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03-10-2010, 12:36 PM
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#1
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 277
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Running LP Heat On Batteries...
Recently we attempted to get into a popular State Park and it was full. We were told that we could park in a waiting area and could have a site in the morning. There were no hookups in the waiting area and no generators allowed between 8pm and 8am. It was 40 degrees that night. We were afraid to run the LP heat with its fan for fear that the fan would drain the two AGM coach batteries before morning. Was this a valid fear or did we freeze for nothing? Joe
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2008 Itasca Latitude 39W. Cummins ISB 6.7 Turbo 340HP. Allison 6 Speed. Freightliner XCS. Michelin XRV 255/80R 22.5 LRG. SuperSteer MCU. Safe-T-Plus.
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03-10-2010, 12:42 PM
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#2
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 24
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I think you froze for nothing -- although you did have piece of mind when in doubt, and that's worth something.
With two coach batteries I can run the furnace all night long and be okay, although two nights without a significant recharge might be pushing it.
Steve
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03-10-2010, 02:49 PM
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#3
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Melbourne & Marathon, Florida
Posts: 39
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If the batteries are charged and you do not watch 6 hours of TV and run the microwave to make your warm milk before you go to bed, should be OK.
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2005 Safari Cheetah 38PDQ - 2009 Ford Flex
Me (Gatogonow), The Boss (DW), Honey Bunny, Maggie May and Mollie Kay (The Gatos)!
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03-10-2010, 08:33 PM
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#4
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Indian River, De
Posts: 369
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Let's say worse case scenerio happened, and the coach batteries went dead by morning... you could still start your generator and engine from the chassis battery. That would not have been affected by the propane furnace running on the coach batteries.
That said, 2 charged coach batteies will last through the night, running the furnace and a lamp or 2. If they don't, they may be near replacement time. When you do replace, the battery tray should hold 3 house batteries, which will extend your up-time.
__________________
CaptBill
USAF 1965-1971; USCG Master
2002 Horizon 36LD - 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4
Indian River, De
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03-10-2010, 10:15 PM
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#5
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: North East Texas
Posts: 43
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if in doubt or ME freeze i would have run the engine to charge up the batteries
or the genny, i doubt park ranger would have made a stink in such cold situations...
we ran for 10 hrs on just batteries in 30 F weather last snow storm, they got low but never low enough to be a worry.
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USN Retired, Life time member of the DAV.
Enjoying the 2008 Damon Tuscany 4056, no your eyes are fine, there are 6 slides
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03-15-2010, 11:29 AM
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#6
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 133
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When we dry camp and it's cold during the evening we use the furnace set at 70 and an afghan. We read (the only lights on) rather than watch TV. Also, we shut the door to the bedroom and bathroom and close their floor heat vents so only the living space needs to be heated. Overnite the furnace is off and we use an electric mattress pad with an extension cord that is plugged into a small, portable inverter (it makes no noise) which is plugged into a 12V outlet in the bedroom. We also have a down comforter, and if it's really cold, we add a blanket on top of that. By morning, the batteries have not dropped all that much and we were comfortable.
2005 Adventurer 33V
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2005 Adventurer 33V
2014 Honda CRV
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03-15-2010, 12:18 PM
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#7
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Florida Keys
Posts: 112
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One time at Shenandoah I did what powerboatr suggested and ran the engine to charge the batteries in the middle of the night.
Our old class C single coach battery died, it was early April, and the wife and kids were cold. So they may have a no generator rule but the did NOT have a no engine rule!
Make sure you crack a window so you don't have a PERMANENT sleep!
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Tom and Katharine
'07 Winnebago Tour 40TD, 400hp Cummins
'17 Winnebago View 24V, '02 R-Vision B+
RVing for 19 years & 150,000+ miles
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03-16-2010, 12:36 AM
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#8
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 724
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Quote:
Originally Posted by azloafer
Recently we attempted to get into a popular State Park and it was full. We were told that we could park in a waiting area and could have a site in the morning. There were no hookups in the waiting area and no generators allowed between 8pm and 8am. It was 40 degrees that night. We were afraid to run the LP heat with its fan for fear that the fan would drain the two AGM coach batteries before morning. Was this a valid fear or did we freeze for nothing? Joe
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my suburban sf42 furnace uses 11.5 amps per hour when the blower is operating. i have 300 amp hours stored in my battery bank although i don't like to use over 150 amp hours. using more than 1/2 capacity is deep cycling and shortens the lifespan of the batteries. i can definitely use the furnace, run the tv with the inverter and lights for one night. 2 nights would be stretching it, but still possible, using less tv, and monitoring the battery voltage more closely.
check these resources:
Deep Cycle Battery FAQ
The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - DC Battery Specialists
http://www.rvcruzer.com/electrical/tutorial.php
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01 WINNEBAGO 35U W20.8.1L SW Wa, Hi. Good Sam, SKP. AMSOIL fluids. BANKS ecm program. SCAN GAUGE II w/ Ally temp. 2 LIFELINE GPL-6CT AGM Batts on their sides. TST tptts. K&N panel air filter. AERO mufflers. TAYLOR plug wires. ULTRA POWER track bar. KONI fsd shocks, toad '14 smart car
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03-16-2010, 10:51 AM
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#9
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Indian River, De
Posts: 369
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheryl Bisson
When we dry camp and it's cold during the evening we use the furnace set at 70 and an afghan. We read (the only lights on) rather than watch TV. Also, we shut the door to the bedroom and bathroom and close their floor heat vents so only the living space needs to be heated. Overnite the furnace is off and we use an electric mattress pad with an extension cord that is plugged into a small, portable inverter (it makes no noise) which is plugged into a 12V outlet in the bedroom. We also have a down comforter, and if it's really cold, we add a blanket on top of that. By morning, the batteries have not dropped all that much and we were comfortable.
2005 Adventurer 33V
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I wouldn't close off heat registers. That can restrict airflow (reduce CFM) over the furnace heat-exchanger, and cause back pressure. That will reduce efficiency; waste fuel. I would leave them all open, and also make sure that the filter is clean and return air grills are not blocked. That will be the most efficient furnace operation.
Insulating the roof-vents (a throw pillow or R-max cut to fit)can also help prevent heat loss.
__________________
CaptBill
USAF 1965-1971; USCG Master
2002 Horizon 36LD - 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4
Indian River, De
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03-16-2010, 11:50 AM
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#10
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shadow Hills,CA 91040
Posts: 268
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Just came back from a dry camping trip and thought I would try using my gas furnace after reading these posts. I have three house, deep cycle marine batteries from costco. We watched a two hour movie on the inverter then shut off the inverter, all the while we had the furnace running all night, cycling on and off. It was set at 68 degrees and was around 50 outside. I checked in the AM and the batteries, at rest, still showed 12.4 volts.
PS... No need to tell me how brave I am for "camping" in 50degree weather!!!
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NOTE; I am not responsible for typos, poor grammer or misspelled word !
04 Itasca, Meridian 34H, 330 Cat/2003 CR V Toad
1933 Ford 3 Window,as seen in Bye Bye Birdie
Pvt. E1 Retired, Shadow Hills,Ca.
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03-18-2010, 01:51 AM
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#11
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 277
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Quote:
Originally Posted by powerboatr
if in doubt or ME freeze i would have run the engine to charge up the batteries
or the genny, i doubt park ranger would have made a stink in such cold situations...
we ran for 10 hrs on just batteries in 30 F weather last snow storm, they got low but never low enough to be a worry.
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Actually, the park ranger caught us with the generator on at 7 am when we should have waited until 8am. He had us turn it off! Joe
__________________
2008 Itasca Latitude 39W. Cummins ISB 6.7 Turbo 340HP. Allison 6 Speed. Freightliner XCS. Michelin XRV 255/80R 22.5 LRG. SuperSteer MCU. Safe-T-Plus.
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09-27-2010, 06:35 PM
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#12
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 26
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My generator starts from the coach batteries so when they go dead I cant start the generator and there isn't enough battery power to activate the boost switch. It happened today. I assume the only way I would be able to get the generator started would be to run the engine for a very long time in order to charge coach batteries. I didnt run the engine as I was able to plug into shore power.
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2008 HR 340 Cummins, Vacationer XL
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09-27-2010, 06:55 PM
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#13
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: The Dungeon in Broomfield, CO
Posts: 40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by georgetown350
My generator starts from the coach batteries so when they go dead I cant start the generator and there isn't enough battery power to activate the boost switch. It happened today. I assume the only way I would be able to get the generator started would be to run the engine for a very long time in order to charge coach batteries. I didnt run the engine as I was able to plug into shore power.
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Mine used to start from the coach batteries too. I simply moved the cable to the genset, from the coach battery to the chassis battery. Problem solved. I have a Xantrex "Echo Charge" tied between the coach and chassis battery, that is also tied to the solar panels, So I can always start the Genset. BTW The Genset does not charge the battery it starts from.
Kerry
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Damn, I'm Good! ;D
"I've got dozzens of friends, and the fun never ends, that is, as long as I'm buying." "STYX"
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09-27-2010, 07:04 PM
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#14
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 26
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Quote:
BTW The Genset does not charge the battery it starts from.
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That is an interesting idea about switching the cable so that the chassis battery starts the generator. When dry camping one of the main purposes of running the generator is to keep the coach batteries charged so your statement confuses me?
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2008 HR 340 Cummins, Vacationer XL
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09-27-2010, 08:42 PM
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#15
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Buxton, North Dakota
Posts: 1,037
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HotMech
Mine used to start from the coach batteries too. I simply moved the cable to the genset, from the coach battery to the chassis battery. Problem solved. I have a Xantrex "Echo Charge" tied between the coach and chassis battery, that is also tied to the solar panels, So I can always start the Genset. BTW
Quote:
The Genset does not charge the battery it starts from.
Kerry
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It charges the coach batteries when that is what it is started from. The generator feeds the converter/charger for the coach batteries. After you moved it to the chassis battery, your statement is correct. Also if your coach batteries are rund down and you start the engine, you should be able to start the generator once the alternator starts charging and the battery isolation solenoid closes.
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2003 Winnebago Adventurer 38G F53/ V10 605 watts of Solar
1999 Winnebago Brave 35C Handicap Equipped
F53/V10
1999 Jeep Cherokee & 1991 Jeep Wrangler Renegade
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09-27-2010, 09:13 PM
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#16
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 42
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I ran my house batteries down once to where I could not start the generator or run the furnace. There was a blizzard outside with temps down in the low twenties. I got worried. I left the refrigerator on battery and not gas. The frig ran the batteries down over night. I was able to started the main engine and then I was able to start the generator. A little scary at 4 in the morning and stranded in a hobby lobby parking lot on Christmas morning. With frig on gas both furnaces will run all night with out problems. That is with 6 month old house batteries.
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09-27-2010, 10:22 PM
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#17
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 962
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If you carry a set of battery jumper cables ... you can connect your two battery banks together for emergency starting even if the solenoid will not engage ...
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09-29-2010, 06:06 PM
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#18
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 26
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Quote:
If you carry a set of battery jumper cables ... you can connect your two battery banks together for emergency starting even if the solenoid will not engage ...
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Good idea and one I might have to use as my battery boost switch doesn't seem to help. Do I have to use all 4 ends of the booster cables? or just one from positive to positive?
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2008 HR 340 Cummins, Vacationer XL
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09-30-2010, 03:05 PM
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#19
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 437
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We have been avid snowmobilers =, untill 2 years ago, We have 2 chassis batteries and 3 coach batteries. 38 " winn, Ult adv., During the day we use the front furnace, at night we use the back one, The average fan draw is near 5/6 amps, devided between 3 batteries we have never had a problem. even at Yellow stone At 37 below zero, We watch tv for an hour or so in the evening to get the batteries full. then in the morning we start it to use the micro, and chg, the batteries. Been snowmobiling since 1974 Never had a problem. Make sure that the batteries are in good condition and not sulfated;
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09-30-2010, 07:03 PM
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#20
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 962
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georgetown ...
On my coach ... red to red .... the other side is connected to a common ground already
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