I'm not new to campers but I'm a new Scamp owner. My previous camper was a park model and I never hauled it anywhere. So it was hard wired. I'm a fast learner but I have lots of rookie questions. I'm retired now and able to wander. I'm also a woman who never drawn to rehabbing or building things....but I can do plumbing....oddly enough.
I'm somewhat handy but clueless on electrical matters.
My biggest puzzle currently is the 12 volt system, shore power, generators and batteries.
I've purchased a 16' deluxe and getting ready for my first voyage. I'm considering a generator to keep my battery topped off and be able to go to places without hookups.
How do you travel with the generator? Does it smell of gasoline all the time? If at a campsite, how do you lock it down if you leave the area for a while?
I need some USB charge ports. I've seen the post from Man with a Van about the different ones....but how do you attach it? Drill a hole? I saw the one that looks like a regular plug with USB ports. Was that running off shore power?
And can you hang anything on the walls of rat fur?
thanks for any advice in advance. I look forward to my new friends I find along the way.
Let's answer your biggest question first...
Your Scamp has three main electrical Systems:
First; you have a 120 volt system that is active whenever you are plugged into "Shore Power" at a campsite. This system powers all the 120 volt outlets inside your Scamp and it powers the Microwave and Air Conditioner (if you have one).
Next; is your "Trailer Lights", these are the brake lights, turn signals, and marker lights, on the outside and rear of your Scamp. These lights only operate whenever you are plugged into the Tow Vehicle (after all, who needs turn signals at a camp site). Your Trailer brakes are also part of this "Trailer Wiring" and again, only operates when plugged into your Tow Vehicle.
Your next system is often referred to as your "Coach Wiring". This is a 12 volt system that operates all the 12 volt lights and systems inside your Scamp/Coach. The Battery on your Tongue is the heart of the "Coach Wiring" system. Whenever you are unplugged from both Shore Power and the Tow Vehicle the energy stored inside your battery is all the energy you have.
Now your first question is: "How long will the battery last ???
Well, it depends on several factors, including the weather. Why the weather you ask? Because your Propane Furnace has an electric blower in it that is not very energy efficient and it can drain a battery on a cold night.
However, if the weather is fair, and you have upgraded your lights with LED bulbs, you should (Generally Speaking) be able to get one or two nights out of a fully charged battery (read the "Solar For Scamps" articles in the "Resources" Tab for a more thorough discussion on Lifestyles and Batteries).
Now that we have discussed how your "Coach" battery gets drained, let's discuss how it gets charged back up.
There are two methods used to charge your battery.
The first method is through the Trailer Connection on your Tow Vehicle, whenever you are connected to the Tow Vehicle and you are driving, there is a connection (one of the 7-pins) that charges your "Coach" /Scamp battery. This is done automatically and you generally don't need to worry about your battery getting charged up while driving.
The second method is through a device called a "Converter". A Converter simply converts 120 volt power into 12 volt power that charges your Scamp battery whenever you are plugged into "Shore Power". The Converter Automatically starts charging your Scamp battery whenever you plug your Scamp into a 120 volt power source (shore power).
As far as buying a Generator goes, I would recommend against buying a generator at this point in time. I would strongly recommend getting to know your Scamp and learning how you are going to use your Scamp before investing in a Generator. Make sure a Generator is an Absolute Necessity before you introduce all the pain and hassle having a generator brings to your Scamping outings. By-the-way, Yes, a Gas Generator does emit dangerous (and smelly) fumes wherever it is stored, additionally, you will need a gas can to store and transport the gas in (more smelly gas fumes), additionally, you need to secure your generator (both when in use and when not in use).
This should get you up-to-speed on all your Scamp's Electrical systems.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Ah, plain English. Thank you. Makes it clearer now
I was going to ask what size generator....I had been looking at the Honda 2000. But maybe I only need 1000? I also like to run a sewing machine when at camp. Didn't know how to factor that in....but I may do what I've done in the past and head to a fabric store and socialize and borrow their tables and power.
i have an ulterior motive if it being useful at home if we get weather...which we are known to do.
Is Good Sams club worth the money and how many of those programs would you advise. I have a daughter in Seattle. She's it. Friends and such around the country but...if something happened.....do I need their programs?
I've read the solar....I can't quite manage all of that...but I get that batteries are the big deal. Will two golf cart batteries fit on the trailer tongue? Or that new one mentioned in blue would be a better option than the one from the factory?
I have in the past two years traveled across the country twice. Once car camping and this year with a T@G. So, this is an upgrade. I only stayed in a commercial campground one night in Canada. So I'm pretty familiar with my tastes. Being from the mountains of NC has kept my passion to the back roads.
THANK YOU for your further advice and explanations. I know this is a Venus/Mars thing. But I'm learning to be bilingual.
Born to wander,
Ann Bruce
Hi Ann,
Sounds like you're getting ready for some awesome experiences.
Since you are wanting to go off-grid predominantly before you do any of the expensive steps like batteries, generators, solar etc. the very first thing you will want to do is make sure all of your lighting is changed out to LED bulbs. Section 2 of the Scamp Solar resource section The #1 thing to being successful off-grid is to understand and reduce your need for power to the lowest possible. Changing the bulbs will allow you to run lights all night if desired without hardly putting a dent in your battery system. Not the case if you leave incandescent bulbs in those sockets.
In the first section of the solar resource about Lifestyle, this is very important to determine what your future needs will be. The largest consumer of battery when you are off-grid on a basic trailer is your furnace. If you are not interested in many nights of cold camping then your power requirements are less intense. If you are going to be doing quite a bit of cold weather camping (within limitations of these trailers) then you need a much more robust battery system with ability to recharge.
You can add USB charging ports if desired to the trailer, but one very nice option is the portable device charging batteries. These can be easily recharged when running around in the car, good ones will recharge devices for about a week, and this keeps it all off your trailer batteries. I use a combination of the onboard usb plugs and these portable chargers. Primarily using the portable chargers.
I don't know if at this stage I would mess with a generator until you really know what your lifestyle and needs are going to be out there. Generators can be purchased at any time you desire and most any town if you determine you need one. Generators can be very messy to camp with and not always allowed at some parks or areas you might want to stay. For a Scamp 16 I'd go with a portable solar panel that just clips on your battery posts long before a generator unless I'm wanting to run a bunch of 110v appliances and/or air conditioning off grid.
I would concentrate on the LED bulbs and the battery system. Any Camping World or good RV store can listen to what you are wanting and show you options on batteries. Two 6V are going to be a fairly involved modification and I think I would concentrate for now on getting a really good 12v Marine Deep Cycle battery with a really good amp hour rating. The shop can explain all of that and show you what the best options would be that can easily fit on your existing setup. For example, with my rig with all LED lighting and reduced power usage tips and tricks, I can stay out 10-14 days on battery alone without having to recharge or put anything back into the batteries. If I plug in at a campground or tow somewhere then it all resets.
Just some tips and recommendations to not jump in with the expensive stuff first (Generator). Do the inexpensive base steps (LED, Battery, portable chargers) and then get out there camping with your rig and figure out the next steps as you see the need. I've met a lot of Full-Timers on the road over the years and as they go along they get rid of things they find are never used or needed and add features as they go when they know they're needed.
I love where you are heading and look forward to following your adventures on the road.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Greg, thank you for this advice. ...this is complicated and salesmen are horrible for an older woman to rely on. They just want to sell you what they have at home.
there seems to be a long list of essentials....to the salesman yesterday...I had to have a generator. Nothing else would work.
surge protectors?
Jump boxes with air compressors?
what else does a non resort type camper need on hand???
thanks for everyone's input. I'm headed out for two months once this storm passes the southeast this weekend. So, feel free to suggest what's essential for basic and what you think you can't live without.
Born to wander,
Ann Bruce
Ann,
Wander on out to the Quartzsite Gathering in February. Free camping and close to 200 Molded Fiberglass trailers out there last year. Lots of folks that will be happy to show you their trailers, mods, and help you out with any issues.
http://www.scampowners.com/forums/2017-quartzsite-gathering-quartzsite-az
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
I may be able to get to Sebring. But I figure I won't get to camp there. Will it be as informative and helpful.
Quartzite would put me on the start of a long long trip. If I go, I will end up in Alaska if I thought I had everything figured out. My daughter is in Seattle. So why not?
gurus are essential for getting one on the right track.
Born to wander,
Ann Bruce
Ann,
Any Scamp Camp or gathering that you can get to will be extremely helpful. Going to Florida in Feb at the height of the snowbird season can be very challenging, but the park does keep a percentage of sites that are for first come first serve. Quartzsite if you can make it that far has no restrictions, everyone gets a spot of desert and free for 14 days.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
I would not discount generators as Blah Blah not good. They have their place. If you get a good one like a Yamaha, Honda, sound is kept to a minimum, If you keep to campground rules and obey the quiet times, you should be fine. Smells, well fires are smelly .smoky, burn your eyes, Motor cycles make lot of noise and all terrain vehicles all make noise, Leaf blowers, lawn mowers, all are at camp grounds. So whats this tranquility people talk about. When you are out, notice how many generators are in use. Somebody did not get the message. Your choice as to what you prefer, Solar or Gen. or both, all is good. good luck, Carl
Ann,
Lilly and I have a Scamp 13 Standard. We do a lot of primitive camping our 13 has both air conditioning and a furnace. We now carry a Honda EU 2000I with us in the back of our truck. We have not tried to run our A/C with it. The Honda will run our cube heater and the noise it acceptable to us. The plan is to use the Honda and cube heated during the evening that will warm the trailer and thermostat. The battery will recharge while the Honda is running. At bed time, I'll stop the generator and start the furnace and call it a night. Now when camping primitive I have two safe methods of heating our 13.
The Honda has a closable vent on the gas tank. We travel with it closed and have not noticed any fumes. The EU 2000 is not twice as expensive as a 1000 watt Honda. The main reason of not buying a larger generator was weight, either of us can set the Honda into our truck bed. With a plug in adapter, the Scamp power cord plugs right into the Honda.
One of the Scamper Campers, Bob