Community Forums

Bawoodworks · 08-14-2018, 08:47 PM

I have recently acquired a 1978 Holiday Rambler statesman 1000. It still has original heater and it looks like it needs electricity(ac or dc) to run the heater. Is there any way around this as I will be using it off grid.

Thanks,

Bruce

BFlinn181 · 08-14-2018, 08:54 PM

Not sure what you're talking about when you say, "heater." Most RVs have a furnace, a forced hot air LP fueled furnace. They operate on 12v DC and the fan blows air through a heat exchanger so the inside air never mixes with combustion gas.

Please list the make and model number of your heater (furnace) and we can perhaps give more information.

DENSHER · 08-14-2018, 08:58 PM

It is 12v DC, runs on the coach battery power.

Bawoodworks · 08-15-2018, 05:06 PM

Yes you are correct. It is a furnace. I used to have an old 60's model camper trailer that had a gas furnace with a pilot light and no fan so it didn't need electricity. Initially, I'll be using the TT for hunting so I'll be Boondocking it. Since hunting season is in the fall we will probably need the furnace a fair amount. I could use advice as to ways to keep a battery(or 2 or 3) charged and what are the best batteries to use. I'm would rather use solar to charge the batteries but I'm not sure about price/performance. Any comments are welcome as I'm not used to this level of sophistication in my TT.

Bruce

BFlinn181 · 08-15-2018, 05:14 PM

A couple of deep cycle batteries would easily last through the night. I don't know your location, but 1-200W of solar would keep you charged up. An alternative would be a small generator if you have no neighbors that would object to the noise for a few hours each day to top them up again. Many small generators are pretty quiet, Honda has great ones, but there are other, cheaper models almost as quiet. You might also price larger LP tanks, perhaps a local gas company could set you up with a tank that they would keep filled for you.