🚐 RV Renovating in a Heat Wave, RV Solar Calculators that Work!


Solar Plans, Sweaty Renovations & My Go-To AI Tool ⚡

Hey Our Campfire Unplugged Friends!

Whew. If you’ve ever painted beadboard in 90+ degrees while dodging extension cords and trying not to fry your camper’s electronics… you’re in good company.

This week was a big one for us. We made serious progress on our RV renovation—and it gave us even more appreciation for the quirks of RV electrical systems, the value of solar power, and the role AI can play in helping regular folks plan smarter.

Let’s dive in.


🛠️ Beadboard, Paint, and Extension Cords That Can’t Handle the Heat

Last week, we picked up our materials—beadboard, paint, brushes—and started prep. This week, we got after it. Sara and I headed to the storage yard on Friday and made major headway: finishing paint coats, cutting paneling, and figuring out how to work with the heat instead of against it.

One snag? Our air compressor refused to run.

Turns out, running a 150-foot combo of extension cords—one of them too thin—was robbing us of the juice we needed. Power drop-off is real, especially in summer heat. My dad reminded me: your setup is only as strong as the weakest gauge wire. Lesson learned. (And yes, we’re updating our electrical post to reflect that.)

Even with the setbacks, this week felt like a win. Our RV renovation is rolling—and while it’s not always fun in the moment, the sweat equity is worth it. We’ll share photos soon!


☀️ How Much Solar Do You Really Need?

While working in the heat, I couldn’t help but think how nice it would be to boondock comfortably somewhere shady—like The Wall in Badlands or the mesas around Moab.

But for that kind of off-grid living, solar matters.

This week we published a new blog post and free RV Solar Panel Calculator that helps you size your solar setup based on real-life power usage. Whether you’re just charging phones or trying to run a CPAP and fridge overnight, this tool helps you make informed decisions without guesswork.

👉 Check it out here:
RV Solar Panel Calculator – How Much Do You Really Need?


🤖 Galaxy.AI – A New Favorite in Our AI Toolbox

If you’ve been following along, you know I’m deep in the world of generative AI—and Galaxy.AI has quickly become a tool I love.

For just $15/month, you get:

  • Instant access to 2,000+ AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and more)
  • One dashboard to generate videos, images, voice content, documents
  • Zero tech headaches. It’s smooth, intuitive, and fast.

This week, I filmed a short walkthrough using Galaxy’s camping meal planner tool. It’s ideal for RVers who want quick, easy meal plans without spreadsheets.

🎥 Watch our video here:


AI-Powered Travel Trailer Maintenance Galaxy.AI

video preview

💡 Want to try Galaxy.AI yourself?
Click here to sign up via our referral link


Poll Time: Quick Question

We're building more tools for readers like you. What kind of content would help your RV life most?

➡️ What do you want us to cover next?

  • 🏕️ Fun campground games & challenges
  • 🥾 Local hiking route planning
  • 🔧 Basic RV maintenance checklists
  • 🤖 AI tips for day-to-day productivity

Hit reply and let us know!


We’ll be back next week with more progress updates, new tools, and maybe even some UGC sneak peeks from the road.


Happy Camping!
Mike
Our Campfire Unplugged
mike@ourcampfireunplugged.com

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