Living off-grid on 12vdc

[netmaestro]

My wife and I are embarking on an adventure. We will spend the next several months to a year (depending on how it goes) living in our camper trailer and travelling across the country. While we will be carrying about 100lbs of propane and a small gas generator with us, we are planning to stick mainly to 12vdc for our power needs. To that end, we're acquiring a small bank of deep-cycle marine batteries and the goal is to keep them topped off with wind and solar power. For the wind side, we are building a homemade wind turbine. Here is the project in its embryo stage, there will be much more to come:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPYWJiuy ... r_embedded

[Nituvious]

Don't forget about solar cell panels to place on top of your trailer and aimed at the sun! They are fairly cheap nowadays.

[rsts]

Sounds like quite an adventure.

Do keep us informed, as much as you are able.

cheers

[IdeasVacuum]

.... Fantastic! Would be wonderful if we could follow your adventure via the Captain's log.

[c4s]

.... Fantastic! Would be wonderful if we could follow your adventure via the Captain's log.

Yes please!

[MachineCode]

Damn, you look nothing like I imagined.

[luis]

Damn, you look nothing like I imagined.

I was expecting him to be green, at least.

"by helped... I mean... she painted it!"

[electrochrisso]

My wife and I are embarking on an adventure. We will spend the next several months to a year (depending on how it goes) living in our camper trailer and travelling across the country. While we will be carrying about 100lbs of propane and a small gas generator with us, we are planning to stick mainly to 12vdc for our power needs. To that end, we're acquiring a small bank of deep-cycle marine batteries and the goal is to keep them topped off with wind and solar power. For the wind side, we are building a homemade wind turbine. Here is the project in its embryo stage, there will be much more to come:

Way to go NM, I have been on 12v for half of my life, and you don't need a lot of power to run the electronics of today, check this out:
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/sho ... ysprune=75

I use my netbook a lot to keep the power consumption down.

[srod]

Wow. That's quite a thing to embark upon for sure; quite an adventure.

Will you be growing your own food? I think fangles has a few sheep going spare if you're in need; though I can't vouch for their quality!

Very impressed.

I wish you luck with this Lloyd.

[Lost]

Sounds like a great adventure!

[deeproot]

My best wishes with this also - sounds great and interesting because we have been talking about something similar, though perhaps not quite as ambitious!

We use a motor-home (RV) - fairly standard, mid-sized European type. Already do trips of about 6 weeks but like to extend to between 3 and 6 months. Solar panels will be fitted shortly, looked at turbines but mounting is relatively tricky - will keep under review. We've met quite a few people who manage long-term on 12v.

[Fangbeast]

Have a great trip NetMaestro, you deserve the holiday. Be careful out there, the roads are lined with srod's abused underpants (and those suckers can take the lining right off the tyres!!!)

[srod]

Be careful out there, the roads are lined with srod's abused underpants (and those suckers can take the lining right off the tyres!!!)

Not to mention the roads!

[blueb]

My wife and I are embarking on an adventure. We will spend the next several months to a year (depending on how it goes) living in our camper trailer and travelling across the country....

Does that mean you'll let me buy you a beer when you get to my area?

[netmaestro]

Yes, for sure! I've never met anyone from the forums in person before so that will be a first.