Community Forums

ahicks · 10-03-2016, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chc59

OK. Thanks. Understand now. The furnace used up my battery. Need to check on some things now. This is a 2nd hand RV. So, need to check on battery age. Also, can I fit a 2nd battery. RV does not have an AUX/Boost switch. Have to remember to dress warm or fire up the gen in the future. Appreciate your inputs.

I second the request for gen auto start.

Joe

I agree the lack of an emergency start button would be unusual, but if you don't have one, they're a very easy install, a great DIY project. All it amounts to is a heavy relay (a starter relay works fine) placed between the main and aux batteries. You push a button, the relay energizes, and your main and aux batteries are coupled temporarily. Bonus is it works both ways. If you find yourself unable to start your engine, maybe because you left your headlights on or something, this same circuit could get you out of a jam there as well.

TdogKing · 10-03-2016, 08:57 AM

We have Boondocked and Camped in So Cal's deserts for years in the winter. We don't ever use/run the heater at night as it just takes too much power. We have learned to have enough blankets etc and we are comfortable at night, yeah when you get up to go to the bathroom it's pretty nippy but it works. I always have the thermostat set correctly and whoever gets up around 5-6 am all you do is turn on heater and jump back in bed. In a hour or so the motorhome is warm. We also use a Big Buddy heater a lot just to heat up the front area or bathroom. they work good for their size and we just slightly open a window and the vent. I have 4 batteries and solar and still do it this way, I guess since we have done it for so long it's easy for us and works.

mrfix · 10-03-2016, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmw188

Was that auto start easy to install and what kind did you use?

iPad using iRV2 - RV Forum

I installed an onan EC30, on my coach it was an easy install, all connections are in one place in the electrical bay.
Mrfix

Rich-n-Linda · 10-05-2016, 10:23 PM

I have four house batteries and two furnaces in our coach. I've run the furnaces all night many times when boondocking. Battery voltage will be down to 12.0 to 12.1 volts in the morning, depending on how cold it is. The furnace blower motors don't draw all that much. I just make sure the inverter is off.

pfritz · 10-08-2016, 10:11 PM

A fully charged battery is 12.75v. 12.20v is at 40% discharge, 12.06 is 50%

The specs I find show the furnace uses 4.4 amps per hour.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich-n-Linda

I have four house batteries and two furnaces in our coach. I've run the furnaces all night many times when boondocking. Battery voltage will be down to 12.0 to 12.1 volts in the morning, depending on how cold it is. The furnace blower motors don't draw all that much. I just make sure the inverter is off.

SDSam · 10-09-2016, 12:22 AM

if its an option to have a small suitcase inverter like the Honda eu2000, you could fill its tank and let it purr you would get 4-5 hours of running the heater and charging the batteries and once it runs out of gas you should clear the night.