These are posts that are related to dry camping AKA Boondocking
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
The Tornado 30000 charger charges 6/12/24 volt led acid and lithium batteries. It also includes 12V and 24V constant power supply modes. It’s an intelligent charger with nine stages and a lead acid battery repair mode. In this part one video, I review the main features of this versatile battery charger from TOPDON. Then perform … Read more
In this video, I repair a crucial piece of boondocking equipment, my Flojet macerator pump. After a routine cleaning, I noticed a drip from the motor end developed the next time I used it. Some troubleshooting lead me to a worn-out rubber shaft seal. Rather than order and replace it, I decided to order what’s … Read more
In this video, I hook up and test the new Charger 1 from Bluetti. The Charger 1 device transfers up to 560 watts of charging power from your vehicle’s battery/alternator to Bluetti power stations. This allows for much faster recharging times than the traditional 12V automotive power sockets, which are limited to about 100 watts. … Read more
Experience the beauty of free RV desert camping at Trona Pinnacles National Natural Landmark in Southern California. This stunning location is perfect for a peaceful and unique camping experience. The video was taken in late November and early December. I will show you our camping site at the Trona Pinnacles. Also included is a look … Read more
This video reviews the 80 amp Li Time charger for 12V Lithium (LIFePO4) type batteries. I’ve done several charger reviews in the past, but this one has a much higher amperage output. Now that lithium battery prices have dropped, many RVers are installing larger amp-hour capacities. Something like this may be an ideal upgrade. I … Read more
I’ve augmented our RV and boat refrigerator for five years with a second portable AC/DC unit. The portable unit can be a fridge or a deep freezer, which allows for many handy uses while camping. I use it in fridge mode to slowly defrost large pieces of meat like roasts or turkey, store beverages for … Read more
Introduction Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to use and review several of the Bluetti portable lithium power stations: the AC200P, AC200 MAX, AC300, and AC70. The earlier generations did have a few drawbacks, in my eyes, like no app, dim touch screens, slow recharge times, etc. However, Bluetti has listened … Read more
A look at a new CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide) 360-degree flexible thin-filmed solar panel from BougeRV. The panel features new technology that allows it to be rolled up! Being super thin and lightweight makes it perfect for mounting on curved surfaces found on many RVs and boats. In this video, I mount it on … Read more
In this video, I examine two products from Power Queen. Power Queen is a seller of lithium batteries. Rather than review a battery, though, I wanted to check out a pair of their accessories: a 40 amp lithium charger and a battery monitor display panel with a 500A shunt. First, I unbox them, review the … Read more
Over the last ten years, we have embraced camping off-grid, using mainly solar power to recharge our RV/Boat batteries. During that time, I purchased and installed seven 100-watt Renogy solar panels and a 40-amp Renogy DC-DC Charger. All the items have performed well, with some in constant use for ten years. Here is a link … Read more
In this video, I’m taking a look at a rodent repellent I’ve been testing in our trailer called Fresh Cab. So far, it’s been good after four months of use on our trip through the southwestern USA. No mice have bothered us. I will buy another four-pack and test it out this summer when the … Read more
In this video, we look around and provide information on a sweet, low-cost BLM (Bureau of Land Management) campground in the northwest corner of Arizona. It is just off Interstate 15, about 20 miles from St. George, Utah, and Mesquite, Nevada. We visited in mid-March 2024, and the temperature was ideal for dry camping: mostly … Read more
Over the last few years, I have tested and reviewed several SRNE chargers with good results. I’ve used a couple of their 40 amp MPPT solar controllers and the 50 amp DC-DC Charger with MPPT. Recently, they contacted me and asked if I would help spread the word about their upcoming complete 12V off-grid package … Read more
Recently, the folks at SOK Battery offered to send me one of their newest models to review. I jumped at the chance, impressed with a past SOK 100Ah battery I reviewed in 2020. The SK12V280H model sports a total capacity of 280Ah 3594 watt-hours at 12.8V plus built-in heating pads for charging capability in environments … Read more