Shore Power or Generator Needed for LP Furnace?

[69RoadRunner]

I assumed that you would need to have shore power or the generator running to operate the LP furnace.

On another forum, people say they use their furnace going down the road without running the generator. The alternator charges the batteries, they said.

If you're dry camping, can you run the furnace for a while without running the generator? I have 4 6v batteries. They also said the furnace is 12v.

[Richard S.]

Yes you can, the furnace motor is one of the largest users of 12 volt dc power.
You should be ok for a few hours with no problem.

[DandS]

An RV furnace is designed to run on 12V power only. If your batteries are of sufficient strength, no problem. If they are at low voltage, don't believe the furnace will ignite. I have run my furnace while not hooked to power but haven't tested how long it would take to run the batteries down.

[69RoadRunner]

Thanks! I probably won't get to test it out since I'll be winterizing soon. In fact, I've never used my LP furnace.

All 6 of my batteries went dead last winter, and now I need to replace the 2 chassis and 4 house batteries. Right now, the house batteries don't last very long, so I can't test that.

[DandS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69RoadRunner In fact, I've never used my LP furnace.

Roadrunner - I sure envy you if you never need to run your furnace. Here in Michigan, even in summer, we get chilly nites that the furnace can take the edge off.

I would suggest you run it if only to burn the new smell out that you get the first time you fire them up. I would want to know the thing worked when and if I needed it sometime.

[69RoadRunner]

I'll try it out during one of my maintenance trips. I used my heat pumps this past weekend with the generator running.

During the summer, the a/c is needed even at night.

[Latitude]

It is the Blower/Fan on the LP Furnace that is 12Volt, and it will wear the Batteries down over extended use!!

So if you are boondocking you will need to run the Gen periodically like once a day. but running down the road the Engine alternator should keep up.

Rick

[69RoadRunner]

That sounds good. I'm looking at adding some solar panels to reduce the generator need and keep the batteries charged while in storage.

["007"]

Before you close down for winter put a battery charger across your house batteries and even your chassis batteries.
You may not need new batteries they may not have been ever brought up to a full charge since new.
Once they are charged if you cannot have shore line from house operate battery cut off switch for winter storage.
Your house batteries will operate furnace overnight without a problem alone with lighting and refrigerator operation.

[WVCoalminer]

We didn't get a very good walk-through on our Grandstar when we got it. While at Camp Newmar this week our heat pumps run but the LP furnace did not. Is the switchover automatic or can you do it yourself and can you run both? Sorry I don't know much about the heat system.

[Luv2go]

On our coach the heat pumps work until the outside temperature gets below freezing, then they cut off and the furnace takes over automatically. We have the Penguin heat pumps with the 5 button thermostat.

Stewart

[69RoadRunner]

I still haven't run my LP furnace, but on my Ventana, you either select heat pump or furnace, not both. At least that's what shows on the display.

I've fully charged all batteries. The house batteries drop to 12.4 volts with very little usage after an hour. This is with the inverter off and mostly running a few flourescent lights, water pump, ice maker, etc.

All 6 batteries went completely dead last winter. Now the engine batteries need the battery boost if the coach sits for more than 2 weeks.

I have 2 cutoffs to put on the house and chassis batteries. I'm also looking into a 100 (maybe 2) watt solar panels to keep things properly maintained.

[WVCoalminer]

Luv2go, we have the 5 button thermostat and it has no heater selection so it must be automatic.

69 RoadRunner, do I need to worry about my batteries leaving my motorhome at Newmar for the winter, they are going to winterise it for me.

[69RoadRunner]

Will you have it hooked up to shore power? Can you stop by at least once a month to exercise the generator?

If not, then you're taking a risk with the batteries. You would need to completely disconnect the batteries.