Electrical for car camping

[YesClearly]

I just posted this in the Car Camping at 2019RTR but maybe this place is better.  Please forgive this clueless newbie is this is inappropriate.

I'm hoping some kind soul out there can help me.  I plan to come to both the WRTR and the RTR this year for the first time and will be camping in my 2013 CRV.  So far I have purchased a "camping bundle" which has a tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mat;  also some solar lights that Bob recently recommended.  

My BIGGEST concern right now is getting power to run my laptop and phone and maybe a few small other things.  I read some posts earlier in this forum suggesting things to buy, but my eyes started spinning and my hair started shooting out sparks.    I'm wondering if some kind person could break it down for me with links to Amazon about exactly what I would need.  I'll probably purchase a Renology 100W solar panel which I hope can sit outside the car.  (If I enjoy this as much as I think I will, I'll get a better "rig" than my CRV once I learn more at RTR workshops, so I don't want to install anything permanently in my car.) 

Item 1 - Renology 100 W Solar Panel 

What are the items (with Amazon links) that I need to make this baby provide power inside my car.  (I got tangled up in the morass of discussions about cable lengths when i tried to follow earlier posting.)

Thank you, dear hearts, for ANY suggestions you might have (with links  

 ).  This is pretty daunting for me to figure out.

 

[Seminole Wind]

need more info on what you expect to be able to do.

what model laptop? some laptops are energy hogs, other just sip along...)
how many hours a day?

for short term light usage you could just get a car charger for the laptop. maybe run you engine a bit

next step up add the solar panel with a charge controller. connect it to your main starting battery.

next step add a separate battery that the solar panel and charge controller will be hooked to instead of the starting battery. still using a car charger for the laptop. this battery could also be wired with USB to charge other devices.

then the sky is the limit from there, inverters, more solar, larger battery bank.

but need to know your usage desires first

 

[Seminole Wind]

check your PM's, i sent you a private message as well

 

[Moxadox]

Most likely all you will need is an inverter to charge your devices off your car battery. I've done this for years.

Here's one that would work for your situation. You can plug a power strip into it and charge away.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/cobra-...eZHgYa2LqANYfQo02rRoCOnQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Just remember to drive your car every day because you need to keep its battery charged.



The Dire Wolfess

 

[Seminole Wind]

Mox, while this "would" work it is far from a good solution. an 800 watt inverter for a laptop is way over kill and probably quite wasteful. this particular one does not list a low voltage shut down for battery protection and even if it has one most of these dirt cheap ones have a shut down voltage of around 10.5 this means that if you forget to turn off or unplug the inverter when youre done using it the self consumption will continue to discharge your battery and may leave you with out enough juice to start your car in the morning. also the waveform on these cheap inverters generally do not play well with electronic including battery chargers. i have seen way to many small battery charges go to an early grave due to being run on cheap inverters.

i realize you may know all of this and are willing to deal with it. i post this for everyone else that comes here

when you can buy a laptop car charger for a similar price that is more efficient and safer for the electronics one would need a compelling reason to not go with the car charger for just keeping a laptop charged

 

[YesClearly]

What are the "other small things"? They will need to be taken into account if there is a chance of using them. Some peoples small things turn out to be big electrical loads without them realizing it.

Guy

---------------------------------

"other small things" ... I'm copying that from some of the other postings I've seen.    Best current guess - lights, if the new solar lights I bought aren't enough. Possibly an iPad, but currently rarely use it.  I use my computer a lot;  some one asked what kind of computer - it's a MacBook Pro 15"

My education about what I'll need is from watching a lot of YT videos, mostly Bob's but some others; also Bob's book.  Haven't camped in years, so I'm a little short on firsthand knowledge regarding what I'll need for nearly 3 weeks of car camping.   

Janey

 

[YesClearly]

need more info on what you expect to be able to do.

what model laptop? some laptops are energy hogs, other just sip along...)
how many hours a day?

for short term light usage you could just get a car charger for the laptop. maybe run you engine a bit

next step up add the solar panel with a charge controller. connect it to your main starting battery.

next step add a separate battery that the solar panel and charge controller will be hooked to instead of the starting battery. still using a car charger for the laptop. this battery could also be wired with USB to charge other devices.

then the sky is the limit from there, inverters, more solar, larger battery bank.

but need to know your usage desires first

----------------------------------

*  My laptop is a MacBook Pro 15" and I'm on it a ridiculous amount.  Currently, at least 8 hours a day.  I suspect that will drop significantly at the RTR

*  re: car charger for laptop  (I don't know that I'll be running my engine that much while at RTR)  How often would I need to run it ... for how long?  Would I just turn the motor on and let it run for a while, or would I need to drive around?  (Is Bestek 400W Car Power Inverter something like you are referring to as a car charger?)  I'm just trying to get an idea of what to look up ...and what I would need to do to not cause sudden death or premature demise of my car battery

*  re: solar panel with charge controller connected to main starting battery. (Is that just two items total? ... I know what to look up for solar panel, but not for charge controller ... a link would help   Are there YT videos on how to do this?

*  the last thing sounds like it would provide me with enough power; I'm just not sure that I will need it after the ~3 weeks of WRTR RTR.  This is all a big adventure for me and I'm hoping to get a sense if it's something I want to pursue further.  I might be interested in getting a van or something else, so I want it to all stay pretty mobile and possibly expandable, if I go with a solar panel.

 

[YesClearly]

Mox, while this "would" work it is far from a good solution. an 800 watt inverter for a laptop is way over kill and probably quite wasteful. this particular one does not list a low voltage shut down for battery protection and even if it has one most of these dirt cheap ones have a shut down voltage of around 10.5 this means that if you forget to turn off or unplug the inverter when youre done using it the self consumption will continue to discharge your battery and may leave you with out enough juice to start your car in the morning. also the waveform on these cheap inverters generally do not play well with electronic including battery chargers. i have seen way to many small battery charges go to an early grave due to being run on cheap inverters.

i realize you may know all of this and are willing to deal with it. i post this for everyone else that comes here

when you can buy a laptop car charger for a similar price that is more efficient and safer for the electronics one would need a compelling reason to not go with the car charger for just keeping a laptop charged

---------------------------   

Yikes ... I'm sure glad you are around and responding to my questions ! 

 

[mpruet]

Getting a 100 watt solar panel might be overkill just now because you would have to get a battery, charger, inverter in addition to a solar panel. And you would have to deal with the additional complexity of a DIY system.

I'd start with one of the package systems such as a Chafon generator.  It contains all of the components that you would need and can be recharged from a wall plug, solar panel, or cigarette lighter plug.  There is a solar panel that you could purchase separately which is wired specifically for the solar generator.  That would make it much easier to set up a power source.


https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Gen...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WDVRH124YV7TR6QDZ8C2

 

[future_vandweller]

Your power/energy requirements are minimal.  This $15 inverter will more than meet your needs initially.  Once at RTR, you'll get to see what others have & be able to make an informed purchase.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Stanley-FatMax-140W-Power-Inverter-with-USB/38243758

----------------------------------

*  My laptop is a MacBook Pro 15" and I'm on it a ridiculous amount.  Currently, at least 8 hours a day.  I suspect that will drop significantly at the RTR

*  re: car charger for laptop  (I don't know that I'll be running my engine that much while at RTR)  How often would I need to run it ... for how long?  Would I just turn the motor on and let it run for a while, or would I need to drive around?  (Is Bestek 400W Car Power Inverter something like you are referring to as a car charger?)  I'm just trying to get an idea of what to look up ...and what I would need to do to not cause sudden death or premature demise of my car battery

*  re: solar panel with charge controller connected to main starting battery. (Is that just two items total? ... I know what to look up for solar panel, but not for charge controller ... a link would help   Are there YT videos on how to do this?

*  the last thing sounds like it would provide me with enough power; I'm just not sure that I will need it after the ~3 weeks of WRTR RTR.  This is all a big adventure for me and I'm hoping to get a sense if it's something I want to pursue further.  I might be interested in getting a van or something else, so I want it to all stay pretty mobile and possibly expandable, if I go with a solar panel.

 

[B and C]

When I was able to attend past RTR's there were people around (me included) with excess solar that welcomed people to charge their devices in exchange for a chat.

There will be people there with rolling power stations and plenty of solar. If you don't need your laptop for working while you are there you may find you are only using it at night when it gets too cold to be outside. This is a gathering where people meet and talk a lot. Don't be a hermit and you will make friends. Find people with rigs like you are contemplating getting and see what they have that may work for you down the road.

If you are going to be a hermit or need to work, a cheap inverter and running your engine while you charge should work OK. Don't charge off the inverter unless you car is running will ensure you don't overtax/overheat your alternator and won't leave you with a dead starter battery.

 

[Trebor English]

It has been said many times, it is easier to conserve electricity than to generate more.  

Now I use my phone for just about everything internet related.  I have figured out how to do it without a computer.  I have an old cigarette lighter socket 100 watt inverter for my electric shaver, 3 minutes per day.  

The solar panel / charge controller / starter battery combination works.  The solar controller has 2 wires, + and -, from the panel and 2 wires, + and -, to the battery.  Amazon sells folding solar panels.  For example,
https://www.amazon.com/DOKIO-Monocrystalline-Foldable-Inverter-Controller/dp/B0748GKHZ8/
It includes a small panel, 60 watts, and a charge controller with USB ports for phones, etc.  You can park facing South and lean it against the windshield.  

Unless you need the big computer for work try turning it off for a few days.  Save the electricity and enjoy the freedom.

 

[Neal]

I have the Bestek 300 watt inverter that plugs into your cigarette lighter it has a built in 40 amp fuse. I'm charging my Samsung Book with no problem. It comes with two outlets and two USB ports. And best of all it's under $30.00 on Amazon.

 

[YesClearly]

Getting a 100 watt solar panel might be overkill just now because you would have to get a battery, charger, inverter in addition to a solar panel. And you would have to deal with the additional complexity of a DIY system.

I'd start with one of the package systems such as a Chafon generator.  It contains all of the components that you would need and can be recharged from a wall plug, solar panel, or cigarette lighter plug.  There is a solar panel that you could purchase separately which is wired specifically for the solar generator.  That would make it much easier to set up a power source.


https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Gen...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WDVRH124YV7TR6QDZ8C2

Thank you, MPruet, for your suggestions.  I talked with Seminole Wind about a week ago and he carefully laid out 4 scenarios for likely options.  Given that I haven't camped in decades, and this will be my first time at RTR ... and I'll be in my Honda CRV, I went with the low-fi approach.    I bought an amazing small folding portable solar panel (Ryno Tuff Solar Charger 21W dual USB), solar lights that Bob's latest test recommends (KK.BOL Solar Lamp Portable), BatPower UL Listed 120W Car Charger for MacBook Pro, and a couple of battery power banks -- all on Amazon, where I single-handed have kept them afloat for the last week.  These items were just the "start" of massive camping purchasing for someone who started with nada. 

 

[YesClearly]

I have the Bestek 300 watt inverter that plugs into your cigarette lighter it has a built in 40 amp fuse. I'm charging my Samsung Book with no problem. It comes with two outlets and two USB ports. And best of all it's under $30.00 on Amazon.

Thanks, Neal.  I ended up getting a BatPower UL listed 120W car charger for MacBook Pro to keep my computer charged.  (I wonder if I should have gotten the Bestek instead? ... ugh ... sooooooo many decision.)  Then a small folding solar panel and solar lights, and battery banks to keep things humming along ... I hope.    (More details in above response.)

 

[YesClearly]

When I was able to attend past RTR's there were people around (me included) with excess solar that welcomed people to charge their devices in exchange for a chat.

There will be people there with rolling power stations and plenty of solar.  If you don't need your laptop for working while you are there you may find you are only using it at night when it gets too cold to be outside.  This is a gathering where people meet and talk a lot.  Don't be a hermit and you will make friends.  Find people with rigs like you are contemplating getting and see what they have that may work for you down the road.

If you are going to be a hermit or need to work, a cheap inverter and running your engine while you charge should work OK.  Don't charge off the inverter unless you car is running will ensure you don't overtax/overheat your alternator and won't leave you with a dead starter battery.

Thank you, B and C ... stuck in Houston

Howdy, Texan.  I'm from Texas originally, and the twang lives on ... a bit ... even after many years in California 

That's wise advice you've given.  I'm coming to RTR to learn and to meet folks, and I certainly don't want to be in my car unless the cold chases me there.  As you point out, it'd be good to have access to my computer in the evening when it gets cold, so that's the main power draw that I anticipate.  Good to know about others offering solar for chat ... I'm down for that.    I bought a "BatPower Car Charger for MacBook Pro";  I'll be driving occasionally to keep it charged.    Also bought some small solar panels, lights, battery packs, etc.

 

[YesClearly]

It has been said many times, it is easier to conserve electricity than to generate more.  

Now I use my phone for just about everything internet related.  I have figured out how to do it without a computer.  I have an old cigarette lighter socket 100 watt inverter for my electric shaver, 3 minutes per day.  

The solar panel / charge controller / starter battery combination works.  The solar controller has 2 wires, + and -, from the panel and 2 wires, + and -, to the battery.  Amazon sells folding solar panels.  For example,
https://www.amazon.com/DOKIO-Monocrystalline-Foldable-Inverter-Controller/dp/B0748GKHZ8/
It includes a small panel, 60 watts, and a charge controller with USB ports for phones, etc.  You can park facing South and lean it against the windshield.  

Unless you need the big computer for work try turning it off for a few days.  Save the electricity and enjoy the freedom.

Thank you, Trebor English.  I won't be working while at RTR, and don't plan much computer usage.  I'm still getting used to how this forum works and where responses show up etc.  I'll be repeating myself here from a post I did a few minutes ago.  Sorry if that is something that also pops up in your feed.  This is a bit confusing for me.

I talked with Seminole Wind about a week ago and he carefully laid out 4 scenarios for likely options.  Given that I haven't camped in decades, and this will be my first time at RTR ... and I'll be in my Honda CRV, I went with the low-fi approach.    I bought an amazing small folding portable solar panel (Ryno Tuff Solar Charger 21W dual USB), solar lights that Bob's latest test recommends (KK.BOL Solar Lamp Portable), BatPower UL Listed 120W Car Charger for MacBook Pro, and a couple of battery power banks -- all on Amazon, where I single-handed have kept them afloat for the last week.  These items were just the "start" of massive camping purchasing for someone who started with nada. 

 

[Seminole Wind]

congrats, you are on your way. looking forward to hearing how these end up working out for you. hope i get to meet you at the RTR

 

[YesClearly]

congrats, you are on your way. looking forward to hearing how these end up working out for you. hope i get to meet you at the RTR

I hope to meet you, Kenny.  You are the only person I have talked with, so this is a little like wandering into the unknown for me.    Your walk-through of my electrical options helped me to get "unstuck" and move forward with getting things I needed for car camping.  Much appreciated.    

 

[Seminole Wind]

i'll msg you with the location i camp when i get there