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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Boondocking, Solar Power, and Related Items -> boondocking with a scooter?
Post Info TOPIC: boondocking with a scooter?
sologal


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boondocking with a scooter?
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Hi, I hope someone here can answer this for me as I can't find it anywhere online. I will be doing a lot of boondocking in my travels and I have a mobility scooter. I do not have an inverter just a converter in my small class "c". I am not worried about not having power to the unit at this time but I do need to charge my scooter. I want to buy a portable generator to plug the charger in and charge the 2 batteries [12 volt] on the scooter as this will be my transportation as I am not hauling a car. Is this possible? Also would a portable charge the house batteries if wanted? Sorry one more question. Would I use an adapter to step down the 30 amp plug to a 15 to plug into the generator for using the microwave ? Thanks for any help, I do not know how much power a charger uses but I assume it is not much and probably a trickle charge equal to a car battery charger. I do know I need a portable of at least 1100w for the mic but I do not want one any larger as I only have one arm [among my many problems] and I can't lift anything bigger than the 46lbs on a good day. Take care, .......Debbie



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Terry and Jo


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Debbie,

To get an idea to start with, look into something like the Yamaha or Honda generators.

Yamaha Website

Honda Website

Both of those brands in the 2000 series will be close to that 46 pounds you mention.  Honda lists theirs as "under 47" lbs and Yamaha says 44.1 pounds.  However, keep in mind that those weights are "dry weight" and do not include the weight of the gasoline in the tanks.  Since you've mentioned the 46 pounds, I suspect that you have already checked these out.  Jo and I have a Honda EU3000IS generator and have been very pleased with it, especially because it is so quiet in the Eco mode.  When you get into the 2000 series of those two brands, both can be hooked in parallel to double ones wattage and amperage.

There are adapters that allow a 30 amp RV power cable to plug into a 20 amp normal household outlet.  Yes, that arrangement should work to recharge the RV's batteries.  I don't know about the Yamaha as I didn't see an accessory that allows the Yamaha to work as a charger for your scooter or automobile batteries.  However, one could buy a regular automotive battery charger and run the generator to power that.  The Honda does have an optional cable set that allow the generator itself to charge 12V batteries.  However, I couldn't find what the output amp rating is when using the optional cable set for charging 12V.  You may need to get in touch with a dealer to see if they can tell you what that amperage output would be.  The overall output in amps for the generator is 8 amps, but they may step the amps down when using the optional charging cables.

It has been a long time since I owned a trickle charger, but I looked at one Sears model that said it charged at a rate of 2 to 4 amps and had "float mode monitoring" for charging.  I'm thinking that in most cases, a slow trickle charge at 2 to 4 amps would help the batteries last longer.

Terry



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sologal


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Thanks for replying so quickly Terry. I have the charger for the scooter it just needs to be plugged in, but I don't know if a generator works the same as 110 power. If it would work to charge the house batteries then it should work for the scooter. Thanks for the 8 amps info, I will remember that when shopping for one. Dry weights is fine as I would fill it when needed. I am assuming it is a trickle charge as they say to plug the scooter in after every use regardless of power loss, but we all know what "assume" means. Thanks again......Deb

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el Rojo and Pam


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Yes the generator works the same as 110 power. I would "assume" the scooter charger has the typical 20 amp plug such as a coffee pot, where as the motor home would have a 30 amp plug. Most 2000 watt generators don't come with 30 amp receptacles. As Terry said you have to hook two generators together in series to have 30 amps. I doubt you need 30 amps to run your microwave though, just your AC. You could also buy an adapter for your 30 amp plug to plug into a 20 amp receptacle that would probably run the microwave.

Another thought would be to install a rv generator in your class C. Then you could just plug the scooter into an outside outlet and have power for the microwave as well. This would probably be a little more expensive if you couldn't find a used one, but it might be better over all. Not sure of your location but I did hear about a used one in North Texas a few months ago. I could check on it if you wanted me to.





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el Rojo and Pam


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Oops! just saw you were from Canada. North TX might not be a option.

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Lucky Mike


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Deb.....

your Generator must be 2500 watts or greater or at least 2000.......the reason I say this is ghosting power , things draw power within the Rv that you dont realize ....also just the microwave at 1100 is a heavy draw on the generator not including the converter that is working to charge the batteries and keep your lights on.... the best and safest way to insure no problems is to add all major wattage draws and divide them by 100....the answer is how many amps will be drawn if they all were on......knowing that would help in premature failure of the stator on the generator or worse..

as terry has said look into a honda or yamaha type generator if it is for the long run......if it is not in the budget at least try to stay away from the cheap china knock-offs....

a 2500 watt generator will run normal day to day operations or keep an electric heater going with lite power usage onboard....it will also run an air conditioner independently....

I understand weight is an issue but you will see that most power generators have scaled down in size since inverters have become there power source..

I carry a small 2000 watt colman unit for back-up it has been pretty faithful when needed for lite usage and is pretty quite while running....I have limited mobility and am in the same boat when it comes time to lift things or move them around....the smaller high wattage inverter / generators are great!!!

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Bill and Linda


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Let me echo Mike’s comments about “cheep, knock off” generators.  All lower power generators, even those 5,500 watt Onan/Cummins many of us have installed from the factory, don’t produce the “cleanest” power in the world.  However they produce very clean power in comparison to those cheep ones from the hardware or home improvement stores.

If you just use the generator to charge house batteries via a charger or the like that’s sort of one thing.  But if you plan on feeding the power to more sensitive equipment, including microwaves, entertainment equipment or things that can have small controller computers in them, they can do damage to this equipment.  I’ve see it firsthand, FWIW  So you get what you pay for and Honda is a good choice, IMO.

Bill



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sologal


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Thanks All for the info. I do plan on getting a Honda portable because I have learnt as we all have that some items need to be of a certain quality others not so much. I think I am going to go with just a portable for now and once I am full time year round I will add and adjust all the extras I will want. I think being out there will give me a proper perspective and I don't want to "waste" money now and find out a better option was available. Trying hard not to re-do things so I thought I would just have spare funds and get what I need once I know what that is- Ha Ha. I am more of a camper I guess [used to roughing it] but I know I will want more and more comforts as I go along. Having storage in my little 24' will be an issue so everything small is best. I have never used the a/c cause I have never really been anywhere warm enough to have to use it, things like that will change once I get going. Thanks el Rojo, but yes Texas is a little ways away. Mike I like the "pint size" statement. Hope to eventually meet some of you at one of those rallies where it is warm...Take care....Deb

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el Rojo and Pam


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I tip my hat to you for trying to get it right the first time. I wish I had my money back from all my re-do's. lol.

I guess we're getting smarter though, we just bought our first 5th wheel coming out of a MH. It doesn't have a generator, washer/dryer and only has 1 battery. We decided to see what we missed before we loaded it up with all the extras.

Deb, keep us up to date on your travels.

Red

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sologal


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Hi Red, "Trying" is the key word, but that is all part of the fun. I don't really need much when I am out and about for a month or 2 but in spring when it's full time I know I will want extras as I see others set ups. Although I don't think too many full timers are in these small units but all the solar and generator, battery, water heating, info will eventually help as I think I will be in a 5er 8 or so yrs down the road. I just put in a brand new factory engine in this unit [cost me $10,000] so I plan to be in it until it dies which I hope is a while-fingers crossed!!! I do have an older 27' class c which is wonderful and a wayyyy smoother ride but even with a new engine it would have been a repair nightmare down the road so I opted for this smaller set up to start. I put on a triple receiver hitch to fit a scooter lift I bought to transport the scooter but now I am thinking of hauling a small cargo mate trailer to carry the scooter and store all the extra gear. See I already am going bigger and I have not even left the driveway --Ha Ha!!! Hope your new 5th wheel turns out to be fantastic for you two and have a wonderful winter season......Deb

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