scarlett's boondocking thread

[Salida Scarlett]

My son and I are presently staying at an RV park here in South Central Colorado because he has to work, and we both needed to establish residency and needed a "permanent address", which is not made so simple these days by the state. It was hard enough to find a space available at first and so we camped at a free site by the river in our Class C motorhome for a number of days. I'm still trying to adjust to RV living, especially in this crowded park. We actually had more privacy, and fun, living by the river. The only thing lacking was electricity, plenty of clean potable water, and wifi. The rents are high here and very restrictive, so the idea of free parking does have an appeal. There is actually 440,000 acres of BLM and public lands surrounding this area. If a person had enough solar power and was set up properly, they could live pretty inexpensively with a minimum of inconvenience. Not for everyone I suppose, but then RV'ers aren't the average person anyway. A couple who stayed for an extended length of time down by the river had 3 portable solar panels that collected power from the high desert summer sun, and looked pretty comfy to me. Of course their rig was a large, kind of expensive looking 5th wheel set up to me and a far cry from my el cheapo Class C 22ft Shasta I bought in Spokane, when we first started this venture in June. Anyways, if I had, or knew how to set up a solar system like that, I would sure be tempted to give it a go on the BLM land, at least in the summer. I don't think it would be do-able in the winter because most of the BLM is on higher elevations, and we're already at 7,000 ft.   

 

[RJCooper]

<p>@ Scarlett, build your system over time.&nbsp; You could get a 100w plug and play system and add-on as money allowed until you get the watts need to live off grid full time.&nbsp; The money spent would be money saved in the long run.&nbsp; <br><br>If that RV park is costing $400 a month, three months of that rent could net you 600 watts and no rent over the next who knows how long.&nbsp; Something to consider.&nbsp;</p>

 

[TxGypsy]

Scarlett I just installed a solar electric system in my camper van.&nbsp; It's not hard!&nbsp; You should have an auxiliary battery somewhere in your RV.&nbsp; That's what you wire it to.&nbsp; All you need is a screwdriver and a hole in the floor to run the wires through(you probably already have several suitable holes due to water lines).&nbsp; I bought a 100 watt solar panel kit off of ebay for $220.&nbsp; The solar panel produces way more power than I use.&nbsp; My charge controller that came with the kit spends most of it's time blocking charge so that the battery doesn't get over charged.&nbsp; Currently it is charging a deep cycle marine battery, but I'll be replacing that soon with 2 batteries made for solar.&nbsp; If you are watching your pennies there is no reason you can't use the battery you already have.&nbsp; I want to expand my storage capacity for cloudy and rainy days.&nbsp; I can easily justify the expense for new batteries because I'll be saving the cost of renting an RV spot.<br><br>I also recommend looking into solar cooking.&nbsp; I am still kicking myself for not bringing my parabolic cooker, but at least I brought my solar oven.

 

[Salida Scarlett]

<p>Interesting idea Cooper. It being August in the high desert, there is still plenty of sunshine and probably will be in some or most of the winter months as well. I have been itching to have a solar system installed but not knowing much about it, figured it would be pretty pricey, and maybe more than I'd want to invest in this particular rig. There's a good chance I may not be able to travel as I'd like and have to stay here in the winter, at least until son is able to get a reasonably inexpensive apt. for himself. Yes, the RV park rates are ridiculous for what you get, a bunch of sometimes raucous&nbsp;"neighbors" and little else. The rates here are&nbsp;525 per month, plus electricity&nbsp;and whatever propane one needs. I'm not sure how I could work out urban boon docking or even&nbsp;BD on BLM land in the winter in a small motorhome, but I'd sure like to have a go at it. I've lived in&nbsp;a cabin I&nbsp;built in Wyoming at 8,000 ft, and the county doesn't plow the roads all the way in the winter. The last winter I was there we had 14 ft drifts, and me and the two sons had to walk part of the way in when it was 40 below. Thankfully, this isn't Wyoming and supposedly a much milder climate. I have a DuoTemp furnace that can run off propane or electricity, so I can only&nbsp;imagine how much money I could save in propane costs if I had adequate solar power.</p>

 

[Salida Scarlett]

Hey TXGypsy, I think you and Cooper have talked me into it. I can't stand this anymore, and I see solar every where I go around here. There has to be a reason....namely because it works for folks and a true boon for RV'ers. I love the idea of free energy, or free anything for that matter. I have looked into solar ovens and would love to have one but the parabolic cooker is a new one on me. I checked out a few links on them...not sure just how they work, or what they will do, but would like methods that won't heat up my RV in summer heat.&nbsp; Your post was so very encouraging and you made it seem simple enough that I could install&nbsp;the solar panel&nbsp;myself. I do have an auxiliary battery of course, but from the looks of both of them when I bought this rig, they aren't the newest. I could maybe spring for the solar panel and the batteries designed for solar, but&nbsp;an expensive generator will have to be put on hold because I have other fixes and things I want to do and need&nbsp;to do for my new home on wheels. I&nbsp;have a question for you or others might know of-- and that would be, is there such a thing as an electric hot water heaters for RV's? My hot water heater doesn't work in this rig, and so has been bypassed. So, if I could replace it with an electric one, that would be awesome. Thanks zillions for all your informative input.

 

[Scar]

@Scarlett: Cool name btw.&nbsp; Hate to break it to you on your quest for solar but when it comes to high output devices such as heaters it gets tough.&nbsp; A typical small space heater is 1500W for 5000BTU heat output.&nbsp; 1500W is a lot of solar to try to generate, possible if you have time and money, but something to consider.&nbsp; The other problem is that the more you need the heat (the higher and colder areas) the less solar power you will probably be able to generate just due to latitude and time in the sun.&nbsp;&nbsp; You would need quite a bit of battery ability to run electric heat at night during a rocky mountain winter.&nbsp; Just food for thought, it is possible, but you would need a pretty good system.&nbsp; Lata

 

[blars]

There are electric heaters that go into a rv water heater so you can use electric when plugged in, but they take to much power to be practical for use with solar.

 

[Salida Scarlett]

Darn it, we sometimes get our druthers frustrated. Right, I'm learning some truths from you guys, and I'm very grateful. Today, I'm a bit frustrated, wondering if we're going to have an early fall/winter. The weather went from baking hot to cold and rainy overnight. I remember the snow we had in Wyoming in the middle of August. Winter can come swiftly and violently in the Rockies. Not positively sure I will stay here, or maybe head south this fall. {{Shivering}}

 

[Salida Scarlett]

<p><br><br>Bottomline, whether we have solar power or not, it's still a real plus to have hot water, one way or another, anyway you can supply it. What I've been doing is heating water on the stove for washing dishes, or even my hair. I'd also like to have hot water for using my hand held shower in what we laughingly call the bathroom. Not sure how I could rinse off in there, but at least the water would be somewhat warm with a HWH installed.</p>

 

[user 423]

How about one of these using shore power or a 2000 watt generator: https://www.homedepot.com/s/2000%20watt%20generator?NCNI-5

 

[Salida Scarlett]

Thanks for the link and the info, Slow Day. This heater has mostly positive reviews, and the price is right. That solves "one" issue. The only drawback I can see is a whopper. Where to put it....no room under the sink that I can see, as the space is so tight already. Still, there has to be a way. I'll sure look into it...IF, I can the resident handyman to check it out soon. Thanks again! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Salida Scarlett]

Well, I'd just like to report to SlowDay, that I'm ordering the tankless hot water heater he recommended, as it looks like it can be run from&nbsp;the existing site where the old propane tank is. The water will have to travel a short distance to the sink but we can use the same lines! You guys are all amazing, and I don't know what I'd do without y'all! You too Scar, and thanks again for taking the time Slow Day. It means a lot.

 

[user 423]

Well, I'd just like to report to SlowDay, that I'm ordering the tankless hot water heater [/quote]<br><br>That has been in my bookmarks for a quite a while now. Saved for when I get that trailer or C. <br></span>

 

[Salida Scarlett]

Then it's got to be good! Actually, didn't get it&nbsp;ordered this morning, as we decided to take off and go thru the San Isabel Nat'l Forest. That was an awesome, isolated drive up some high mountains. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Isabel_National_Forest.

 

[Scar]

&nbsp;Well, now that the thread is totally fubar hijacked anyways....&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I use a solar shower (think black bag gets hot in sun w/ water in it) when I'm not using the truck stop next doors showers.&nbsp; Or I will simply heat up a couple of 32oz mugs of water in my nuker and throw them and some room temp water in the bag if I've been lazy or am in a hurry.&nbsp; (Lazy happens a lot btw)&nbsp; Just food for thought, heating up a couple mugs or a pot of water real quick and blending it with some other water to make a quick shower of a couple gallons is a lot cheaper and easier than maintaining a water system and full time heater for me.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;

 

[Salida Scarlett]

<p>Great innovations Scar. Where there's a will there's a way. Though nothing can beat a good ole hot shower, it still feels good just to be clean...I like the solar shower idea the best. More than one way to get one, right? The colder it gets here, the more moving south appeals to me, where there should be more solarability. &nbsp;Anyways, right now I'm leaning toward the tankless electric hot water heater, plus the solar panel as well. Nice set up you have up there in Idaho. It's a great state.</p>

 

[peacetara]

I totally am with the move south for the winter plan! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>Plus, there is a yearly gathering called the RTR that happens in Quartzite, AZ in January where you get to meet all these fabulous people!<br><br>It still gets cold, but it's not freezing cold, just cold <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp;<br><br>As for Solar, it is awesome for low-power things, lights (LED), laptops, tv's, cell phones, etc. &nbsp;Powering larger electric draw things like microwaves, hot water heaters, heaters, stoves/etc gets problematic, suddenly the amount of space for solar panels you need starts to approach more space than the roof of your RV (and $$'s).<br><br>But, you can always transfer the solar stuff to a new place whenever you move. &nbsp;Solar Panels are usually warrantied for 20-25 years, so they are a good long-term investment, and don't break easily!<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[Salida Scarlett]

Thanks Tara...although I don't think I'm a Quartzsite type of woman. I've been thinking if I do move south for the winter that Truth or Consequences, NM might be a better fit for me going solo, what with well over 200 days of sunshine, (good solar potential), and not so darn cold. <a href="" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"></a>&nbsp;Although the RV parks there are way less expensive than here, I'm not an RV park type person either, so the boon docking experience appeals to me. I had a link once that described an area close to T&amp;C where there was a good area there for that, but have since changed PC's and lost the link. Anyone out there with knowledge of the area? Anyways, I admire your spunk...you're a real trooper and blessing of encouragement to everyone here. <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[user 423]

It was a long time ago but I remember spending a 15 degree night in Las Cruces (70 miles south of T&amp;C) in the first week of Jan. It was my first trip to the SW and we were looking for a desert to race motorcross bikes. The locals said we needed to head west and cross the Continental Divide to find warm winter weather. We proceeded to Tucson and it was in the 70's. But then T&amp;C will be warmer than Salida, that's for sure.

 

[peacetara]

Hi Scarlett,<br><br>I wasn't suggesting staying in Quartzite, I'm with you it's not the best place to spend the winter! Myself, I'll probably head to the beaches around San Diego, but I'm a beach bum at heart, and a total wimp weather wise, after being a coastal girl for so long!<br><br>But visiting Quartzite for the RTR is something I would recommend! &nbsp;I plan on going, as do lots and lots of other people.<br><br>Thanks for saying such nice things about me! and I'm sure you will succeed wonderfully, wherever you decide to visit!<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara