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ken0042 · 06-20-2016, 12:49 PM

Here's my list again:
Standby Mode:
Secondary 12 volt outlet- 0.6 watts
Stereo and CO detector- 2 watts (Both are on same circuit)

Usage Mode:
1157 LED bulbs- 3.3 watts (each)
921 LED bulbs- 1.1 watts (each)
Stereo playing USB video; volume between 2 to 4- 14 watts
Stereo playing USB video; volume at 12- 18 watts
Furnace motor- 33 watts
RCA 19” TV- 20 watts
Antenna power booster- 1.5 watts
Water pump- 36 watts normally, 48 watts at startup
Water Heater- 8 watts when heating
Fridge- 3.5 watts (constant)

To conserve myself, I only use the water heater when needed. Even fire it up in the morning, then shut it down after. Once the water is pretty warm, it doesn't take long to heat up again. I also use the furnace sparingly, I will run it for a while before bed then drop the temperature. Once everybody is in the trailer you have the body heat that keeps it from dropping too much.

I also upgraded to a 70 watt solar panel from Costco. The 40 watt panel was never a problem, but having that extra bit of power is a nice safety net. This year they had an 80 watt version in store for $180.

As mentioned, generator is handy if you want power for A/C, microwave and other "120 volt only" items. The problem with using one to charge your battery is that you need to run it for a while to actually put enough power back in. With a solar panel it is trickle charging all day long.

I replaced my battery this year (old one was 5 years old.) I looked at going with two 6 volt batteries and decided against it. I feel that having a solar panel is a better option to spend the extra dollars on. I ended up going with a group 31 battery as opposed to a group 27 battery; which has 20% more power. Battery manufacturers are steering people away from Amp Hours as a way to rate batteries, but I still like it as it allows for you to do your own math. Basically a group 27 battery will give you 100 amp hours. Group 31 will give you 120. Having two 6 volt batteries will give you 240, but then again so will two group 31 batteries.

The other thing to watch is when you are measuring your battery. A fully charged battery will show about 12.6 volts. Run the furnace or water pump and it will show 10.5 to 11 volts when running. Check it again right after shutting off the furnace and you will only see 11.5 volts. However if you use very little power for the next 30 minutes, the battery will show 12.55 volts. That is also why I use an actual power meter, and do not rely on the sensor that is with your tank levels.

06-20-2016, 12:49 PM	#64
ken0042 Playboy Mansion Poolboy Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Close enough to make a beer run during a TV timeout Exp:	Here's my list again: Standby Mode: Secondary 12 volt outlet- 0.6 watts Stereo and CO detector- 2 watts (Both are on same circuit) Usage Mode: 1157 LED bulbs- 3.3 watts (each) 921 LED bulbs- 1.1 watts (each) Stereo playing USB video; volume between 2 to 4- 14 watts Stereo playing USB video; volume at 12- 18 watts Furnace motor- 33 watts RCA 19” TV- 20 watts Antenna power booster- 1.5 watts Water pump- 36 watts normally, 48 watts at startup Water Heater- 8 watts when heating Fridge- 3.5 watts (constant) To conserve myself, I only use the water heater when needed. Even fire it up in the morning, then shut it down after. Once the water is pretty warm, it doesn't take long to heat up again. I also use the furnace sparingly, I will run it for a while before bed then drop the temperature. Once everybody is in the trailer you have the body heat that keeps it from dropping too much. I also upgraded to a 70 watt solar panel from Costco. The 40 watt panel was never a problem, but having that extra bit of power is a nice safety net. This year they had an 80 watt version in store for $180. As mentioned, generator is handy if you want power for A/C, microwave and other "120 volt only" items. The problem with using one to charge your battery is that you need to run it for a while to actually put enough power back in. With a solar panel it is trickle charging all day long. I replaced my battery this year (old one was 5 years old.) I looked at going with two 6 volt batteries and decided against it. I feel that having a solar panel is a better option to spend the extra dollars on. I ended up going with a group 31 battery as opposed to a group 27 battery; which has 20% more power. Battery manufacturers are steering people away from Amp Hours as a way to rate batteries, but I still like it as it allows for you to do your own math. Basically a group 27 battery will give you 100 amp hours. Group 31 will give you 120. Having two 6 volt batteries will give you 240, but then again so will two group 31 batteries. The other thing to watch is when you are measuring your battery. A fully charged battery will show about 12.6 volts. Run the furnace or water pump and it will show 10.5 to 11 volts when running. Check it again right after shutting off the furnace and you will only see 11.5 volts. However if you use very little power for the next 30 minutes, the battery will show 12.55 volts. That is also why I use an actual power meter, and do not rely on the sensor that is with your tank levels.