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Topic: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner (Read 1201 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner
Reply #25 –
When I was calculating the wattage of panels for another project, I used the total estimated daily energy needs in amps  and then used the estimate of 2.5 X (total daily energy needs in amps) = rooftop panel wattage. This assumes a 40% efficiency to account for clouds, foggy mornings, etc., as well as 12 hours of sun per day and a 12 volt system (they conveniently cancel).  The tug uses about 110 A per day and the equation results in 275W of panels, so I put up 300W and it keeps things charged up most of the time.  Parking under a tree goofs the entire idea up, but I rarely anchor the tug under a tree. 

This has been sufficient to keep things charged up under most circumstances.  With several foggy days in a row, the Honda EU 2000 boosts the batteries back up.

HD
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
 
Re: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner
Reply #26 –
Coachwife,
Our Lazy Daze is our fourth RV and we really like it.  We have a 27MB and my wife loves it.  I like it, but only because Lazy Daze doesn't offer some things that I value (high clearance, 4X4, diesel).

Our other three RV's had outside showers and even though we had three children and one or two German Shepherds, we NEVER used the outside showers.  They were a good idea, but in reality, we never used them.

After three other RV's, I have to admit that the Lazy Daze is the best thought out and constructed  of the bunch, and the best built that we have seen anywhere. We have had no major problems, which is rare among RV owners. I may come to love it with time.

I don't believe that you will go wrong with the Lazy Daze regardless of the model.  The 200W solar that we have is generally sufficient and the generator will charge things up if it a cloudy day or you need AC.

Retirement is much, MUCH better than we imagined.  Every day is Saturday.  Our schedules are packed with things we enjoy doing. I miss the students, but never the shifting vagaries of political correctness, any administrator, testing, or grading.

HD

2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner
Reply #27 –
Quote from: Blueox25  - 
Retirement is much, MUCH better than we imagined.  Every day is Saturday.

Except for Sunday, Harold!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner
Reply #28 –
Well, let's see:   If every day is Saturday, then on the last Sunday, you get to be in church.  In a box.

Keep enjoying those Saturdays!

HD
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner
Reply #29 –
Retirement, bah humbug!

I'm working on my 2nd retirement. Shortly after the beginning of my 1st retirement I realized I had to go to work for a living.  :(

Retirement only gives you the opportunity to spend money faster. As to Saturdays and Sundays and all major and minor holidays (Halloween excepted) I am exiled to the house in order to avoid the thundering hoards of wage-slaves. Camping is still fun M-F and I love watching the road warriors come pouring in on Friday night, only to disturb my tranquility for the next day and a half.   >:(
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner
Reply #30 –
Happy 1st Saturday!
2004 26.5 MB
Enjoying retirement traveling, Rzr riding, photography, and of course the 2 grand girls!
Re: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner
Reply #31 –
Coachwife,

My DW and I have enjoyed our ‘15 27’ RB for almost 2 years now. Open concept with plenty of room to spread out. I liked the MB but found it too closed in for me. My wife couldn’t stay inside the floor model at LD for more than a few minutes before she walked me over to the RB model. For us it was love at first sight.

We have two solar panels and all the options except the auto sat dish and the electric step.

The outdoor shower is just left of the coach door (passenger/curb side of the coach). We use it occasionally and I wouldn’t want to be without it.

It’s been stated before...see all the models you can before you make your final decision, if you can.

Harold is a Saturday man...each and every day of his new-found retirement. Personally, I’m a Wednesday kind of guy. It’s my favorite day of the week. If you want to avoid the craziness of the world... take a Wednesday off. I’ve been doing so for over twelve years, now.

I like to consider myself semi-retired although I still put in four days a week at the ol’ 9-5. The good thing is my work week includes time swinging the hammer while the weekend warriors are tearing up the turf. My weekend...three days off with “hump day” in the middle.

This schedule allows me to stretch two days off into five. By the time the crowds are filling the campground, I’m packing up and leaving the throngs to themselves. Their coming while I’m going. Works for me.

Just sayin’

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner
Reply #32 –
No one has mentioned the importance of a battery charger, be it a 14.4 volt automatic, 14.8 volt or even 15.4 volt. The converter charges at 13.7 volts. The higher voltage will keep your generator runs short and allow the solar panels to top things up. Above 90% charge the batteries can only accept about 150 watts which is a terrible waste of a 4000 watt generator.

Don't forget the battery monitor. None of this offered by LD.
Harry 2006RB
Re: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner
Reply #33 –
"No one has mentioned the importance of a battery charger..."

And you're point is?   ::)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner
Reply #34 –
The point is 200 watts of solar is not enough to keep a battery up (depending on your electrical use, certainly not mine with satelite receiver and TV.) With a battery charger one hour of generator run in the morning will set you up for solar to finish it.

Running the generator to charge the battery through the converter is a waste of generator. Using a battery charger is a bit better. A lot better time wise.

The RV BATTERY CHARGING PUZZLE « HandyBob's Blog (Most RV owners are not aware of the info in this link)

You don't have to agree with everything in the link but I would certainly recommend a battery monitor with percent charge read out. Amps in and out is also very nice. Yes, most RV owners believe running the generator is charging their battery. It is, barely. In my case 14 amps vs 39 amps initially with the battery charger, depending on state of charge.

If you plug into shore power disregard this note. 24/7 at 13.7 volts will charge your battery.
Harry 2006RB
Re: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner
Reply #35 –
Depends on how you camp and how you consume electricity. Taking the need for temperature modification out of the equation (not camping in very hot or very cold climates) we use very little electricity when we camp because we don’t watch TV much, don’t have a satellite dish etc. Thus, when we boondock our 85 watt panel keeps us topped off most of the time. When shaded or whatnot we pull out the 80 watt suitcase panel too.

Know thyself and thy camping style and build your rig accordingly.
Ruby, the red 2004 26' RK hauling Dave and Kristine hither and yon
Re: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner
Reply #36 –
hbn7hj writes:

>The point is 200 watts of solar is not enough to keep a battery up (depending on your electrical use, certainly not mine with satelite receiver and TV.) With a battery charger one hour of generator run in the morning will set you up for solar to finish it.

We don't have a sat rec or watch much TV. We do run two laptops, the usual LED lights, etc. In the SW, we are back to 100% before noon. Later in the afternoon in say the PAC NW from our solar panels.

Running the generator to charge the battery through the converter is a waste of generator.
It takes forever, as does the alternator. But, sometimes it's the only way.

The RV BATTERY CHARGING PUZZLE « HandyBob's Blog (Most RV owners are not aware of the info in this link)
Good reading

...I would certainly recommend a battery monitor with percent charge read out.
Oh yes.

If you plug into shore power disregard this note. 24/7 at 13.7 volts will charge your battery.
This is where you lose me.  When would you use a battery charger??

How about a display name hbn7hj?
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner
Reply #37 –
(I think it's Harry, based on his signature line.)

Sadly, not everyone is blessed with the sunny skies you folks have out west. Clouds, sun angle, trees, etc. play a part, too.

An external battery charger powered by the generator gets the job done faster and better than the generator-inverter-charger setup that is factory issue.

The 13.7 V approach works fine if you're plugged in 24/7, as mentioned.  Speed sort of doesn't matter if you've got all day and you don't need to run your generator to get the juice.

Chip

2000 Front Lounge
Re: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner
Reply #38 –
Quote from: hbn7hj  - 
No one has mentioned the importance of a battery charger, be it a 14.4 volt automatic, 14.8 volt or even 15.4 volt. The converter charges at 13.7 volts. The higher voltage will keep your generator runs short and allow the solar panels to top things up. Above 90% charge the batteries can only accept about 150 watts which is a terrible waste of a 4000 watt generator.

Don't forget the battery monitor. None of this offered by LD.
Battery chargers are sold by their amperage output, not by their voltage output.
A smart charger will vary the amperage, as the batteries needs change, during the charging process.
There will be a range of voltage from 13.2-VDC to over 15-VDC, when the batteries are being equalized.
At the 90% charge level, the batteries internal resistance, or impedance, will limit the charge amperage to a very low level, no matter what charger you are using.
To minimized generator run time, the long accepted procedure is to charge the battery to the 90% level, when using the generator, and then letting the solar top it off.
The last 10% of change can take several hours to finish, because the battery only allows a low charger rate, due to its rising internal resistance.

Stock converters in pre 2015 LDs have 45-amp charger, while the later models have a 70-mp charger, the one that has cooing fan running constantly.
Better aftermarket converters are available.

Different battery chemistries have different charging strategies,  for optimal performance .
Later models LDs come with AGM batteries, They will accept higher charge rates, than regular lead-acid batteries, but can easily be overcharged, which dries out the non-replaceable electrolyte, destroying an expensive battery.
Poorly regulated converters or solar chargers can damage or destroy your batteries, especially AGMs.

And yes, if you are going to boondock a lot, a battery capacity meter is a must for the longest battery life.
The meter will let you know when you must charge, normally when battery is 50% or more discharged.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/organize
Victron BMV-700 Battery Monitor - - Amazon.com

Larry
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner
Reply #39 –
"Later models LDs come with AGM batteries, They will accept higher charge rates, than regular lead-acid batteries, but can easily be overcharged, which dries out the non-replaceable electrolyte, destroying an expensive battery. Poorly regulated converters or solar chargers can damage or destroy your batteries, especially AGMs."
----
I hope that those with AGMs heed this advice and learns/understands the requirements of AGM batteries. Plopping a couple of AGMs into the compartment without updating/matching the converter and the solar charger to the batteries' needs will result in premature battery death; as Larry states, AGMs are very sensitive to overcharging, and an 'old tech' converter and charge controller will fry those batteries into very pricey doorstops in a short time. We don't all have to learn the hard way!  ;)
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner
Reply #40 –
Quote from: Chip Chester  - 
(I think it's Harry, based on his signature line.)

An external battery charger powered by the generator gets the job done faster and better than the generator-inverter-charger setup that is factory issue.

Chip
Thanks, Chip, for explaining what Harry was getting at. I was a bit lost there, with the same question as Don. 🤔 —Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Questions from a future Lazy Daze Owner
Reply #41 –
Chip writes: An external battery charger powered by the generator gets the job done faster...

AH HA Never thought of that. Wondering now if I will ever think it again. Old dogs.....
I get about 15amps from the converter and my cheap charger is rated at 15amps also.

I have used the battery changer to start the truck more than once running off the genset. When someone stops for the day and does not open driver's door and triggering the Lights On alarm. [Why I don't like the lights on signs] Some fine day I will install a Lights On alarm.

Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy