Community Forums

olyshed · 09-25-2013, 08:45 PM

While boondocking, the minimum static AC we seem to be getting on our 2001 Affinity is 15amps. If the residential refer kicks on it comes up to 29-30amps. We can only get 4 hours off our batteries before generator is mandatory. Is this normal- we are quite concerned. We are newbies to an all electric coach and were hoping we could get at least a nite without generator usage. What draw are we to expect if everything is off?

pumper9x9 · 09-25-2013, 11:02 PM

You can't run your AC off your batteries. There's just not enough storage to do that. I have no idea what the pull of your residental fridge.... however this is normal operation. Do not run your batteries bellow 50% as this will damage them. It sounds like you need to attend a major rv ralley and learn about your coach and how systems work.
Good Luck.

laj · 09-26-2013, 12:57 AM

agree with pumper9x9. learn as much as you can about all the systems on your coach, and you will enjoy it so much more, and get lots more out of it. you've got a great coach.

2dogsbarkin · 09-26-2013, 01:31 AM

We boondock a lot with our 04 Now It has new house batterys last year, But never try the AC and always switch the fridge to LP we also turn off the inverter when we go to bed. And make coffee in the morning with the perk on the gas stove.
Well run the gen for a few hrs to top off the batterys in the PM when watching tv.
Rearly get below 70% on the batterys.
I will be looking at solor at Quartsite this year. Hope to only run the gen every other day, But well see.

Medico · 09-26-2013, 07:13 AM

When boondocking, we always run our gen at least 4 hours per day, and always run the gen when using the AC. The batteries and inverter will be stressed when running the AC w/o the gen.

As a side note, we only boondock occasionally when going from point A to point B. I just do not believe, IMO, that these fine coaches are in their elements when boondocking. Again, my opinion only. These fine coaches are set up to really enjoy them with full hookups while taking day trips to see the sites using the toad. They are meant to make our lives easier and more comfortable while FTing!

deandec · 09-26-2013, 09:51 AM

You do not indicate the size of your battery bank or what steps you have taken to conserve battery power.

We have 440 AH in our three year old 4 golf cart battery bank.

We start the non-generator hours at about 90% recharge from the generator (about the best a generator will do). This reads at 12.6 vdc on our link meter.

The refer is LP and the 110v ice maker is turned off. TV & Satellite and a few lights may run for a couple of hours. Water pump is on, furnace not used, water heater is on LP, inverter is off when retiring for the night.

8 hours later we are at about 12.3vdc and are able to run an electric coffee pot for brewing only, furnace for warm up, and later a hair dryer, before generator hours begin again. Typically, the meter reads about 12.1vdc at that time or 50% of capacity.

olyshed · 09-26-2013, 01:38 PM

Thanks for your input. We have 4 8D batteries plus start batteries, of course. We are all electric, no LP. We never use the Air Cond when inverting but must keep the refer on at all times. We turn off everything else, including lights and still show around 15amps being used and when the refer kicks on it goes to 30amps. We have read all we can so assume that there is alot of systems on all the time for this to happen. Just curious what other owners are experiencing. We were hoping we could boondock a little without running the generator every 4 hours.

deandec · 09-26-2013, 05:03 PM

I believe 15A for 12 hours is 180 AH consumed.

If you have 4 8D batteries, it could be that you have 880 AH of storage. 50% of that capacity is 440 AH.

It would seem that you could run the electric refer for 12 hours and have only consumed at most 180 AH for the refer and 180 AH for the other stuff. That should have the batteries remaining above 50% after 12 hours.

Since the refer probably does not draw 15 AH continuously, you may get a better result.

I am no expert, but it would seem you should be having no battery problems. Especially not having to recharge every four hours.

dons2346 · 09-26-2013, 11:09 PM

Guys, the OP isn't talking about running his Air Conditioner. He is talking about seeing 15 amps of Alternating Current

2dogsbarkin · 09-28-2013, 08:19 AM

15 amps 120v ac would take 150 amps on the 12 v side of your inverter.
Your taking 12v dc thru the inverter bumping it up to 120 v ac 10 to1 in my head.
plus there are losses going thru the inverter so it may be more like 160 amps.
I have been a electrician for 35 years.