profdant139
Southern California
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Joined: 11/14/2005
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May 22, 2018, in the Sequoia National Forest, south of Grant Grove. That's the Great Western Divide to the southeast. The picture makes it look like the trailer is perched on the edge of a cliff, on top of a steeply sloping granite slab. It's misleading -- there is no cliff, and the slab was reasonably level:
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/moz5XORl.jpg )
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/m3zZPvb.png) Click For Full-Size Image.
2012 Fun Finder X-139 "Boondock Style" (axle-flipped and extra insulation)
2013 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road (semi-beefy tires and components)
Our trips -- pix and text
About our trailer
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single list."
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JimHanus
Richmond, MI
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Joined: 10/10/2013
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![[image]](https://www.michiganimaging.com/media/boondock1.jpg)
Pigeon River Country State Forest, Northern Michigan. We are able to go 10 days on batteries alone. We do have a generator but seldom use it.
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memtb
Wyoming
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Joined: 10/21/2006
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Sweet!
Todd & Marianne
Miniature Schnauzer's - Sundai, Nellie & Maggie Mae
2007 Dodge Ram 3500, 6.7 Cummins, 6 speed manual, 3.73 ratio, 4x4
2004 Teton Grand Freedom, 39'
2007 Bigfoot 30MH26Sl
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profdant139
Southern California
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Jim, how do you get ten days out of the batteries --do you have solar??
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steveh27
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
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I also boondock in the Pigeon River Country State Forest. I do it in early October and have seen 2 big bull elk and hear them bugling.
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JimHanus
Richmond, MI
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profdant139 wrote:Jim, how do you get ten days out of the batteries --do you have solar??
Have been looking at solar for years but can't afford it. We do a lot of little things to make the batteries last. We didn't have a generator at first, so we had to learn how to milk the batteries. I have 2 separate batteries, both Lifeline AGM group 31 which are a bit expensive (around $350 each), but work great. I don't baby them, (leave them in the trailer year round) through Michigan winters. I've had one for 9 years and one for 7 years without any hint of failure. Replaced the 9 year one last year as I was starting to get a little worried it would quit on me some day. Still use it in the garage as it holds a charge almost forever. They go through a 3 way switch so I can run each separate. I use one until it's down to about 75% then switch to the other battery. That way if I drain one accidentally I still have a backup. The Lifelines can be run down to zero without damage (I've done it accidentally several times) but I wouldn't recommend it as I'm sure it shortens the battery life. When I charge them I do each separately also.
I also use an ammeter in line so I can monitor current draw (biggest draw is the furnace at about 7 amps). I've replaced all the bulbs with LED's. The standard bulbs can draw an amp or more per bulb, whereas the LED's are about 1/10 of that.
We make a point of minimizing battery use by using a propane lantern outside at night, and have flashlights for inside the trailer. Also have a Coleman coffee maker that works on the propane stove. I'm not saying my way will work for everyone, but it works for us.
The ammeter is a zero center (I've replaced it with a 30A version) so I can see charge or discharge. I installed a digital volt meter that can show me the state of charge also.
![[image]](https://www.michiganimaging.com/media/ammeter.jpg) ![[image]](https://www.michiganimaging.com/media/voltmeter.jpg)
* This post was
edited 06/19/18 09:55am by JimHanus *
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JimHanus
Richmond, MI
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steveh27 wrote:I also boondock in the Pigeon River Country State Forest. I do it in early October and have seen 2 big bull elk and hear them bugling.
Where do you set up camp? Do you hunt?
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steveh27
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
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JimHanus wrote:steveh27 wrote:I also boondock in the Pigeon River Country State Forest. I do it in early October and have seen 2 big bull elk and hear them bugling.
Where do you set up camp? Do you hunt?
I've tried grouse hunting there, but never saw nor heard one. I'm keeping my exact spot secret to not have it taken when I go. There are many spots to camp.
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JimHanus
Richmond, MI
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steveh27 wrote:JimHanus wrote:steveh27 wrote:I also boondock in the Pigeon River Country State Forest. I do it in early October and have seen 2 big bull elk and hear them bugling.
Where do you set up camp? Do you hunt?
I've tried grouse hunting there, but never saw nor heard one. I'm keeping my exact spot secret to not have it taken when I go. There are many spots to camp.
I grouse hunt, no deer. I've been camping there (mostly boondocking)for over 50 years. Maybe we'll cross paths this October. Here's my website for the area: Pigeon River Country by Jim Hanus
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memtb
Wyoming
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We spend or at least use to, three(3) weeks every year....boondocking and elk hunting. Hope to start spending more time out!
Solar is great, but in the fall/winter, with cold weather, short days, and long (cold) nights....you would need quite a system.
We have six (6) panels and six (6) batteries.....and still have to use the generator a bit. Though, we’re pretty wasteful. We probably average 3 hours television/day, plus the furnace runs a lot when the temps are in single digits. But....that’s winter camping!
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/gs4zDbtl.jpg)
* This post was
edited 06/19/18 03:02pm by memtb *
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![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/moz5XOR.jpg )
