These are posts that are related to dry camping AKA Boondocking
Today, I dive into Bluettie’s latest entry into the standalone lithium battery world: their brand-new B1232 12.8V 314Ah LiFePO4 powerhouse. As you know, I’ve reviewed a bunch of their power stations over the years, and they’ve always impressed me. Now they’re branching out to standalone batteries, and they’ve hooked me up with a free review … Read more
So, following up on the BougeRV diesel heater from last video, I’m also testing their new 12V electric heating blanket, 48W DC, with zoned heating (full body, upper, core, foot, etc.), five heat levels, 1-3 hour timer (up to 10 via app), and cape/wrap mode for cozy fireside sits, especially for Anne on chilly days. … Read more
In this first of several planned review videos, I unbox and test out a new portable diesel heater from BougeRV. I show the items provided, hook everything up, and fire it up. The heater runs on diesel fuel, producing a maximum of 5 kW of heating power. 12VDC is used to power the igniter, fuel … Read more
Today, I’m excited to share a sneak peek at a new product I’ll review this summer on our boat—a portable air conditioner from BougeRV. Our boat doesn’t have built-in air conditioning, just fans, so on those sweltering summer days, the cabin can get pretty stuffy, especially at night. With a 3500 BTU output, this little … Read more
We enjoy summers exploring the gorgeous BC coast aboard our 34′ CHB trawler-style liveaboard boat, often in remote areas without many services. To stay out for weeks, I rely on my boat’s 1200W solar power array, 940 amp-hour battery capacity, and the boat’s ample food storage. But water management is key. The trawler has two … Read more
In this video, I provide an update on the latest iteration of the boat’s off-grid power system. The most significant change has been the addition of a second house bank of lithium. I replaced the aging lead acid bank, which consisted of four Trojan 6V gold cart batteries, with a 460Ah Vatrer LiFePo4 battery. This, … Read more
If you’ve been following me, you know we spend a lot of time camping off-grid. This winter, we’re in the desert for about four months of off-grid camping. During the summer, we spend another four months on our boat, mostly anchored off-grid as well. With limited hookups, getting good water is critical, especially since Anne … Read more
Related Links: LYRV&B Harvest Host Affiliate Link – 20% Off Code = LYRV20 Google Map our Stops 2024/25 Snowbird Trip Video Playlist Coho Ferry Trip Raw Footage – Port Angeles to Victoria Some random video footage I took aboard the Black Ball Ferry Line MV Coho ferry crossing from Port Angeles, WA, over to Victoria, … Read more
On the recent leg of our snowbird trip from Nevada to California, I stumbled upon a gem of a stopover. Anne and I were camped at Sportsman Beach Campground on Walker Lake, headed to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex for some photography. It’s a long haul—six or seven hours depending on traffic—so I needed … Read more
When I last updated you, we were boondocking outside of Ehrenberg, Arizona, and had just replaced our worn trailer tires after a fast leak event. As I planned our course northward this spring, I wanted to explore the HWY 95 route up the western side of Nevada. Looking at the long-range forecast, I could see … Read more
In this video, I test and tear down a new LiFePO4 battery offering from Renogy. The DuoHeat Tech—Core Mini 12V 100Ah is one of the most compact 100Ah lithium batteries on the market. Renogy is a well-known company that has been around for a while with economical price points. It is a group 22NF, 45% … Read more
Here is a look at the smallest Bluetti power station in their product lineup. The AC2A weighs only 7.9 lbs and has dimensions of 9.8inｘ6.1inｘ6.8in. Even though it is small, it still has a battery capacity of 204 watt-hours and can output up to 300 watts of continuous AC power and handle a surge of … Read more
In this video, I demo a pair of inexpensive liquid transfer pumps from Magam. One is a macerator pump for draining our RV waste tanks, and the other is a water transfer pump for filling the fresh water tank. They are much less expensive than my Flojet and USA Adventure Gear pumps. We’ll see if … Read more
I’ve done quite a few reviews on lithium batteries, mostly focusing on the higher-end, pricier models like Lion Energy, SFK, and Xantrex. But recently, I’ve been encouraged to look at more budget-friendly options. I took a look at a battery from WattCycle, their 12V 300 Ah Mini, which is significantly cheaper than the upscale models. … Read more
In this part one video, my first look and a quick test of an interesting 12V 300Ah lithium battery from a company called SFK (SunFunKits). Don’t let the funny name fool you. This is a sweet looking, well-put-together battery made in the USA. It has more features than I’ve ever encountered in all my battery … Read more