Just another quintessential newbie Burner post...!

[cosmicdancer]

* waving *

I figured I had to make my first post an intro one, you know, the quintessential newbie Burner post. There are a slew of them right now ;).

Newbie = yes, it will be my first time. I live in NJ, but work in NYC, so that makes me from the NJ/NYC area.

I will be heading to Burning Man with my best friend of 12 years. We are 34 and it's been one of those things that we knew we just had to do together. We've experienced all of the craziness of New York club-culture from the early 90's on, so I am looking forward to an open and creative art and music experience.

My tickets, with the lovely celebratory Atomic Fireball candy, came last week, so it's official! And, plane tickets are being purchased this month. We plan well. Sort of. I've come to embrace Burning Man with this theory - planning the unplanned.

We will be using an RV (a small 21 foot Toyota Sunrader loved and being lent to me my loving parents). So far, we are going as free agents, but I'd love to see what camp options might be had. Aside from the community aspect, it would be nice to be able to hook up the RV; it's small and doesn't have a huge battery to store energy.

So, hello everyone.

The countdown has begun.

[LeChatNoir]

Hi cosmicdancer.

Welcome!

Sounds like you’ll be planning well. I suspect you’ve already read the survival guide, etc. If you mean you’d want to hook your RV to grid power, there is no grid like you'd think of at an RV camping ground. There is sometimes power available to some of the larger camps on a very limited basis. The rest of us have to provide whatever we need for our own camps. You could bring a solar or generator setup if you need more than a batteries can provide.

We use solar and deep cycle batteries, but this year we’re charging our camp batteries on our Mutant Vehicle as well.

[cosmicdancer]

^ Hi, and thanks for the welcome :).

Yes, I've read the Survival Guide and am aware there is no hook up like in a camp site. I take it the only way to access power is being in a large camp (which I won't be at)...free agent right now, unless we find/join a camp.

I should take the power conversation to the Preparation area (which I will do). The RV I am using has so little storage and we can use battery operated lights and run the fridge with propane, but I was curious about other options, if you were part of a camp. In the end, we may just have to rent a generator. Or, be a part of a camp and put in for a generator and fuel. I am curious about learning what others do. I'm not worrying about AC or anything, just the fridge. We'll have a large tent set-up too, and will be outside mingling and exploring, EXPERIENCING everything.

I wil be flying from NJ to San Francisco to stay with my folks a few days early, and driving from there :).

[Victorian]

I work for roadside and technical assistance for the majority of the major RV manufacturers. I can tell you one thing; be weary of your battery power in your coach at all times. Without generator and inverter, you will lose battery power in as little as 3 days, even when being quite conservative of power (i.e. just using lights even)

Rv'ing is a little more serious then most people think.

Especially with renting one. Be sure the dealer shows you EVERYTHING, and worse case scenarios, and make sure you can do it without them being there. Ask questions, ask questions, ask questions.

It's worth it. Trust me!

Oh, welcome to the playa !!

[cosmicdancer]

^ Hi, and thanks for the welcome as well!

I am not renting (using my parents RV) and they gave me the run down already. Plus, I am heading out there 3 days before Burning Man just to go over everything again. I have learned many of the basics already and have become well versed so far. I'm aware of the limits that the RV I am using has...

There is a generator and an inverter, but it doesn't store a lot of energy. It's an older RV (1998). But, when discussing the electricity issue, I will either need to rent a generator for more power or tap into power/put in money for a generator with a camp, if we go that route.

My plan was to use battery operated lights, fans, etc. I can operate the fridge for the duration of the trip on propane.

I just want to be prepared. Smart Burning, you know ;)?

[teardropper]

I have a very old motorhome with no A/C, so no gernerator. I used my RV deep cycle battery of 72 amp/hours. I was very frugal and it lasted all week with no problem. I carried a back up AGM, battery just in case. I, also, have a propane refrig and it was just fine. I don't think you need to worry about LP. I would get the largest amp/hour deep cycle battery I could find and go on conserve mode. Though this year I will have a 64 watt solar panel to charge a couple of golf cart batteries. but that is to power other things, I plan to run the RV on the single battery. To make the on board battery last longer I bought and used portable D cell fans inside. They worked when we were in during the day, with no air, which was not that common. They were O 2 Cool fans and they blew the air.

[cosmicdancer]

Hi, and thanks for the great advice.

I have a very old motorhome with no A/C, so no gernerator. I used my RV deep cycle battery of 72 amp/hours. I was very frugal and it lasted all week with no problem. I carried a back up AGM, battery just in case. I, also, have a propane refrig and it was just fine. I don't think you need to worry about LP. I would get the largest amp/hour deep cycle battery I could find and go on conserve mode.

Can you recommend a good deep cycle battery? I may have to replace what they have. And, considering that I am using their RV, I don't mind doing so; they don't go dry camping/boondocking and always hook up in RV parks.

To make the on board battery last longer I bought and used portable D cell fans inside. They worked when we were in during the day, with no air, which was not that common. They were O 2 Cool fans and they blew the air.

That's my plan .

[teardropper]

Batteries are a whole thread themselves. You can get deep cycle flooded lead acid, gel, AGM. I recommend either a lead acid, because you can get them cheaper, or the AGM. It's a sealed battery that requires no maintainance. The 72 a/h lead acid is a WalMart battery at about $80. The AGM is an Optima and was a little over $200. And the Optima is a little smaller, at 60 a/h.

[cosmicdancer]

^ Thanks for all of this (again). And, I'll do a search on that (or start a thread).

I plan on being thrifty with my power. I plan on being in my RV only to sleep and shower (when we don't use the sun shower). Burning Man isn't about hanging out in my RV. But, the small amenities it provides under rough conditions will be warmly received.

How did I turn my welcome thread into a conversation about power? Ha!

[teardropper]

As long as I'm here... I used my sun shower, about 3 gallons, except for one indulgent shower each in the tub/shower. Saved water and greywater. And, really, you can get a pretty good shower from a solar heater. The only thing about the sun shower is you have to shower when the water is hot, usually in the middle of the day, or towards the end. I had a problem with water almost too hot if leave it out too long. Again, welcome to ePlaya. Sounds like you're doing your homework and prep. Remember it's just a week long camping trip. On the moon...

[dragonpilot]

Don't go for long luxurious daily hot showers...you'll fill your gray water tank in a hurry and deplete your propane. Take along a 3-4 gallon garden sprayer for showers in the RV shower stall...it does a fine job. Who needs a hot water shower in 100 degree desert heat, fer crissakes? You'll be dusty and gritty 5 minutes later anyway.

I'd also recommend taking along 10-15 gallons of extra fuel in plastic jerry cans. It might not be possible to top off your tanks in Gerlach coming in...and who knows how long you'll be idling in the line to get in and out of the venue...2-3 hours one way is common. That extra gas gives me peace of mind...and a couple of times I had to use it!

Also recommend 2-3 ice coolers for icing down beverages, rather than counting on the frig to do all the work. God forbid that the frig should die on ya...the coolers are a great backup.

Remember, if you're there for the duration, you need to be fully self-contained for 8 days...prepare for anything and everything.

[cosmicdancer]

^ Great advice regarding bringing a cooler (or 2) and gas. I've heard about how crazy filling up in Gerlach can be the RV has a 25 gallon tank and a 10 gallon spare; quite small. The idling sounds like it can be an issue...

I will be driving from San Fran so I figure that the trip will take 9 hours with all if the extra delays/traffic/getting in. Ballpark figure.

Great tip for using the shower inside. I'm not concerned with a warm shower in the RV.

It's time to mingle in other threads. Thank you all.

The Playa awaits !

[Elliot]

Welcome, Cosmicdancer!

I'm no expert, but I know that some early Toyota RV-conversions are notorious for losing their rear wheels "in flight". This may not apply to as new a unit as 1998, but you might want to investigate a little.

It seems to be generally agreed that propane RV refrigerators work very well and consume surprisingly little propane. But they are slightly notorious for catching fire, and I know of one recall campaign. So a similar suggestion; have the refrigerator investigated by an RV dealer.

If you can install some shade over the RV, with space for air circulation between, the interior will be much cooler.

If you buy a generator, please make it a Honda EU-series, or perhaps equivalent Yamaha. Cheaper ones are far too noisy.

See you on the Playa!

[cosmicdancer]

Hi Elliot! I'm Nicole by the way.

I am going to get the RV serviced beforehand and the tires are also being replaced; they were due for it anyway. And, I even learned how to change the spare if need be (it's under the RV and has go be done using a primitive crank, quite a riot)!

I'm skipping on the generator and am opting for the deep cell battery and inverter. I'd rather keep it simple. It would be costly to rent a generator and I don't see myself needing to buy one. I don't even plan on having my engine on much to use the onboard power; it's too noisy and I want to respect my neighbors.

I've read about the dangers of propane. Also, my fatter was concerned with dust getting into that area, so he is coming up with some sort of outer filter.

The RV has a huge shading canopy, but I was concerned with wind. But, I also have a large standing room tent (if need be).

I'm trying my best to be a well prepared newbie, ha!

[Elliot]

A typical light-weight RV side-awning is likely to be shredded by the wind -- unless you use it only when you are present and there is no wind.

I was thinking more like tying a sturdy tarp across a roof-top luggage rack -- if there is one. Most likely, nothing like this is practical for you, so... "never mind".

Don't know if a home-made filter for the refrigerator is a good idea or not. You wouldn't want to strangle the air circulation with a plugged-up filter. There is no engine in there to be harmed by "inhaling" dust -- just a flame inside a heat-exchanger. The technology is completely different from a household refrigerator -- there is no compressor.

[cosmicdancer]

^ Ah, yes - I've heard about the woes of Play wind (and dust storms). I am going to attempt to out up a tarp contraption for shade (and not the RV shade unit).

Good advice regarding the fridge as well.

Al of this planning, fun times.

[LeChatNoir]

The planning is lots of fun. That and the drive out there are half the event for me.

[cosmicdancer]

^ I am so looking forward to the drive: the scenery, the terrain, the people driving in, counting RVS, the excitement, and doing it with my best friend. And, when we get there: being out and about, meeting people, doing things, being creative, dancing under the stars and when the sun rises.

I bet seeing the sun rise over the Playa is such a beautiful and spiritual thing - mother nature at work, greeting us.

The planning has been such a fun part.

I'm figuring out if we are going to be with a Theme Camp or not. And, then I'll buy my plans tickets. I have 3 weeks vacation at work, and 2 of them are going toward this (pre-event; post event; and enjoying some free time in the Bay Area) .

[LeChatNoir]

I highly recommend that everyone, at least once during the week, watch the sunset, then stay up all night and watch the sun rise again. It’s a very special experience.

[cosmicdancer]

^ Yes, sunrise [][and[/i] sunset!