These are posts that are related to dry camping AKA Boondocking
In this video, I add two more Renogy 100-watt solar panels to go with my existing 5 for a total now of 700 watts. I explain how I mounted and wired them from the rooftop all the way down to my battery bank, located in the fifth-wheel trailer from the storage compartment. I also show … Read more
In this video, I review the Energizer 2000 watt generator. (Model eZV2000P) First, we have a look at the controls, features, and included accessories. Then we remove the covers and have a look inside. After a tour inside, I perform various comparison tests against the larger eZV3200P 3200-watt model and my 8-year old Champion 2000 … Read more
In this 2019/20 RV snowbird trip update, we leave Death Valley National Park and overnight in a casino parking lot at Primm, Nevada. The next day we head over to Davis Camp on the Colorado River near Laughlin NV and Bullhead City AZ. Along the way, we stop to look at the thick forest of … Read more
In this video, I show you our path south from Astoria, Oregon all the way south to California, near Sacramento. During the 652 miles (1049 km) of travel south, we overnighted a 4 different free dry camping locations. 2 casinos, an air museum, and a Camping World store lot. 1) Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum … Read more
In this video, I conclude my initial review of my new Lion Energy Safari UT 1200 lithium batteries. I have 3 of their 12V 90Ah batteries wired in parallel to produce a 270Ah bank. They are replacing 4 Interstate 6V golf cart batteries we have used for the last 3-4 years. So far, I’ve published … Read more
In this video, I install a remote disconnect switch for my 500-watt solar panel array. I wanted a solar disconnect switch so I can manually disconnect the charging current to my new Lion Energy lithium battery bank before they come to a 100% state of charge. I’ve read if the lithium bank is only charged … Read more
Recently I was offered for review one of Jackery’s newest off-grid products. The Explorer 500 portable power station. The product looked pretty sweet and boasted decent power capacity via a 518 watt-hour lithium battery and a 500-watt pure sine inverter plus 120 watts max DC power output ports. I decided to take Jackery up on … Read more
Now that I have installed and begun my review of the Lion Energy Safari UT lithium iron phosphate (LIFePO4) battery, there have been quite a few questions popping up from my LYRV readers and viewers. Rather than continue to answer the common questions over and over, I’ve decided to publish Q & A type post … Read more
In this first video, I introduce you to Lion Energy’s Safari UT battery that I will be installing in our Cougar fifth-wheel trailer. The Safari UT is a 12V 90AH Lithium Iron Phosphate battery designed as a drop-in replacement for typical lead-acid type batteries found in RVs. I’ll be removing my current battery bank consisting … Read more
Introduction We do a bunch of boondocking on BLM and Forestry lands and dry camping in National, State and County parks. Because of this we often find ourselves without electrical hookups and no way to run our rooftop air conditioner to cool the RV during hot days. We could fire up our two 2000 watt Champion … Read more
About four years ago I reviewed a small so-called “solar generator” power box called a Renogy Firefly. The Firefly had meager power output and a small 16 amp hour battery capacity. I didn’t find it suitable for RVing so lost interest in these type of products. Lately, though they have become more and more common, … Read more
In this video, I provide an overview and footage from our recent stay in the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is located in southern Arizona about 60 miles southwest of Tucson. Camping is free with a max stay of 14 days in a 30 day period. There are over 60 designated campsites, many … Read more
In this video, I give a quick overview of our 500 watts RV solar power system. You can see the full detail explanation and diagrams in the past post and video – Detailed Look at Our DIY RV Boondocking Power System I go through all the things it powers in the rig. From devices, we plug … Read more
When I first started boondocking in the US southwest desert regions, I would sometimes see other campers with their vehicle hood left open. I didn’t pay much attention to it figuring they were using the truck or motorhome battery for camping. It wasn’t until I first visited Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument that I learned … Read more
A little over 4 years ago I installed a 12 VDC FanTastic RV roof vent fan in the main living area of our Keystone Cougar trailer. I installed it mainly to help keep us cool when off-grid camping (aka boondocking) and for quickly removing excess moisture and cooking odors from the RV. Overall I’ve been … Read more