Mobile office space

[cadman70454]

[p]I've been looking at travel trailers and settled on the Bearcat 16 FK.  My intent is to put my CAD office (drafting) into the Bearcat and work from remote locations out west for a week to a month at a time.  Meanwhile, at night I'll set up my telescope for dark sky views and astro photos.  I'd like any suggestions or guidance that anyone has for me, as I've never owned a travel trailer and I now have Rhumetoid Arthritis.  I help contribute to Phil Michelson's income.  I visited a local TT rental yesterday.  He has a Camp Lite 13QBB & 16 DB for rent.  They are over 2 years old, heavily used and are in "new" shape.  They hold up well.  I'm going to rent the 16 for a week just to make sure I can handle it and so can the Silverado (6800 lb capacity).[/p][p]
[/p][p]So I settled on the Bearcat 16 because of the roominess and open feel (from the pictures).  I can set up a 5' long table for a workspace that can stay set up for the duration and with the ramp down and pull down rear screen closing off the open end, it looks well ventilated.[/p][p]
[/p][p]My question is, as usual, electrical supply.  My work station is 425 watts.  I use a 27" flat screen and a Canon inkjet printer.  I have an external HD for backup and a UPS.  Along with that is the standard camping usage for microwave a few times a day, led lighting, refrigerator (with propane?) and anything else that you guys might mention.  I've looked at a Honda 2000w and a Yamaha 3000w for a power supply.  I'd like to run my computer setup using a 2000w pure sine inverter hooked to a battery bank until the batteries reach optimum discharge, then recharge with the generator and supplement things with the generator when needed.  Right now, the Yamaha is winning because of the electric start and the remote start feature.  I'm not sure I can pull the start cord on a manual start (my small chainsaw is a challenge for me).  Also the remote start means I can put the generator in the front of the bed of the truck, run an extension chord to the back of the truck bed, plug the trailer into the extension without getting into the bed of the truck and press the button on the remote.[/p][p]
[/p][p]How many batteries would I need to run the computer for 12 hrs a day?[/p][p]
[/p][p]After running the batteries down, how long will it take to recharge them?[/p][p]
[/p][p]Is what I'm thinking of doing reasonably feasible or will I mostly just have to run a generator whenever I want to draw (work).[/p][p]
[/p][p]I've read about solar and am all for it, but for starters I want plug & play.  If things work out, I'll go in that direction over time.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Lowell[/p]

[mitch]

The short answer is more batteries than you can carry.  Given the inefficiencies of an inverter to get from 12 volt to 120 volt so you can plug in your workstation it's just not doable for any length of time.  Your 425 watt workstation would draw 38.64 amp-hrs from your battery each hour that you use it. Going down the math road says you'd need 927 amp-hrs worth of battery for 12 working hours.  For comparison the standard single deep cycle battery many of us use is 85 amp-hrs but you can really only use 1/2 of it before you damage the battery. Some folks use 2 golf cart batteries wired up to give them 220 amp-hrs of capacity. I'm afraid a generator is your choice for work.  

Also, as I'm sure you've thought of, many campgrounds that don't have power for the trailer to plug into also have limited generator hours, maybe a couple hours in the morning and a couple in the evening. If you're just way out in the boonies you just have to argue with the wildlife though  

[tinkeringtechie]

[p][span style="font-size:10pt;"]My work station is 425 watts.[/span]
[/p]

Where did you get this figure from? It seems really high. I'm typing this on one of three 27" monitors connected to an 8-core behemoth and sipping 242 watts for everything combined.

For an average machine with one monitor you should be looking at 100ish watts. That might be possible off of batteries if you do it right. If your machine is compatible you might want to check out converting it to DC only:

http://www.mini-box.com/M4-ATX?sc=8&category=981

With a DC-only setup you could increase your efficiency significantly.

[cadman70454]

I thought it was a 425 watt power supply but I could be wrong.  I should find a device I could plug it into that will give me the actual power usage.

[tinkeringtechie]

Luckily a 425 watt power supply does not draw that much power continuously. That's just the maximum theoretical power. Your UPS should be able to tell you how much power you're actually drawing.

[daplumbr]

Something like the Killawatt meter will give you not only instantaneous draw, but also cumulative over time. That way you'll know what your kWh usage over 12 hours really is. From there, you can do the math for battery discharge/recharge using Mitch's post. And it may help to know that volts X amps = watts. 

http://www.amazon.com/P3-International-P4460-Electricity-Monitor/dp/B000RGF29Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1424391646&sr=8-2&keywords=kill+a+watt

[michelle]

Not RV-related, but one thing to consider is that if you don't need to make color prints, you can get a black & white laser printer for less than $100. For $69, you can get a Brother with auto-duplex, Wifi, eco-ink, AirPrint (from iOS), and is EnergyStar rated. The ink lasts forever and a replacement toner cartridge can be purchased for about $15.

http://www.amazon.com/Brother-HL-L2340DW-Printing-Wireless-Networking/dp/B00LZS5EEI/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1424394601

[pinstriper]

[quote source="/post/7004/thread" timestamp="1424382518" author="@mitch"]The short answer is more batteries than you can carry.  Given the inefficiencies of an inverter to get from 12 volt to 120 volt so you can plug in your workstation it's just not doable for any length of time.  Your 425 watt workstation would draw 38.64 amp-hrs from your battery each hour that you use it. Going down the math road says you'd need 927 amp-hrs worth of battery for 12 working hours.  For comparison the standard single deep cycle battery many of us use is 85 amp-hrs but you can really only use 1/2 of it before you damage the battery. Some folks use 2 golf cart batteries wired up to give them 220 amp-hrs of capacity. I'm afraid a generator is your choice for work.  

Also, as I'm sure you've thought of, many campgrounds that don't have power for the trailer to plug into also have limited generator hours, maybe a couple hours in the morning and a couple in the evening. If you're just way out in the boonies you just have to argue with the wildlife though   [/quote][p]If he's that far out in the boonies, he has no connectivity and probably can't work. Something to consider.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Also, it is probably worth looking into a 17" laptop and drive the television as a second monitor. It's 22", not 27. But will run off the 12v system. May be a suitable compromise for the traveling workweek. Saves space and power consumption and of course everything works for a fair bit while not connected to shore power or genset. 90w power supply and probably gets to full charge in about 3 hours or less.[/p][p]
[/p]

[drdave]

I don't have any advice for you cadman, but it sounds like an interesting lifestyle and I wish you the best of luck in finding a solution.    I too wonder about your connectivity plans if you are dry camping in the boonies?

[cadman70454]

Thanks for the info and leads everyone.  I'm going to get one of those killawatt devices to measure current usage to get an idea of daily use, add in daily usage for microwave, etc and then double all of that to get the size of a battery bank.  I don't want to use more than 3 type 27 12v or 4 T-105 6v. If I need more, I'll just have to carry more gas and add solar panels.

I don't need connectivity to work on a project.  I only need it to waste time on youtube.  I've been a steel detailer since the mid 80's so I don't need much direction.  We go over a project before I start and I send them pdf's of my completed set a week or a month later, depending on the scope of the project.  There are actually some advantages to age and experience.

I have an HP 5000n laser jet but that will stay parked in the home office.  I also have 2 Canon Pro 9000 II color inkjet printers.  Both print 11 x 17.  I'm interested in seeing their energy usage.  I'll take one of the Canon's as they are a little more "disposable".

I mostly want to get out west for the telescope viewing but don't want to just hang out in the wilderness drinking coffee all day, when I could be productive and pay for my adventures.  Plus, I love building things on paper whether it's for profit or for myself.

The mobile laptop workstation is a consideration, especially considering power usage,  but I'd still need a full size keyboard and my 27" monitor.  After all, I work in a visual field and have to read every number accurately.

My dealer sent me a price yesterday for the Bearcat 16.  It includes a power tongue jack, a powered awning and an extra propane tank.  Now I just have to write a check.

Thanks for the info guys & girls.

Lowell

Lowell's Drafting Service, LLC

[cadman70454]

One more thing.  If my office is in the TT parked in my driveway, It will keep my wife's office cat along with her other 7 cats away from my stuff.  I have a dead 24" monitor (cat pee), 3 dead expensive keyboards (cat puke) and cat hair and dog hair everywhere.  I have to vacuum the air intakes of the compute regularly.  Otherwise, it gets covered with a quilt of cat hair.

I'm hoping to get a tax deduction for the TT as work related.  I don't know if the IRS will agree.  Also my wife has a plant nursery, so the TT will be used to go on plant hunting expeditions (to nurseries near and far)and haul plants to plant sales.

Lowell

Lowell's Drafting Service, LLC

[mitch]

[quote source="/post/7028/thread" timestamp="1424446488" author="@cadman70454"]One more thing.  If my office is in the TT parked in my driveway, It will keep my wife's office cat along with her other 7 cats away from my stuff.  I have a dead 24" monitor (cat pee), 3 dead expensive keyboards (cat puke) and cat hair and dog hair everywhere.  I have to vacuum the air intakes of the compute regularly.  Otherwise, it gets covered with a quilt of cat hair.

I'm hoping to get a tax deduction for the TT as work related.  I don't know if the IRS will agree.  Also my wife has a plant nursery, so the TT will be used to go on plant hunting expeditions (to nurseries near and far)and haul plants to plant sales.

Lowell

Lowell's Drafting Service, LLC[/quote]Home away from Home office I'm sure the IRS will be on your side. (yaa uh huh sure)

[cadman70454]

pinstriper, thanks for the laptop suggestion.  I could plug in a full size keyboard, 27" monitor and my printer, and it would be just like home but use much less current.  And the laptop is much lighter than a desktop and a couple of extra type 27 batteries.  I will check the 27" monitor's power usage along with the printer, with the Killawatt and go from there.

Lowell

P.S.  In 1959 or 60 I got Whitey Ford's autograph when they opened a new section of our subdivision.  I don't know what happened to that autograph.

[pinstriper]

pinstriper, thanks for the laptop suggestion.  I could plug in a full size keyboard, 27" monitor and my printer, and it would be just like home but use much less current.  And the laptop is much lighter than a desktop and a couple of extra type 27 batteries.  I will check the 27" monitor's power usage along with the printer, with the Killawatt and go from there.

Lowell

P.S.  In 1959 or 60 I got Whitey Ford's autograph when they opened a new section of our subdivision.  I don't know what happened to that autograph.

[p]Your welcome, though I have no idea what it takes to get enough compute power for you. You could also see if you can find a 12v powered monitor, and then run in that mode even without the generator or shore power for a few hours.[/p][p]
[/p][p]You must find that photograph ![/p][p]
[/p]

[cadman70454]

No, it was an autograph, not a photograph.  I wish I would have thought to bring a camera but I was only 7 or 8 and didn't think that far ahead, just like now, 55 years later.