heating or cooling going down the road ?

[trigud]

Do people have the gen. running for the AC driving down the road ???
How about driving in the cold ?? do people have the furnace on ??

[CoryP]

Yes, I do. Depending on the time of year.



Cory P.

[BudtheDiplomat]

Yes to both. If the outside temp is over 40 degrees, we use the heat pumps.

[texnet]

Yes to both.

[Tha_Rooster]

Yes, sometimes you just have to dash air can't keep up.

[Aguyfromcalg]

I was told by the Coachmen RV Rep to do just that. Run the genny and use the roof AC to cool the RV while driving.

[336muffin]

Welcome to the forum. Gen uses very little fuel. Cheaper to run gen than dash air, we use it also for heat pumps while traveling and coffee.

[YC1]

electrIcal systems - chassIs — 9 180 2008 endeavor
Alternator
The function of the alternator is an electrical system voltage maintainer, not a battery charger. When the engine is operating, the alternator maintains electrical system voltage relative to a load, such as headlights and windshield wipers. When a heavy load is placed on the alternator, such as trying to charge dead house batteries, the operating temperature of the alternator will increase. Excess operating temperature of the alternator for extended periods of operation can lead to premature failure of the alternator.
The alternator replaces amp hours the chassis battery used to start the engine. The amount of charge the alternator sends to the chassis battery is dependent on the amount of time the engine is operated. Repeatedly starting the engine for short periods may not be enough operating time to adequately replace the amp hours the chassis battery uses to start the engine.
When traveling, keep an eye on the voltmeter in the dash area. Normal readings should be between 13 to 14.5 Volts DC. Voltage indications higher or lower indicate a potential problem with the charging system. If the alternator output drops below an acceptable level, a charge indication warning lamp will illuminate.
NOTE
The alternator is not designed to charge the house batteries from a complete discharge to a full state of charge. The alternator will maintain the battery charge during travel, supplying the DC current necessary to operate running lights or other DC loads.
If the house batteries are in a low state of charge, it is recommended to charge the house batteries with the inverter or an auxiliary battery charger before driving the motorhome.
CAUTION
Long-term use of the inverter to operate the microwave while in transit will damage the alternator. Use the generator to operate the microwave while in transit.

So use the generator to save the alternator.

[D M]

Hi I just got a Motor home had a 5th wheel so alot of this is new to me. Can you use the TV when going down road from the inverter? Not the driver
Thanks Don.

[Bill Adams]

Originally Posted by D M

Hi I just got a Motor home had a 5th wheel so alot of this is new to me. Can you use the TV when going down road from the inverter? Not the driver
Thanks Don.

Absolutely. However, if the driver can see the TV screen then it is illegal to do so. I am not saying whether I do or don't, but if I did I would be doing so while understanding the possible consequences.

[Aguyfromcalg]

Don't be surprised if the tv turns off when you put your RV in drive. The plugs that the tv uses are wired to do that.

[hooverbill]

Originally Posted by trigud

Do people have the gen. running for the AC driving down the road ???
How about driving in the cold ?? do people have the furnace on ??

Yes and yes. That's why we have this thing, so we can be comfortable going down the road.

[DutchStar38]

When I unplug I start the genny and it runs until I plug in again. Genny has more hours on it than the RV engine does.

[beachboy27]

Yes to both. When I leave her in February to head on down to florida, the furnace will run for three days straight. The day before I leave to warm up the coach and then until I get into warmer, hopefully by Georgia.