Dry camping and lights...
Curt Martin
the regular incandescent lights to flourescent. Most places that sell
the flourescents claim power usage benefits just short of actually
charging your batteries while using them.
I hadn't given it much thought untill last weekend when we went out with
some friends who have an old class C about the same year as our
southwind (89). I couldn't get over how bright there lights were, he
told me he swapped the old ones for flourescent fixtures and it was the
best thing he had ever done. I'm nearly sold, but would like to hear
from some folks who have these and mostly dry camp. Mainly are you
happy with this setup, and how well do the tubes hold out?
In the last 8 years of owning a couple different campers, we have only
been plugged into shore power twice that I can remember. It was never a
huge concern with the truck camper, since there wasn't a whole lot of
goodies to draw power, and anything that was left on was easily
detectable. With this 33 foot rig that has all changed, not that we
have drained the batts, but with winter coming on, we will be out in
cold weather alot, sometimes for a week or ten days at a time, and since
it will be mostly dark we will be running more lights than we have so
far in this rig (only had it about 2 months)so anything that can prolong
the batteries would be great.
BTW-the first thing I did was put 2 new house batteries in the coach.
The single battery that came new in my slide in 95 was still going
strong this summer when I sold it, I hope to keep these for at least
that long.
Any info from folks who use the flourescents would be great, thanks - Curt
Ralph Lindberg & Ellen Winnie
Curt Martin <Cu...@GCI.NOSPAM.net> wrote:
> I've read a few things lately on different RV sights about swapping from
> the regular incandescent lights to flourescent. Most places that sell
> the flourescents claim power usage benefits just short of actually
> charging your batteries while using them.
>
> I hadn't given it much thought untill last weekend when we went out with
> some friends who have an old class C about the same year as our
> southwind (89). I couldn't get over how bright there lights were, he
> told me he swapped the old ones for flourescent fixtures and it was the
> best thing he had ever done. I'm nearly sold, but would like to hear
> from some folks who have these and mostly dry camp. Mainly are you
> happy with this setup, and how well do the tubes hold out?
>
I did it on both of the last two rigs and will do it on all future
rigs.
Don't scrimp, buy good fixtures. They will keep the RF noise down and
you will not regret it. They also are brighter and use less power.
I also put a small (30 watt) set of panels on the RV. With that I
don't (assuming some good light) every run out of power.
--
Ralph Lindberg personal email n7...@amsat.org
RV and Camping FAQ http://kendaco.telebyte.com/rlindber/rv
If Windows is the answer I would really like to know what the question is
Bob Giddings
wrote:
>I've read a few things lately on different RV sights about swapping from
>the regular incandescent lights to flourescent. Most places that sell
>the flourescents claim power usage benefits just short of actually
>charging your batteries while using them.
>
>I hadn't given it much thought untill last weekend when we went out with
>some friends who have an old class C about the same year as our
>southwind (89). I couldn't get over how bright there lights were, he
snip
I think you have all the information you need. None of the bulbs in a
camper uses a great deal of power, but vary greatly in light
delivered. I put a fluorescent fixture over my desk/dining table, and
it is much brighter than the incandescent it replaced. According to
the rating, it consumes less power and lasts longer. I cannot vouch
for this, as I have only had the camper 2 years. That is not enough
to burn out either type of bulb as I use them, and I have no way to
measure the tiny amount of power involved. I use this light more than
any other. It illuminates the entire 27 foot camper for anything but
detail work. Get one at a time, and try it out.
I got this one:
http://www.backwoodssolar.com/Catalogpages2/lights2.htm
Look for L-949
I also added some halogen reading lamps. (LQ-read on the same page.)
These are great for focused light, but whatever you get pay attention
to whether the bulb has a focusing lens in front of it, as these do.
This can be fixed, as in this case, or variable. The lens used in
this type of bulb makes a big difference in delivering an adequate
amount of light on target.
But if you are camping in winter, every other power use will be
dwarfed by the 5 amp fan motor in your heater fan. If you are worried
about draining your battery, that should be your focus.
Get an Olympic heater for use in the daytime. I wouldn't trust an
unvented heater, however efficient, while you are sleeping. I'd
rather trust a down comforter and house shoes.
Bob
Richard Ferguson
camping. The furnace uses the other half of the power. The fan draws
more than several light bulbs, and it can run while you are asleep or in
the daytime. (Obviously, the furnace run time is a function of the
temperature). The solar panels are also less effective in the winter,
especially if the panel is flat on the roof, due to the angle of the sun
and the limited hours of daylight.
If you do not have a generator, you may want to set up heavy (like 2
gauge or 0 guage) cables from the truck to the trailer. The standard
cables will only pass small amounts of current. If you have a
generator, you will probably be OK running it a couple of hours a day.
Richard
Larrie Malobenski
go cheap, the low cost units don't give off as much light and don't resist
wear and tear. You mentioned cold weather camping which unfortunately is
where fluorescents fall down. When they are cold fluorescents do not put out
very much light until they warm up (sometimes they never do). Try putting a
few in gradually to see how they work. Avoid using them in spots where you
need a lot of light immediately in all conditions. Also consider high
intensity white LED clusters. They can be bought with lamp bases that can go
in most present 12v fixtures. Pricey but very power conservative.
Neon John
>I've read a few things lately on different RV sights about swapping from
>the regular incandescent lights to flourescent. Most places that sell
>the flourescents claim power usage benefits just short of actually
>charging your batteries while using them.
They pretty much do what is claimed. Just compare the power spec to that of
an incandescent bulb.
The only thing I don't like about the fluorescents I've looked at are that
they all seem to be equipped with cool white lamps. This is a bluish white
light and makes the RV seem cool and out of place in the woods. Warm white
lamps are still too cool for my tastes. Compact fluorescents all pretty much
use a very warm phosphor that mimicks the color temperature of incandescent
lamps. I've seen 12v CF fixtures advertised on alternative power sites. I
have not found a conventional fluorescent bulb in this phosphor.
What I've done, given that I have a neon shop, is make some lights using the
same phosphor as the CF. The advantage to neon is that the tube lasts forever
and I can bend it to fit the spaces. I plan to do little miniature cove
lighting when I get a round tuit. Neon (actually cold cathode fluorescent) is
a little more efficient than conventional fluorescents because the electrodes
remain cool. If you're serious about power conservation, you might
investigate local neon shops to see if anyone can make you some tubes. The
tubing I use is a tri-phosphor by Tecnolux and is called "incandescent".
John
---
John De Armond
johngdDO...@bellsouth.net
http://personal.bellsouth.net/~johngd (old)
http://bellsouthpwp.net/j/o/johngd/ (new)
Cleveland, Occupied TN
Dennis Vogel
reading or other close work.
Most fluorescence's don't give enough red spectrum light. You cannot see it
if you aren't looking for it but it does wear on you (not having the red
spectrum). This applies only if fluorescence is the only source of light.
Dennis
"Larrie Malobenski" <lmal...@alltel.net> wrote in message
news:zlli9.2631$xp5.2...@news.alltel.net...
S. Bourg
> I've read a few things lately on different RV sights about swapping from
> the regular incandescent lights to flourescent. Most places that sell
> the flourescents claim power usage benefits just short of actually
> charging your batteries while using them.
Tube flourescents put out a lot of diffuse light, useful for
illuminating large areas, not so good for putting a lot of light in a
small area - such as for reading. Also, the small tubes for RV lamps
are only available in limited colors (temperatures). For my taste, the
available ones are not so pleasant for general lighting.
We have flourescents on the ceiling and under the kitchen counter.
Except the one in the kitchen, though, we tend to use our
incandescents. The light output is less, but the ambience is better.
If YOU like to keep it bright inside everywhere, flourescents will do
that much better than the alternatives.
Steve
Colleen Bretches
Don't forget candles. How often do you switch a light on just to see to get
from the door into the bathroom or some such?
I keep a votive candle in an appropriate deep container (to cut down on fire
hazard) by the bathroom sink all evening until bedtime. It doesn't put out
a lot of light, but it freshens the air and there's enough light for most
visits to the bathroom in the evening. I also keep one going on the kitchen
counter, for just enough light to walk the length of the coach. Sure cuts
down on switching lights on and off. Of course, I often light more candles
just for the ambience, but that's another storey.
C. Bretches
Curt Martin
>>On Thu, 19 Sep 2002 Curt Martin <Cu...@GCI.NOSPAM.net> wrote:
>>I hadn't given it much thought untill last weekend when we went out with
>>some friends who have an old class C about the same year as our
>>southwind (89). I couldn't get over how bright there lights were, he
>>told me he swapped the old ones for flourescent fixtures and it was the
>>best thing he had ever done. I'm nearly sold, but would like to hear
>>
>>from some folks who have these and mostly dry camp. Mainly are you
>
>>happy with this setup, and how well do the tubes hold out?
>>
>
> Power consumption of lighting on yer average RV is hardly a
> consideration . . but ambiance is! Personally, I enjoy the subdued
> light of evening hours, and wouldn't be particularly thrilled with the
> harsh brilliance of flourscents.
>
I agree 100%, we have two wall lights (sconces?), that have dual element
bulbs, they put off just the right amount of light for sitting around in
the evening and having a drink or two or...the first time we turned them
on at night, they immediately became my favorite fixtures in the MH.
They will not be replaced, I'm just talking about a couple fixtures that
will FLOOD the living area with light when I want it, like when we are
cooking in the early evening. I hate having to turn on one light, then
another, and constantly having to switch back and forth. Pro'lly put
one over the dinnette, and one over the sink to start with.
As for the fan, not much I can really do about that I guess. I had
thought about supplementing the rig with a small space heater of some
sort for use inside, but I guess my main concern this winter will be
keeping the basement warm enough so the tanks and lines don't freeze. I
suppose I will have to resort to using anti-freeze in the tanks. I
never had to use it in our slide in, I just drained everything
thouroughly and opened all the valves. We would take a jury can of
water with us for doing dishes and cooking, and use that for bathroom
duties as well, I did pour antifreeze into the toilet. Our slide in
didn't have a grey water tank, the only grey came from the sink, we
would catch it in a jug, and usually ended up pouring it in the fire
ring to make sure it was out. So, this will be the first experience
with the RV anti freeze, I've heard some say the taste is horrible, and
I've heard others say you don't notice it, guess I will find out.
Thanks for the input from everyone.
Curt Martin
absolutely right, my wife is one of them "partylite" dealers, so we
always have a TON of candles around. As soon as the sun starts to go
down we light one, and it stays lit till we go to bed, handy for
stepping inside for a second without having to turn on a light. Another
added benefit is it helps cover up the various odors we (I) attract when
were out...fish, camp fire, dogs got into something again...whatever.
Bob Giddings
wrote:
>Colleen Bretches wrote:
As a fireman, candles make me shudder. I cannot count the number of
houses I have seen burned down due to candles. Please do NOT go to
sleep and leave them on.
An instructive tale: My ex-wife was a candle nut. One night she left
candles burning on the dining table (okay, okay, I was there, too.
But I had turned into a bore talking about it, and after a while you
give it a rest. Besides, it was before we were married, and I was
distracted.) About 2 in the morning I woke up for some reason, and
saw flames dancing in reflection on the open bedroom door.
The candles had slowly heated the plastic light fixture 3 feet
overhead, which had slowly melted and dripped down in reach of the
flame, then caught fire. I ran into the kitchen just in time to see
flames licking at the sheetrock overhead. I put it out with a couple
of glasses of water, but timing was everything here.
You will not have the advantage of fire resistive sheet rock in an RV.
You will die. Your family will die. I have seen it happen.
Bob
Robert Thomas
>
> As for the fan, not much I can really do about that I guess.
Actually, there is. Get a good sized catalytic heater. No fan. Keep a
window cracked while it's in use.
I had
> thought about supplementing the rig with a small space heater of some
> sort for use inside, but I guess my main concern this winter will be
> keeping the basement warm enough so the tanks and lines don't freeze.
I don't know about your rig, but most, I think will not freeze as long as
the "cabin" is warm.
I
> suppose I will have to resort to using anti-freeze in the tanks.
Not a bad idea......the waste tanks anyway.
cheers
bob
Curt Martin
I don't know...I've camped at minus 50 a couple times in my slide in.
With this MH there is only a very thin door between the tanks and the
cold, I don't think the inside temp will have much bearing on whether or
not they freeze, I'm pretty sure I need to keep the basement heated.
Robert Thomas
every three days. grin
cheers
bob
No Spam
| With this MH there is only a very thin door between the tanks and the
| cold, I don't think the inside temp will have much bearing on whether or
| not they freeze, I'm pretty sure I need to keep the basement heated.
|
Being from the deep south I curious what kind of activity (other than the
obvious) can you engage in 'camping' at 50 below?
(At that temperature I'd be afraid to take a whiz on the chance that vital
parts would freeze and fall off. <g>)
GBinNC
>| I don't know...I've camped at minus 50 a couple times in my slide in.
>| With this MH there is only a very thin door between the tanks and the
>| cold, I don't think the inside temp will have much bearing on whether or
>| not they freeze, I'm pretty sure I need to keep the basement heated.
>(At that temperature I'd be afraid to take a whiz on the chance that vital
>parts would freeze and fall off. <g>)
Nah, you just carry a small ax and chop yourself loose from the frozen
yellow arc when you're finished...
GB in NC
bill horne
I'd just whack it loose with my Dog bottle. Not near as dangerous if
incipient hypothermia has messed up hand/eye coordination.
--
bill
Theory don't mean squat if it don't work.
No Spam
vital
| > >parts would freeze and fall off. <g>)
| >
| > Nah, you just carry a small ax and chop yourself loose from the frozen
| > yellow arc when you're finished...
| >
| > GB in NC
|
| I'd just whack it loose with my Dog bottle. Not near as dangerous if
| incipient hypothermia has messed up hand/eye coordination.
I'm *not* concerned about down stream freezing ... upstream is a personal
issue.
Bob Giddings
I always wondered what was at the end of the rainbow. Now I know.
Darn.
Curt Martin
each time weve been out in those temps we were caribou hunting, we do
spend alot of time out inthe winter though where temps will be well
below zero. We go to alot of snowmobile racing events, and we always
take in the Iditarod, alothough these are usually just a weekend trip.
Curt Martin
The first time we went out in that kind of weather we had no idea how to
judge how much propane we would use. We took WAY to much, I think it
was 7 5 gallon tanks. Interestingly, the first tank was one that was
filled in the summer, and was probaly about 3/4 full. We went through
it hte first night, and since we were expecting to be out about 10 days,
we thought we were in trouble since we were about 120 miles from a place
to get propane, and teh road between us and the road between us and it
was not plowed in the winter (usually just enough hunting traffic to
keep it somewhat driveable). I don't know what was up with that first
tank, but after that we used 3 more tanks for the rest of the 9 days.
So I would say about 17 gallons or so got us through it. We knew it was
cold, but when we came out and got a local paper it was talking about
the weeks temps. Aparently we saw -60 or so for a couple nights, but
the northern lights displays we were watching every night more than made
up for the cold. It was an interesting trip.
Robert Thomas
> Aparently we saw -60 or so for a couple nights, but
> the northern lights displays we were watching every night more than made
> up for the cold. It was an interesting trip.
>
>
cheers
bob
BD (Dave) Thompson
"Robert Thomas" <rob...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:Ep9j9.7023$XE1.6...@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
What's he's not telling you is the floor never thaws. (G) Having lived in
the Great Land for 20 years and also done lots of winter camping, I can tell
you it is fun and it is a doozy! I don't care how warm you keep the rig
inside, the floor never thaws out. If you track in snow, it will be there
in the morning.
The winter set up always included removing ALL canned and bottled food
stuffs. I had 6 blue 5 gallon water jugs that rode in the shower and the
Porta-Potty sat on the floor just in front of the fixed toilet. In
addition, we had two Rubber Maid square basins that just fit the kitchen
sink.
So equipped we could sustain a week of hunting.
--
Dave
No Spam
in
| the Great Land for 20 years and also done lots of winter camping, I can
tell
| you it is fun and it is a doozy! I don't care how warm you keep the rig
| inside, the floor never thaws out. If you track in snow, it will be there
| in the morning.
|
| The winter set up always included removing ALL canned and bottled food
| stuffs. I had 6 blue 5 gallon water jugs that rode in the shower and the
| Porta-Potty sat on the floor just in front of the fixed toilet. In
| addition, we had two Rubber Maid square basins that just fit the kitchen
| sink.
|
| So equipped we could sustain a week of hunting.
|
| --
| Dave
|
Somehow the idea of hunting squirrels in the back woods of Mississippi
seems a lot warmer <g>.
Curt Martin
very true.