Boondocking and Bikes

Well, the first legit test of the system is in the books. So how did the Minnie do? Actually, pretty good. Albeit, we didn’t need AC which is a huge benefit.

So when we rolled out on day 1 before 6am we were at 99% and after setting up, running the little stick vacuum (where is all this sawdust still coming from?), cooking dinner, etc we dropped to 73%. ‘Twas a sunny day.

Day 2 we were running the microwave for breakfast and dinner, the Keurig, the standard utilities except AC, and a few other minor draws. After the solar did its job, we bounced back to 80%. Another sunny day.

Day 3 was a mix of sun and clouds and after dropping to 70% the previous night we still bounced back to 77%. The draws were still relatively the same except we ate dinner out, so no nuking any dinner sides this round. Though I did charge up some camera batteries before cutting out.

However, while we were out at dinner I did fire up the little 1800 watt generator to top off the battery. We knew we would be facing rain the next couple of days and we didn’t want to be caught out. Better to be prepared than regretting not running the generator when we could.

Our forth day was wet. Not quite build an ark wet but it was a lot of mixed wet conditions. So solar didn’t have the chance to even offset the draw from just the fridge. That fridge is the biggest steady draw on the system by the way.

The next morning was all about packing up and setting out for home. I believe the battery was still showing 68ish percent while we were still in transit. So all in all, pretty good.

So would I recommend the FLX package? That depends, I’d be curious to see how much the full Truma package runs just on its own sans the solar/lithium/converter upgrades. The Truma systems really are stellar. If cost is a consideration or if you always plan on being connected at campgrounds, it really isn’t a benefit. For mixed use and/or for upgraded components that are quick, efficient, and quieter than it really is the way to go.

To be cont.

The first real test

First real test of our home away from home