Community Forums

Jethrpdean · 03-04-2018, 07:32 PM

Hey guys new to the sight. I have a 20 foot enclosed trailer im turning into a toy hauler camper. Im wantkng to put lights and heat in it. My idea for this is to have a generator to a 3 cycle inverter to 2 deep cycle batteries both 12 volt. From those to a 2000 watt power inverter to hook a small space heater to and a led light strip. Was wondering if that would work or if i should go a different route. Thanks guys.

jacwjames · 03-04-2018, 07:40 PM

Seems inefficient. Running a space heater off an inverter draws a lot of battery amps.

Consider possibly a propane furnace or heater of some sort or just using a small generator to run the heater as needed, keep the batteries for lighting and inverter etc.

msturtz · 03-04-2018, 07:52 PM

That is going to put a lot of strain on the battery bank and inverter. If you use a generator you would consume a lot of fuel. It’s an expensive way to heat a rig. I strongly recommend an externally vented propane or diesel heater. Note I said “externally vented” that is critical. A fuel burning appliance can consume a significant amount of the oxygen in the air inside a confined space worse yet it can start putting out carbon monoxide if it doesn’t have enough oxygen or is malfunctioning. It also puts out a very large amount of water vapor into the air which can actually cause it to “rain” inside the coach.
I tried to heat a well insulated shop with a “vent free” natural gas heater in a cool and humid environment and it was so humid inside it was dripping on the floor! I had to rip it out and install a vented heater.

Jethrpdean · 03-04-2018, 08:18 PM

Guys got any links on a vented propane heater?

jacwjames · 03-04-2018, 08:40 PM

This is a common RV type furnace

Suburban - High Efficiency Furnaces & Heaters for RVs | Airxcel

You might check at an RV type salvage yard.

Jethrpdean · 03-05-2018, 05:06 PM

Found one. Probably get it middle of next month. Appreciate it guys. As for my setup would that work for lights?

Jethrpdean · 03-06-2018, 01:52 PM

Bump

RichieRichB · 03-12-2018, 10:30 PM

6V golf cart batteries are the better choice. They take more space, but you get better batteries.

Wonka_ · 03-13-2018, 04:44 PM

Two 6 volts will almost double the storage capacity of two 12 volts. (2 -12v= 130ah, 2 6v = 235ah).
Lighting I would go with LED's, there are numerous options here and they use very little ah's.

cruzbill · 03-13-2018, 04:58 PM

Not correct-in parallel, current adds so 2x12v at 85ah (group 27) = 12v at 170ah

In series, voltage adds so 2x6vGC2 at 225ah=12v at 225ah

Wonka_ · 03-13-2018, 07:41 PM

if you spend enough to get that ah in a 12 volt. Working in a battery shop with access to the batteries, the test gear, and all the warranty issues, I will go with the two 6 volts all day every day.

nothermark · 03-13-2018, 07:58 PM

But you will not double the capacity of two 12 V batteries by changing to two 6 V batteries if you get the same case size. More like 20% or so. Now if you can find two 6 V that are bigger than the 12 V ones but they still fit then you have a point.

Wonka_ · 03-13-2018, 09:46 PM

Golf carts are almost the same size as the 24dc , 3/8" shorter in length, 3/8" wider, 1.5" taller, 2 -12v (24dc)130ah,(typical flooded) or 170 (agm) versus two 6v 235ah. Could actually throw out the discovery AGM, it's 260ah, so actually double two 24dc's. 27dc's are 2" longer, 3/8" narrower, and 1.5" shorter.

nothermark · 03-14-2018, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wonka_

Golf carts are almost the same size as the 24dc , 3/8" shorter in length, 3/8" wider, 1.5" taller, 2 -12v (24dc)130ah,(typical flooded) or 170 (agm) versus two 6v 235ah. Could actually throw out the discovery AGM, it's 260ah, so actually double two 24dc's. 27dc's are 2" longer, 3/8" narrower, and 1.5" shorter.

The point is that a lead cell is a lead cell. The advantage of using two sixes over two 12's is that you cut the number of cells in half thus getting a bit more capacity where the cell separators are replaced by space for more lead. That space does not double for the same size case. At least it does not double unless somebody is cheating on the lead in the first place.

The other problem you run into with GC's is height. Fine in most DP's but an issue in most gas units. If the RV has an under step mount on the frame rail the height is limited by the step that covers them and the tolerance of the installer for putting a potential short circuit over the top of the battery top posts. That is most of the gas motor homes out there.