Camping Gear Thread
- Thread starter garzanium
- Start date
CowboyTaco
Well-Known Member
Yes. It went from talking about camping gear to talking about camping....to just the kind of talk while camping.
...at least no one has tripped into the fire...yet
. Sorry, couldn't resist that one.
It was impressive no matter how you look at it.
CowboyTaco
Well-Known Member
It was a good time.
@bakerla , if you want to talk about camping gear, come drop your experience with your ARB over here: The 12v Fridge/Freezer Thread
@bakerla , if you want to talk about camping gear, come drop your experience with your ARB over here: The 12v Fridge/Freezer Thread
Silverback
Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
This guys vids are great.
bakerla
Man, Myth, Legend
I don't have one. I'm in the market and Dometic is what I'm looking at.
Silverback
Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
As good of luck as I have had with my ARB, I'd have a hard time not getting one again. But I would do a ton of research before pulling that $1000 band-aid off.
I do not leave my fridge in my 4R running all the time; but I have had no problems with my old Dometic so far. I use it in the house 3-4 times a year and probably 5-7 times a year in the 4R off the top of my head.
CowboyTaco
Well-Known Member
Why did I think that you had an ARB under the RTT?
Are you looking at flashlights now?
TacoXpo
HOAX DENIER
Apparently she wanted 12 inches and the only way she'd get it was to have it put in 3 times!I had a buddy who was dating this damn hot chic, she moved in. Anyhow about 3 -4 months go by and he breaks it off with her and she moved out. He said she just had to have sex too often, like 3x a day. He worked from home and said he couldn't get any work done! Holy crap, what a problem to have!!
Silverback
Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
No, I already have several. His reviews are just great.
CowboyTaco
Well-Known Member
I don't really think this warrants a new thread, but let's talk about power stations as camping gear. I'm leaning very heavily toward something like the Jackery 250 to help power a yet-to-be-purchased fridge.
Before you tell me to go dual battery or go home, hear me out. I sent someone a message on TW about a dual batt tray they are selling for the Tacoma. I also already have an isolator and everything I would need to complete a dual batt setup except for the actual second battery and tray. So I may go that route for the taco. However, I haven't found any dual battery setups for the current generation Expedition. Road trips and family camping will likely take place in the Expedition, so I'd like the ability to seamlessly go between vehicles. Even if there was a dual battery option for the Ford, I'd still be looking at 2 new batteries + 2 battery trays + 1 more isolator + wires + connectors. Let's just conservatively say that all of that is $500. Realistically, it would be higher and not all the components exist.
The Jackassery 240 is $250 and claims that it can run a fridge for up to 18 hours. Considering it would charge any time the vehicle is powered on, I think it would be realistic to expect it to last for a weekend camping trip. Possibly longer since the compressor doesn't run all the time. Especially if you were to supplement the charge with solar. I know adding a solar charger adds expense, but the Home Depot deal of the day has a 40W briefcase solar panel with charge controller for $88.
So, I'm thinking that this makes a compelling argument for a portable power station.
Before you tell me to go dual battery or go home, hear me out. I sent someone a message on TW about a dual batt tray they are selling for the Tacoma. I also already have an isolator and everything I would need to complete a dual batt setup except for the actual second battery and tray. So I may go that route for the taco. However, I haven't found any dual battery setups for the current generation Expedition. Road trips and family camping will likely take place in the Expedition, so I'd like the ability to seamlessly go between vehicles. Even if there was a dual battery option for the Ford, I'd still be looking at 2 new batteries + 2 battery trays + 1 more isolator + wires + connectors. Let's just conservatively say that all of that is $500. Realistically, it would be higher and not all the components exist.
The Jackassery 240 is $250 and claims that it can run a fridge for up to 18 hours. Considering it would charge any time the vehicle is powered on, I think it would be realistic to expect it to last for a weekend camping trip. Possibly longer since the compressor doesn't run all the time. Especially if you were to supplement the charge with solar. I know adding a solar charger adds expense, but the Home Depot deal of the day has a 40W briefcase solar panel with charge controller for $88.
So, I'm thinking that this makes a compelling argument for a portable power station.
CowboyTaco
Well-Known Member
Woot has one called the "Rocksolar 400W" for $340. That seems like a reasonable deal. It's less than $1 per Wh and should last a decent amount longer than the claimed 18h of the Jackery 240. I mean, logically, you would think that almost double the battery capacity should equate to almost double the runtime, right? So that would be closer to what, 34 hours?
The Jackery seems to be a favorite among "overlanders." People who seem to have more money and gadgets than actually spend time out on the trails. But those people with enough money to buy whatever they want whenever they decide to purchase on a whim aren't buying the cheapest crap possible. It seems like it gets good reviews and should be relatively low maintenance. I like that the Jackery, and many of their competitors, have a digital readout that shows how much power is being pulled at any given time. The Rocksolar does not have that.
Brands like Yeti and Inergy are too expensive for me to consider at this time, and I don't really want to risk one of the millions of Chinese no-name brands that Amazon has for sale.
The Jackery seems to be a favorite among "overlanders." People who seem to have more money and gadgets than actually spend time out on the trails. But those people with enough money to buy whatever they want whenever they decide to purchase on a whim aren't buying the cheapest crap possible. It seems like it gets good reviews and should be relatively low maintenance. I like that the Jackery, and many of their competitors, have a digital readout that shows how much power is being pulled at any given time. The Rocksolar does not have that.
Brands like Yeti and Inergy are too expensive for me to consider at this time, and I don't really want to risk one of the millions of Chinese no-name brands that Amazon has for sale.
CowboyTaco
Well-Known Member
Here's one that has the digital current draw readout that is a bit less expensive. https://www.amazon.com/Portable-624...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
What's interesting is that it shows the ability to run a fridge for 4 hours despite the battery capacity being simlar to the Jackery.
....makes you wonder.
What's interesting is that it shows the ability to run a fridge for 4 hours despite the battery capacity being simlar to the Jackery.
....makes you wonder.
Oswego
n00b
IMHO knowing what I know now I would recommend taking into consideration the weight of a second battery up front next to the other one. Our trucks are weak up front and already crack apart in that area so more weight could cause more damage over time. Ive got cracks up there with one battery and only 94k
Silverback
Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
Yep, move it to the bed.
Silverback
Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
Or that as well!