340 replies to this topic

[chvvkumar]

Do people usually charge batteries via generator?

I use solar panels to charge my power stations.

[Diana N]

Do people usually charge batteries via generator?

Some people use generators, some use solar panels, some charge their gear back at a hotel/motel room.

[bunyon]

I think I've been moved to invest in some panels. I'd prefer that and it's just inertia that I still use my generator on the rare occasions I need power. 

 

Still trying to work NSP into my summer plans. But solar panels would be useful even if I can't make it.

 

Thanks.

[Deep13]

It's a looong ride for me from Cleveland to Nebraska, but I'm all signed up. Can't hardly wait.

[rdmarco]

Been think about attending this star party in 2024. I have a couple of questions though if someone can answer it. I have a 32 foot class A motorhome, would there be a risk getting stuck out there in the sand being parked on the observing field? I seen pictures of the RVs parked out on the fields but it always looks dry. Nebraska does get it's share of thunderstorms rolling through there in July/August.

 

Also, how bad are the prickly bears out there?

 

Clear skies.

Here's am sample of a prickly pear cactus, on the bottom of my slipper. They are prolific, but not as bad as you think. Just bring a tarp, or a patio rug. No worries.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[rdmarco]

Some people use generators, some use solar panels, some charge their gear back at a hotel/motel room.

If you are boondocking for an extended period, you really need both. Solar is always first, but if you run into several cloudy days, you will need at least a small genny, to charge supply batteries. But if you have access to shorepower, you can nix the gen. Hopefully, there won't be any cloudy days at all!

[bunyon]

Space will be at a premium. I have a new RAV4 and it has considerably less space than my Volvo wagon. 

 

And it's going to be an issue because I just registered. I'll use the panel and if it's cloudy, I'll head to town.

[chvvkumar]

Another option is to book a room in town for one or two days during the week to get some hot shower and recharge any batteries overnight in case solar doesn't pan out for a couple of days.

[bunyon]

I have that room midweek. I think solar will be fine. And I can use the dob with no power if necessary. I'll be fine. It isn't a true boondock experience where if I don't have power I die or something.

[chvvkumar]

I have that room midweek. I think solar will be fine. And I can use the dob with no power if necessary. I'll be fine. It isn't a true boondock experience where if I don't have power I die or something.

That's what I have done in the past. I also life off of my Subaru Outback nad it is nice to have a hotel room for a day or two after a few days in the sun and sleeping in the car. 

 

Speaking of sleeping, it does get cold at night. So please plan on having some warm clothes along with you. It won't be like winter but something like a pullover/comfy PJs to block the wind and take the edge off the cold. The days in the past year were in the 90s and the nights in the 50s. I made the mistake of bringing only shorts my first year and had to buy some jeans in town after the first day. 

[Deep13]

I'm staying at a motel in town. I need a battery for my CPAP, but obviously the motel has electricity. My 15" Dob uses 8xAA for the fan, 4xAA for the Argo Navis, and a 9v for the secondary heater. I can still observe without the fan and computer, so only the 9v is really necessary.

When rough camping, I use the 500w Jackery battery for the CPAP. I haven't bought solar panels yet, but it will run my CPAP if I turn off the fancy stuff for several days. And then I can charge it with the car engine. I also have a D-cell electric fan for the tent since we are not savages after all. I use a small cooler if I have any perishables.

[bunyon]

I’ll be ready for cold weather. I’ve been to many star parties just not Nebraska. I appreciate all the ideas. I read about the midweek hotel from someone on here in this thread or other.

One question that did come up: is ice available on site or nearby? Seems like the bait shop would have some.

[chvvkumar]

I’ll be ready for cold weather. I’ve been to many star parties just not Nebraska. I appreciate all the ideas. I read about the midweek hotel from someone on here in this thread or other.

One question that did come up: is ice available on site or nearby? Seems like the bait shop would have some.

Yes, the bait shop has ice as well as camping supplies and adult beverages.

[rdmarco]

Space will be at a premium. I have a new RAV4 and it has considerably less space than my Volvo wagon. 

 

And it's going to be an issue because I just registered. I'll use the panel and if it's cloudy, I'll head to town.

Or, you would be welcome to charge from my genny, or I am certain there will be many who would be willing to help.

[rdmarco]

I bring 2 kilowatts ++ of solar with me, plus an inverter generator. I would be happy to charge anyone's batteries. Just look for my camper, the Rocinante.

 

[kfiscus]

I'd gladly charge your batteries in town.  I have a motel room Sunday night, Monday night, and Tuesday night.  I always head home after the swap meet and lunch Wednesday in town.

[Starhunter249]

My only concern now is sleeping during the day at this point. If I can find shade under the trees for my Class A, I will sleep well, but if I am parked directly under the Sun and its very hot, my air conditioner in motorhome won't keep up. I can darken bedroom in motorhome for daytime sleeping and run a fan to keep the air circulating. This will probably be my best option.

[Knasal]

My only concern now is sleeping during the day at this point. If I can find shade under the trees for my Class A, I will sleep well, but if I am parked directly under the Sun and its very hot, my air conditioner in motorhome won't keep up. I can darken bedroom in motorhome for daytime sleeping and run a fan to keep the air circulating. This will probably be my best option.

Yes, because in the area around the big circus tent where people gather for meals and announcements and in the area around Dob Row, there are not many trees!

[bunyon]

Thanks to all the offers to charge batteries. Looking forward to it. I hope my plans and the clouds cooperate.

 

I'm considering a mylar cover for my tent. I often sleep in the car but in heat that's a terrible idea.

[chvvkumar]

Thanks to all the offers to charge batteries. Looking forward to it. I hope my plans and the clouds cooperate.

 

I'm considering a mylar cover for my tent. I often sleep in the car but in heat that's a terrible idea.

I am not going to lie, I have been trying to find a solution for shade but have not found any good products that can handle the winds and thunderstorms that happen there. Both products I tried (Kelty car awning and a sun shelter) were no match for the winds and broke their support poles.

 

The best solution I have found is to block off the windows of the car with shades and leave the hatch open for air circulation. If it does get too hot, I run the car for 30 minutes for AC.

 

If you are planning on tent camping, make sure you stake it down really well (preferably with something like the Orange screw which works really well on the sand hills) and a thick thorn proof footprint to prevent your tent from being torn up.

[112aug]

I am not going to lie, I have been trying to find a solution for shade but have not found any good products that can handle the winds and thunderstorms that happen there. Both products I tried (Kelty car awning and a sun shelter) were no match for the winds and broke their support poles.

 

The best solution I have found is to block off the windows of the car with shades and leave the hatch open for air circulation. If it does get too hot, I run the car for 30 minutes for AC.

 

If you are planning on tent camping, make sure you stake it down really well (preferably with something like the Orange screw which works really well on the sand hills) and a thick thorn proof footprint to prevent your tent from being torn up.

Thank you for this recommendation! We are planning to camp in a tent. Do you have any other tips or tricks for us? Would a tarp or two beneath the tent be a good choice to keep the thorns out?

[chvvkumar]

Thank you for this recommendation! We are planning to camp in a tent. Do you have any other tips or tricks for us? Would a tarp or two beneath the tent be a good choice to keep the thorns out?

I think it might but it depends on the specifics of the tarp. I used a thick 6x8 rubber mat to set my chairs and other things on and by the end, the bottom of the mat had tons of thorns and I had to trash the mat. I have seen some people bring rakes to clear out the area they want to setup in. Even a small hand rake would work for this.

[Bob W4]

I am not going to lie, I have been trying to find a solution for shade but have not found any good products that can handle the winds and thunderstorms that happen there. Both products I tried (Kelty car awning and a sun shelter) were no match for the winds and broke their support poles.

 

The best solution I have found is to block off the windows of the car with shades and leave the hatch open for air circulation. If it does get too hot, I run the car for 30 minutes for AC.

 

If you are planning on tent camping, make sure you stake it down really well (preferably with something like the Orange screw which works really well on the sand hills) and a thick thorn proof footprint to prevent your tent from being torn up.

Last year my 10X10 ft awning, and my tent were still standing after a severe thunderstorm with very high winds.  Both were anchored down with the orange screw in the ground thingys.  A tarp under the tent is more than adequate to protect from the mini prickly pears.

[Starlancer]

Anything that lays on the ground there I pretty much just toss at the end so I buy cheap tarps, and before I lay it down I just take a little time to scout out any of the cacti and get them out of the area.  There are also a few pincushion cacti around but they are pretty far a few between.  A small rake would help for sure, I know I've seen a someone rake out a large area.  It's really not that much of an issue just a nuisance.

 

There can also be a lot of mosquitos so be sure to have repellant for them.

 

I setup a hub tent and usually use standard stakes but the tent has 12 of them so it's never gone anywhere as a matter of fact they can be hard to pull out after a week!  

[Starhunter249]

I got permission from the wife last night that I can go to this star party. I was looking at the camping available at the pay sites north of the observing area for better shade opportunities and all are full. Do they have any unreserved sites at those campgrounds that I are first come first served? I think I may leave the motorhome at home and tent camp with the SUV for more freedom finding shady areas. With portable power and a fan, I should be good in the heat.