Alternative to solar power?
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6607
Printed Date: 22 Oct 2025 at 8:15pm
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Topic: Alternative to solar power?
Posted By: shroomer
Subject: Alternative to solar power?
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 7:48am
We can't use solar power to recharge our batteries because we always camp in the woods and in the shade. Don't like the heat. I've noticed though that just about every time we go camping it rains. Usual biblical amounts of rain. So has any genius out there come up with a way to convert all that hydro energy into electricity? I'd buy something like that. Of course it would just stop raining then.
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Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6
New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8
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Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 7:54am
Since all you need to do is recharge batteries, buy the smallest quietest genny Honda makes, the 1000i, sips fuel and you can run it under your picnic table while you eat and not hear it.
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Posted By: shroomer
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 8:16am
I just want to convert rain to electricity!
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Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6
New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 8:27am
It's done all the time. Unfortunately, it requires very large reservoirs of rainwater (snow melt works too) and turbines that are generally too big to haul around in a travel trailer. A lot of campgrounds utilize these devices though very few have their own.
TT
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser
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Posted By: shroomer
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 9:02am
If we can catch sunbeams and turn them into electrons, why not rain drops? C'mon you engineers - no more excuses! We don't need kilowatts.
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Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6
New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8
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Posted By: JohnBG
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 9:39am
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If you camp near a creek with flowing water there are some small home build generator kits that you could use, google them.
As far as rain drops, you can't pull more energy out of them than the kinetic energy they have. It would take millions of raindrops to produce a useable amount of energy.
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2010 R-Pod RP-171
2010 Honda Ridgeline TV
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Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 11:29am
OK. My first post and it always feels like a stupid question, but what runs on DC besides lights and furnace fan? Also, can't you just use the TV like a generator? (Plug into bargeman and idle?) If so, how long would it take to charge?
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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab
New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd
2016 F150 4x4 Sport
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Posted By: JohnBG
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 12:25pm
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Lights , bathroom fan, Water pump, propane sensor, fridge electronics, fridge (but not for long if you set it that way), and inverter electronics all run on 12VDC.
I have seen folks fire up their tow vehicle and rev the engine to put some charge on the battery. Not sure how well it works, for now I have only camped at places with electric and water hookups.
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2010 R-Pod RP-171
2010 Honda Ridgeline TV
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Posted By: podrunner
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 12:48pm
If you are going to plug in the bargman and idle, better choice is jumper cables. 1/2 hour of idle time will put a substantial charge back in the RV battery.
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2010 R Pod 151
2017 4runner
2006 Honda Metropolitan
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Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 5:19pm
So...bypass the Bargman and just jump directly from TV battery to TT battery? Is there any downside to that? Why would I want a generator if I can just charge that way. Isn't my TV just one big generator?
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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab
New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd
2016 F150 4x4 Sport
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 5:34pm
Originally posted by GLBCamper
So...bypass the Bargman and just jump directly from TV battery to TT battery? Is there any downside to that? Why would I want a generator if I can just charge that way. Isn't my TV just one big generator? |
Because you Bargman is at best a 12g wire, and the circuit is wired and fused to only allow 10-15A through it. Your jumper cables are 0 gauge or so, and can move 100's of amps. Your alternator can send it's full capability to the pods battery. Charging 10x's faster is always better.
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 8:00pm
Originally posted by GLBCamper
So...bypass the Bargman and just jump directly from TV battery to TT battery? Is there any downside to that? Why would I want a generator if I can just charge that way. Isn't my TV just one big generator? |
Using the TV to charge your pod battery is usually just an emergency measure because of the hassle and expense. A 6 or 8 cylinder $20,000 to $60,000 generator isn't exactly efficient. Some campgrounds don't allow it, and where they do, it's just about the least efficient way to go. Plus, all you're going to get is 12v. With a generator you can run the air, the oven, and anything else, depending on the size of the generator, while charging your battery for quiet hours.
If you're happy with just 12v and really just want to keep the battery charged, using jumper cables will work. I'm not sure where the gas bill and wear and tear on your vehicle gets to be greater than the cost of a quiet little generator but there is a big convenience factor to a generator too.
TT
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser
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Posted By: shroomer
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2015 at 10:58pm
Okay. So I was trying to be humorous about collecting electricity from rain. But guess what? I googled it and it may be real someday. Maybe not enough to light your microwave, but maybe enough to put a little charge in your battery?
http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2008/jan/29/plastic-converts-raindrops-to-electricity - http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2008/jan/29/plastic-converts-raindrops-to-electricity
Oh, and using your car to charge your RV battery ain't necessarily a bad idea. You'll burn about a half a gallon per hour and put virtually no wear on your engine since the load is miniscule. Noise and pollution are also limited from an idling engine. You won't be getting any nasty looks from your neighbors. Fortunately my batteries hold out for my whole trip so I don't worry about it, but I'd go jumper cables in a pinch.
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Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6
New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2015 at 1:07am
I'd do it in a pinch too, if I was allowed to, and maybe if I wasn't but it is in the printed rules at some campgrounds that using vehicles to charge batteries is not allowed. It is loud, or it certainly can be, and it can definitely draw nasty looks. A lot depends on the situation.
TT
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser
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