November 2022 Canlife Correspondence, Our Almost Monthly Newsletter
This newsletter is chock full of all the stuff we've been up to this month -- from solar projects and winter fun to upcoming seminars and special holiday deals with our favorite brands!
This lifestyle of ours has the added benefit of catching up with family and friends all over the country. This November, we're parked in the driveway of our former university students, Erin & Jeremiah, who just got into RVing this summer! They purchased a gently-used 16ft Forest River, Wolf Pup travel trailer (they named her "River") and used it to haul themselves and their two dogs as they moved across the country from Wilmington, NC to their new home in Bend, OR.
Along the way, they learned the limitations of their factory installed 50W Solar Panel and 12V Lead Acid Battery. These tiny systems are really only designed to keep the 12V DC lights, bathroom fan, LP gas detector, and slide working while in between plug-in campsites and most importantly on the dealer's show lot. But, they won't get you very far while boondocking out in woods.
We are having a blast flexing our Solar Coaching muscles as Erin and Jeremiah install the brand new REGO system by Renogy into their trailer, along with 600W of solar panels. This system is designed with the solar powered newbie in mind, providing a powerful and robust system that simplifies the installation by using a "plug and play" approach to solar component connections. Renogy put all of the necessary fuses in one Combiner Box, into which all the various components plug in with robust Anderson connectors. Details about this system and our installation project can be found here.
What's unique about this system? It seamlessly uses 3 different ways to charge the massive REGO 400Ah LiFePo battery:
1. Solar Panel Array (not included with REGO system)
2. 60A MPPT DC to DC Charger via the tow vehicle's starting battery/alternator.
3. 3000W Inverter Charger, which keeps the battery topped up while plugged into shore power.
With this combination of power, Erin & Jeremiah are going to be able to run anything they want off-grid including a small electric heater, microwave, fan, TV, laptops, fridge, water heater/pump, etc...as well as a small air conditioning unit.
We'll be completing this project in the next couple of weeks as we hang out with these great people in their lovely new home town. Bend offers more than just a place to park; with great food, entertainment and outdoor adventures aplenty, we've had a challenge staying focused on the project while the local snow covered mountains keep singing their siren song.
In Front of the Mic: Grand Rapids Camper, Travel, & RV Show - January 2023
This is the show that first got us into the RV education game, and we're always happy to return to our friends at the Grand Rapids Camper, Travel & RV Show, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, January 12-15, 2023. We'll be speaking on a variety of topics, including RVing to Alaska, Solar 101, and Gourmet Cooking & Baking! Check out our Show Schedule. And if you are in the market for a new or used RV, check out this article with tips, advice, and a downloadable spreadsheet designed to simplify the research and shopping process.
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not."~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Travel Videos of the Month: Leaving Alaska, We'll Be Back!
There is always give and take, in August and September the rain seemed unending, then October arrived with some of the best autumnal colors folks had seen in recent memory. We had our cameras rolling as we made our way back toward Canada and the lower 48. Check out some of the amazing views from the road and an incredible display of the Northern Lights!
On our way to Alaska we took the ALCAN Hwy, on the way back we completed the loop via the Cassiar Hwy. This road follows the eastern slope of the coastal mountains defining the border of BC and southeast Alaska, and offers one last chance to dip into the 49th U.S. state. The little town of Steward, BC offers a gateway into the even smaller hamlet of Hyder, AK...and some incredible adventures!
Blog of the Month: So Many Batteries, Which are Best for Your Lifestyle and Give You the Most Bang for your Buck?
If you've talked solar to other RVers, you've probably talked about batteries. Over the past couple of years, the number of deep cycle battery options has increased ten-fold and the amount of confusing lingo out there is sure to make your head spin! We've created some side-by-side comparison charts, as well as some discussion, which will help you make sense of all the options, better understand the lingo, and allow you to make an informed decision about which battery is best for you.
Video Highlight of the Month: "Welcome to My Ride!"
Harvest Hosts launched a new series highlighting several RVers and a Virtual Open House of the rigs they call home. Our own lil' old Hamlet is the star of their very first episode!
Harvest Hosts Annual Membership: Every RVer should have this fun, overnight camping tool in their back pocket. Get 30% off an annual membership through December 30th with this link and promo code "FRIENDS30." Makes a great gift too!
ICECO Fridge/Freezer: Our friends at ICECO are offering 20% off all ICECO 12V fridge/freezers from November 24th-26th, then 15% off from November 27th-29th.
OTZI Flat Pack Grill: If you read our newsletter monthly, you already know how much we use and love this grill. OTZI is offering 30% off all carbon steel grills through November 30th.
Renogy Solar: Planning a winter DIY solar project on your home, RV, boat, or cabin? Check out our latest blog for more details about the solar components which are on sale now through mid-December! If what you are seeking isn't on sale this holiday season, enjoy 10% off all non-sale items with our link and promo code "canlife."
Recipe of the Month: Fry-Bake Focaccia
It's that time of year when comfort food is what you are craving...and nothing tastes better with a hearty bowl of soup or pasta than some homemade focaccia. We topped this version with provolone, Kalamata olives, and herbs, but have it...the focaccia is merely a palette for whatever you please! Since we don't have an oven, we rely on our Banks Fry-Bake for many of our baking needs as it can be used on a 2 burner propane stove, single burner backcountry stove, and over a campfire or grill. Environmental Good News - Offsetting CO2 for Airline Travel!
Airlines are really beginning to come to terms with their carbon emissions issue and WayAway is a new tool to help all of us reduce the impact of our CO2 footprint while flying.
With sustainable living and travel at the forefront of everything we do, we'll be trying out this app over the next several months as we travel to RV shows in various parts of the country. Until, of course, blimp technology catches up with us sooner!
Parting Shot: "The Carcross Desert" in southern Yukon is touted as the "World's Smallest Desert;" while beautiful, it is not actually a desert. The glaciers that carved the lake and river left behind sand from the bedrock which continues to blow and gather in this tiny, unusual landscape of dunes and spruce. We found the perfect sunny day to enjoy and follow prints left by a momma bear and her cub.
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