how many people can avoid 12 volts or 120 volts.

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Re: how many people can avoid 12 volts or 120 volts.

Postby Graniterich » Thu Nov 05, 2015 11:41 pm

I like the convenience of built in lights, and I can charge a phone if I need to
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Re: how many people can avoid 12 volts or 120 volts.

Postby Woodbutcher » Fri Nov 06, 2015 8:46 am

I have both. But right now all my lights inside and the galley are battery powered LED lights. I set of batteries has lasted 3 years. Because of this, I have been in no hurry to wire in any 12 volt lights. Someday maybe. There are 2 12 volt charging outlets in the trailer.
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Re: how many people can avoid 12 volts or 120 volts.

Postby Dale M. » Fri Nov 06, 2015 10:33 am

We tent camped for many years, did not have 12 volts or 120 volts, why would sleeping a in a box be any different....

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Re: how many people can avoid 12 volts or 120 volts.

Postby jss06 » Fri Nov 06, 2015 10:56 am

The only problem I have would be ventilation. It is a lot easier to open a tent up for ventilation then a box. Everything else I could do without.
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Re: how many people can avoid 12 volts or 120 volts.

Postby Tomterrific » Fri Nov 06, 2015 11:56 am

We camp without 120 or 12. When we do stay at a site with power, we use an extension cord for a drop light, electric blanket and coffee maker (most important). We like power but the best camping spot doesn't always have it and a 12 battery is too much trouble for us.

About ventilation, I noticed early on that many tears are very closed up. Limited windows and dark colors, sometimes only a vent on the roof! Our doors have full screens, windows on both sides and the ubiquitous crank open vent on the roof. Add that the entire trailer is painted bright white and are keep fairly cool inside. A big help is the hatch which opens to a curtained 4x3 standing area.
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Re: how many people can avoid 12 volts or 120 volts.

Postby Shadow Catcher » Fri Nov 06, 2015 3:34 pm

We use a 12 V 120 V refrigerator, reading lights etc. etc. all of this is very nicely supplied using the solar panel. yes we can but why bother.
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Re: how many people can avoid 12 volts or 120 volts.

Postby Cosmo » Fri Nov 06, 2015 8:20 pm

I enjoy the convience of 120 and 12v.
But some night I use tea light candles , flashlights etc.
Solar panel is fun to work with.

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Re: how many people can avoid 12 volts or 120 volts.

Postby dguff » Fri Nov 06, 2015 8:21 pm

Why do without 12 or 120 volts when it is so easy and convenient to build in and use? We mainly use our 12 volt for ventilation and reading lights and have a very simple 120 connection for a heater in cold conditions, if 120 is available. Lots of people like to use a mattress heater for those cold nights but we don't have one.

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Re: how many people can avoid 12 volts or 120 volts.

Postby MtnDon » Fri Nov 06, 2015 9:33 pm

Since moving "up" from tenting I fugure 12 VDC is so easy you may as well at least do that and 120 VAC is close behind especially if you frequent serviced campgrounds. And if the boonies are where you go then a generator or inverter make sense.
Our 6x12 deep vee nose cargo trailer camper conversion... viewtopic.php?f=42&t=58336

We have a small off grid cabin we built ourselves in the NM mountains; small PV solar system; 624 watts PV, Outback CC & inverter/charger ... http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2335.0
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Re: how many people can avoid 12 volts or 120 volts.

Postby Vedette » Fri Nov 06, 2015 11:47 pm

MtnDon wrote:Since moving "up" from tenting I fugure 12 VDC is so easy you may as well at least do that and 120 VAC is close behind especially if you frequent serviced campgrounds. And if the boonies are where you go then a generator or inverter make sense.

I am with Don
I have slept everywhere from picnic tables to under the running board of a Model A Ford. :roll:
But, now I have a Teardrop! So why should I be without the luxuries that power can offer?
So, I built MP so that it can use whatever is available to us. :twisted:
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Re: how many people can avoid 12 volts or 120 volts.

Postby Esteban » Sat Nov 07, 2015 12:16 am

Why skip 12 volts or shore power?

They're very nice to have.

For modest use of lights and ventilation. For recharging your phone, camera or tablet. For watching a movie, video or listening to music, talking books, etc. To take the chill off with a heated bed pad. To enjoy a little luxury with an ac/dc fridge freezer.

My teardrop will have a 30 amp shore power inlet, a PD 4045, about a dozen DC circuits, several AC circuits, a group 31 battery, 7-way wiring so the battery can be recharged from the tow vehicle, a 160 watt solar panel on the roof to recharge the battery.

It'll provide a little luxury when shore power is available and be ready for boondocking too.
Steve - SLO, CA
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Re: how many people can avoid 12 volts or 120 volts.

Postby Vedette » Sat Nov 07, 2015 1:13 am

Esteban wrote:Why skip 12 volts or shore power?

They're very nice to have.

For modest use of lights and ventilation. For recharging your phone, camera or tablet. For watching a movie, video or listening to music, talking books, etc. To take the chill off with a heated bed pad. To enjoy a little luxury with an ac/dc fridge freezer.

My teardrop will have a 30 amp shore power inlet, a PD 4045, about a dozen DC circuits, several AC circuits, a group 31 battery, 7-way wiring so the battery can be recharged from the tow vehicle, a 160 watt solar panel on the roof to recharge the battery.

It'll provide a little luxury when shore power is available and be ready for boondocking too.

Both Miss Piggy and Kermit have exactly the same set up as you are planning (except our solar panel is only 90 watts) and we love it all!
That it is why I duplicated it for Kermit!
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viewtopic.php?f=50&t=50912
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Re: how many people can avoid 12 volts or 120 volts.

Postby felixx » Sat Nov 07, 2015 1:22 am

One of the reasons I built the TD was comfort and ease
I had done without 12V or 240V for 40 years of camping
I DO have kerosene lanterns that get used every night but hell the 2 hours it took to wire in lights, USB ports etc it was worth it for simplicity with the kids.

Mine is all 12V DC I just need a 20W panel and I am sitting pretty
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Re: how many people can avoid 12 volts or 120 volts.

Postby dales133 » Sat Nov 07, 2015 5:25 am

My wiring makes the tardis under planned.
I went overkill because ill never regret it.
I didnt want messy wiring added later and it was more time than expense.
Ive got 2rpv shore power through 2 double outlets in the falley and one double inside and there wiĺ be one more atleast to power the battery charger.
Why not for all the reasons mentioned above.
Ive had to delay the build at times to save money as i am now but some things are worth it
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Re: how many people can avoid 12 volts or 120 volts.

Postby noseoil » Sat Nov 07, 2015 7:24 am

If I found a trailer without any 12 volt or 120 volt wiring, I wouldn't worry about it if I liked it, not a deal breaker for me to hook it up and start travelling. Since I'm building from a bare frame, I've included both 12v & 120v. I figure whatever time & trouble is involved in wiring up the build is ease of use later on & convenience.
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