is nice and the aspens should be in fall color. As mentioned October is on the cusps of being late for part of your trip, but shouldn’t be too late. That said I’d check ahead if there is some place specific you have in mind.

Good luck.

On review of your photos, I think your battery is lead acid. I first thought it was mounted on its side, thus the AGM decision. The link to the chart will be off a little as its for AGM. There are several for lead acid too, just google it.

Thanks for that help LuckyDan. So I am thinking of replacing this battery. He said it was 5 years old. Would you recommend swapping to an AGM battery? 


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#20 searching for nowhere

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Posted 11 September 2020 - 02:28 AM

Here are some places you can stay on the way.  I've stayed at them and found them all relaxing and peaceful which is appreciated after spending a full day driving.  And later October you won't need a reservation (I think).  I add the "I think" because I keep hearing how the number of campers is increasing.  But also know that in the more remote locations, if a campground is full no one will stop you from just parking for a night somewhere in the campground.  Often you can use the boat launch parking lot for a night. 

 

Also with your planning, don't look for a public campground an hour either side of Boise along I-84.  There isn't any.   

 

Plitcher Creek Reservoir

 

Murtaugh Lake County Park

 

Curlew Campground

 

Hickison Petroglyth Recreation 

 

I'll also second the recommendation for the Steens, but you can't see everything in one trip.  Perhaps save it for a second trip.   


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