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Jhering86
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2023 04:30pm
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Hello all, newb here with a question. We have an off grid hunting cabin that we use only a couple months out of the year. We have a generator that runs the camp but never use it because of noise. We currently use propane gas lamps to light the cabin but my dad recently has been asking about brighter alternatives. I’ve been researching some choices and have come across some options. My main question is, is it possible to run the whole cabin on a 12v battery with an inverter? The only thing we really need the power for is some lights in the cabin. Or would it make more sense to run something else?
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Whiskerbiscuit
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2023 04:41pm
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If all you need is lights, I wouldn't even bother with the inverter since you're just losing 25% in the conversion to AC...just get 12v LED lights and hook them up directly.
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Steve_S
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2023 06:18pm
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Given that you mention a generator, you are obviously doing more than and while using gas lamps. Shudder at those memories...
These days those Battery Powerpack/Generators can be had for $350 USD for a respectable one. no gas, oil or muss, take it home, charge it... Backup power on hand if something happens and quiet. IF you need to recharge without grid power, you can do it with a small gas genny, doesn't take long (relative to size of course).
Stick to well reviewed name brands, no kickstarter projects. Also best to get a model that has been on the market for over 1 year.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2023 06:29pm
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We have run just such since the mid '80's in two diff cabins. At first it was with the old style RV Edison base light bulbs (energy hogs) and various lead acid batteries, like 'marine' trolling type.
Now there are much better options, game changing actually.
I suggest:
Led lights, NO incandescents
Small device chargers, like USB ports also are minimal draw so you can charge phones, etc. or run things that are USB plug powered.
A 12v LFP battery or battery pack can run that stuff and be lightweight, though a bit pricey up front. My LFP bats have integral USB ports. If you use 12v LED lighting you have only the two battery wires to connect in cabin, though the + lead should be fused. If each light or section lighting has its own switch there is no need for a complicated elec service box, switches, etc.
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travellerw
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2023 11:26pm
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Lithium Power station.. 600wh (ish) should be perfect for lights and phone charging (upto 3 phones) for 3 days. You can run 12V lights off it if you want, or take the %10 efficiency hit and just run 120V LEDs. At 600Wh it should be fine with the loss in efficiency.
Stick with good brands like Ecoflow, Bluetti, ect.
They run about $1/wh CAD.. So %30 less in USD (about $420-450).
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Brettny
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2023 08:29am
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If the generator currently powers 120v lights I wouldnt rewire the cabin and put 12v lights in. Just use a power station for the few days a year.
Those old propane lights go for a prety penny on ebay. I bought about 6 a few years ago to put in our cabin that I'm currently building.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2023 10:11am
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Yeah that, it is too easy to put inexpensive LED bulbs into existing fixtures (we got ours cheap in 4pks at the Restore). So much better than the old kero lamps we used when the 'marine' battery went flat and makes a battery last faarrr longer.
Downside, if you can call it that, is that unlike gas or liquid fuel lamps or incandescents is no heat thrown off.
Question: Do you drive up to the cabin; ie, are the vehicles close?
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Jhering86
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2023 10:47am
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Yeah drive to cabin, vehicles parked right outside.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2023 02:17pm
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That gives you vehicle charging for cell phones, etc. and easy transport of even old tech lead acid 'marine' battery(s). Even easy recharging of such with jumper cables and letting a car/truck top one off every day with 1/2 - 1hr run time (quieter than a typical gen).
For that matter you could even have an inverter under the hood of one and run an extension cable to the cabin (use an RV exterior plug if you want to be fancy).
LED lights draw so little that of an evening's use you'd never draw the vehicle battery down too far.
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Grizzlyman
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# Posted: 4 Sep 2023 08:15pm
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12v deep cycle Battery + cheap solar panel/controller+ LED lights. Done. Powered my cabin for 3 years thus far this way.
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shingobeek
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# Posted: 13 Sep 2023 07:50pm - Edited by: shingobeek
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I am in Northern MN and started this way as well......I have a 2200 gas preditor, a 10K watt Generac Construction genny, a 250 jackery, a 1000 jackery, a 100 watt portable soloar panel! Oh and it came with 4 propane lights and a propane fridge! All off grid, boat access, 1 bar LTE ATT service in one particular spot.
For just the two of us, and even with one visitor, we use the 1000 jackery charge phones, run USB cord fans, watch 27" flat screen TV on rainy days, charge ipad.......even all day with that I move outside early in the AM hook up the portable solar panels out on the deck and by 12 noon back to 100%....there is just two of us....rainy day whatever you can hook it to generator and charge as well in like 5 hours...but its noisy and burns gas......anyhow, just sharing my experiences....check out those portables like Jackery. I hav no interest in that company it just what my wife purchased!
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Aklogcabin
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# Posted: 16 Sep 2023 10:31am
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We have been using a generator and led lights when it's running or needed. Usually in the evening. I have 2 12v batteries and a battery charger. I start the generator and power up the batteries, use the led lights. And charge up the phone or computer. And a battery pack. If I am using the refrigerator/freezer I fire it up nightly to keep things cold. I use coleman gas lanterns for lights when generator not running. If I am not worried about refrigeration I can go a couple days without running the generator.
For just part time use a lot of folks will just use a small generator and burn some gas. For a few bucks a day you can run a 1000w generator. For us, keeping it simple works best.
What do you hunt for
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 20 Jul 2024 06:53pm - Edited by: gcrank1
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Oh my....Prime Day got me 
Been kinda watching these portable power supply/aio units the past year or so and I do have uses for the smaller size as Ive been using an old lead acid 'jump start' pack for years as portable power. The 20ah battery has been tired but I keep it plugged into the aux cig lighter port in the suv so it is always topped up. And it is heavy for what it is but has usb port, cig lighter port and I put an SAE line/plug on in place of the old hd bat clamps.
Somehow I got linked into the Prime Day and saw the EcoFlow River 2 was down to about $170usd and I popped for it. Should be here in a couple days to give it the shake down run. Based upon my good lfp experiences with the 2x 100ah bats Im thinking this little guy with lfp should do as much and more than the old jump pack as it has a built in inverter for some light duty 120vac. I don't intend it to run the cabin!, just some stuff here and there so I don't have to run wiring (Ive come to hate wiring).
I'll likely post up a separate review.
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