Community Forums

Baldtbird.06 · 05-12-2015, 01:14 PM

We recently installed two (2) additional deep cell 6v batteries in our 2006 Class A Damon. Plans are to Boon-dock at a local nearby State Park as Docent Volunteers. Butwe are told we will be unable to use shore power at any time...and no generator 10pm to 7am.
SO.....heating we require will be using the 12v Atwood Propane Furnace evenings and when needed. Temps at the park are at freezing "all but 30 days per year" average, so we are told by park rangers. Its high elevation and drops greatly evenings.

QUESTION: using the Atwood Furnace with the 4 - 6v Deep Cell batteries. Can anyone suggest what use and degradation of battery power that we will get.
Obviously we will need to be using 7500 watt Onan generator mornings for Coffee etc then letting Onan run for (how long ?) battery re-charge for use again the following nights heat ?
While sleeping 10pm to 7am and using the 12v Propane Atwood and Battery System, we have no plans of using any other amperage draws other than a led light for bathroom visits

RV is very tite and well insulated with thermo windows covered ceiling vents and sky lights with insulated silver sheets and double insulated shades pulled down all night.
Just need some experienced estimates from those doing this overnight type heating !

I totally understand I will hear IT ALL DEPENDS....All I am hoping for are opinions and guesstimates as to the battery/Atwood useages during the 2 weeks volunteering we are planning.

Ray,IN · 05-12-2015, 08:37 PM

The furnace data plate has the 12VDC draw while in operation. Then divide that into 80% of your total battery capacity in AH to obtain an approximate for total time you may run the furnace before recharging. The time will be greater than that number, for it depends on furnace run-time.
Were it me, I'd run the genset for a a few hours for breakfast and 2 more from 8-10; but it's important to get the batteries up to at least 90-95% of charge capacity, and don't use more than 80% if you want them to have a long life.

Mr_D · 05-12-2015, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

The furnace data plate has the 12VDC draw while in operation. Then divide that into 80% of your total battery capacity in AH to obtain an approximate for total time you may run the furnace before recharging. The time will be greater than that number, for it depends on furnace run-time.
Were it me, I'd run the genset for a a few hours for breakfast and 2 more from 8-10; but it's important to get the batteries up to at least 90-95% of charge capacity, and don't use more than 80% if you want them to have a long life.

Yep, usually two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening before quiet time will do, at least it did with the previous Dutch Star. Not sure that would be enough with the Magna although it has a bigger generator and far more battery capacity but it also has the AquaHot and home refer to run.
You may have to monitor your usage for a while to get good numbers for your usage.