How do you Keep It Simple?

[Dirke]

I know a lot of people have some pretty fancy campers. Being a newbie I am trying to keep things as simple as possible yet leave the option for improvements later. So, I was wondering what others have done to keep things simple.

For example, I was thinking about wiring the whole thing and putting in a fancy electrical connection on the outside. After i thought about it for a while, I decided I could still install plugs in the TD but it would be a simple thing to run an extension cord out the hatch. I could always add an RV style connection later. What about just sticking up one of those touch lights that run on batteries. I could run the wires early on in the build and add lights later but if a touch light works that may be good enough.

I understand that, depending on your type of construction, some things have to be installed before finishing the inside depending on what you final vision is.
What KISS things have you done?

Dirk

[Woodbutcher]

You might think about running your wiring under the floor of the trailer. Put a 4 gang box up front and another in the rear under the galley. That gives you access to the cabin and the galley. I always run a 12V plug in both the galley and the cabin.

[Dirke]

Great idea. I am leaning toward a foamie so running under the floor would be the best. I have a couple of solar panels that I might use and I was thinking about mounting the battery on the tongue. So, I could hold off on that and go camping and run the wires later... better yet, I can install that stuff at the campground on a later trip.

[Shadow Catcher]

I think I can fairly safely say ours is the most elaborate tear drop here and I have consistently said plan for more than you think you need, I would now say plan for much more than you think you need. Our tear has the Progressive Dynamics power center which has four 120VAC breakers and slots for 14 ATC DC fuses I used them all. Wire is relativity inexpensive, plan on more lights than you think you want, many more 12V and 120V outlets than you think you want.

[Dirke]

Was looking around for lighting alternatives. i found these 9 LED stick on lights that use 3 aaa batteries. Simple and easy. I bet I could even hard wire them so they would run off of a 12 v battery.

[Verna]

All I have are battery operated lights, and they suit me well. Check out Lowe's in their battery operated lights for a large selection. Even Kroger's, a grocery store, has a good selection. It seems that Sylvania is a common name brand with lots of choices.

[Shadow Catcher]

All of our lights are solar powered, including the small powered battery ones. This is in line with my boondocking plans i.e. being independent from the grid. All of them are Ni-MH and rechargeable with the MAHA smart charger running from the inverter. MAHA makes a 12V charger which I did not know about at the time I bought ours, but then all of our small battery items at home i.e. remotes, flashlights... use rechargeable's.
We like to read at night and there are two very nice reading lights in CR.

[Dirke]

A All of them are Ni-MH and rechargeable with the MAHA smart charger running from the inverter.

Being a Ham radio operator, I have a 12v Maha Charger and it is fantastic. It will charge anything short of a car battery. Good idea on using the rechargeable batteries. I was thinking about hard wiring the lights so I could just use a deep cycle for everything. To start with though, I could just stick them up and go.

Question: I have a couple of solar panels that I want to use, can you have your battery hooked up to an on-the-grid source and the solar at the same time or do you have to disconnect the solar panel if you plug into the grid? I would prefer not to have to disconnect the solar if I didn't have to but wasn't sure if that would cause problems if both were charging at the same time.

[KCStudly]

Learned by reading somewhere here in the electrical section that it is not at all a good idea to apply over voltage to LED's; does permanent damage and shortens their life expectancy drastically.

So for those three AAA battery pucks (what is that, like 3.6v ?) a 12v battery (14+ volts while charging) would not be advisable w/o additional resistors.

[Dirke]

I would definitely not run them with 12v. I would put a transformer in line to bring the voltage down.

[Dirke]

That's true. It all depends on how much you want to "rough it" For some that means no cell phone, for others no toilet or running water. I want to have something that can haul my stuff and give me a dry place to sleep. So, if I can get the walls, roof, and doors on I can go camping. The rest I can do a little at a time. I think it would work out better that way as once I have camped in it a few times I can see what will and will not work.

Another way I am keeping it simple is to try and use what I already have. I already have a really big tent that you can stand up in. So, instead of buying a gazebo, I think I will just use that for now. It can serve as a bug shelter, a changing room, a place to put my composting toilet (doesn't smell), a small table, extra sleeping area for friends and family, etc. I have my fathers old Coleman stove and my trusty cooler so I don't need to install all those things in the kitchen. My big blue jug has a spout on it that works just fine as a faucet and I have an old style dish tub. Sure, I could add a water tank, sink, changing room/porta-pot later but I may decide I don't really need those and put my effort and money somewhere else.

[Dirke]

Well, here is another thought. I have two of these portable power packs.


I could probably just use those for now since I probably won't be using a pump, mostly just lights. The each have two lighter plugs and battery posts.

[Gladtobehere]

That's true. It all depends on how much you want to "rough it" For some that means no cell phone, for others no toilet or running water. I want to have something that can haul my stuff and give me a dry place to sleep. So, if I can get the walls, roof, and doors on I can go camping. The rest I can do a little at a time. I think it would work out better that way as once I have camped in it a few times I can see what will and will not work.

Another way I am keeping it simple is to try and use what I already have. I already have a really big tent that you can stand up in. So, instead of buying a gazebo, I think I will just use that for now. It can serve as a bug shelter, a changing room, a place to put my composting toilet (doesn't smell), a small table, extra sleeping area for friends and family, etc. I have my fathers old Coleman stove and my trusty cooler so I don't need to install all those things in the kitchen. My big blue jug has a spout on it that works just fine as a faucet and I have an old style dish tub. Sure, I could add a water tank, sink, changing room/porta-pot later but I may decide I don't really need those and put my effort and money somewhere else.

You are doing what I am doing to keep things simple for the short term so we can save up for an ALTO made by Safari Condo. Those battery packs will work fine for LED lighting or even running a small laptop or chargers for a few hours. I thought about 12V lighting but eventually decided on using flash lights and other stick on lighting for simplicity. We also carry bicycles around and they all use battery powered lighting. Using AA , AAA C or D batteries is not a particularly green option, but it sure is easy and handy for changing fkat tires in the dark. Tents for changing , privacy and bug protection and a 2 burner coleman using the little propane tankss for cooking. I consider liquid fuels more prone to spillage and hence more dangerous than LP gas. Again not the most green approach, but one I can live with. I have considered solar charging but I believe it is impracticle unless you live in Arizona, or Nevada. Also because I prefer to park in the shade during the summer months and moving panels into the sun can keep you busy. Not to mention moving batteries close to the chargers to reduce power loss from long cables. Solar power is a wonderful concept, but not hugely practile on a small scale.

I like the approach to start simple and see what you really need (aka, miss) while you are enjoying the trip.

[Brandy]

Have a look at My Atempt at a TTD. Its simple.

[Dirke]

Have a look at My Atempt at a TTD. Its simple.

It looks great Brandy. I agree with you, it's camping so you don't need all the extras. Sure, they are nice but you don't really need them. A flashlight, stove, and a few dishes is all you need. I am a bit of a scrounger so I figure I can add things as I come across them.

Dirk