Community Forums

Desert2River · 12-01-2020, 09:41 PM

I have 2 Trojan 6 Volt batteries. It is supposed to be pretty cold this next trip and I have little ones.

Can I run the heater all night without completely draining my batteries? Assuming they are fully charged before calling it a night.

Skip426 · 12-01-2020, 09:53 PM

Depending on the RV insulation and the furnace and the actual outside temps . Yes.

I spent a night at -20 ( not by choice ) boondocking with 2 golf cart batteries in my 28' 5th wheel , made out just fine ; didn't think the truck was going to start ; but got going down the road 750 miles the next day to get to someplace warm.

If your RV has slides and you can function inside with them retracted , less area to heat will save energy.

Desert2River · 12-01-2020, 10:09 PM

Good idea on the slides. I have 28 footer as well and it will get down to about 20 degrees. Furnace is 30,000 BTU. I’m thinking of setting the thermostat to 55 degrees or so.

Skip426 · 12-01-2020, 10:14 PM

You should be fine then , extra blanket for the kids , don't argue with the DW before bed .

BTW: My 5er was manufactured in Manitoba , where they know what winter is all about , it was a true 4 season RV, but the extra 40 degrees ambient temp should be all the cushion you need.

Stay safe out there.

NewBlackDak · 12-01-2020, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert2River

Good idea on the slides. I have 28 footer as well and it will get down to about 20 degrees. Furnace is 30,000 BTU. I’m thinking of setting the thermostat to 55 degrees or so.

We usually get it to 65-ish while showering, and then drop it to 55 right before going to bed. It won’t run for a long while, and it’s fine if you have the right bedding

Brad Wilf · 12-01-2020, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

You should be fine then , extra blanket for the kids , don't argue with the DW before bed .

BTW: My 5er was manufactured in Manitoba , where they know what winter is all about , it was a true 4 season RV, but the extra 40 degrees ambient temp should be all the cushion you need.

Stay safe out there.

Skip,

Would that be a triple E, well built units.

F239141 · 12-01-2020, 10:59 PM

We used to run heaters all day and night on chicken crap 12v single batteries way way way back, you will be more than fine.

twinboat · 12-02-2020, 01:00 AM

The heat will draw 6 to 10 amps while running.
If it runs full time, drawing 10 amps, that's 10 AH.

10 hours of steady running at 10 AH = 100 AH. You have 200 + AH in your 2 batteries if they are good.

If it cycles on and off, lets say 1/2 the time, that cuts AH use in half.

DavidEM · 12-02-2020, 06:53 AM

I measured 4 amps current draw while our propane heater was running in our small T/T. A bigger MH could easily be double as noted above. So assuming 8 amps while running and at a 50% duty cycle (should keep you warm down to the low 20s) that is 0.5*8*10 hours or 40 amp hours.

Your two golf cart batteries are good for 110 Ah while staying above 50%. So should be fine overnight.

David

Old Scout · 12-02-2020, 07:01 AM

Depends, what else are you trying to run between battery charges, eg, lights, water pump, TV, etc?????

Desert2River · 12-02-2020, 07:13 AM

Appreciate all of the responses!

Mark_K5LXP · 12-02-2020, 07:14 AM

The direct answer is two T105 type batteries can easily run an RV furnace blower for several days much less one night at any comfortable temperature. The variable we don't know about is what else is running, and what state of charge they're starting out at. When you're camping batteries aren't at 100% and opportunities to charge may not be consistent, so it comes down to charge management and making sure you do have enough to get through the night. A battery monitor goes a long way to knowing what storage is available.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

NITEHAWK · 12-02-2020, 07:26 AM

Late fall or cool nights we throw a good cold weather sleeping bag (opened up) on top of our regular bedding and we will put on a sweatshirt and a knit cap. Then the furnace is set just short of shutting off.
Right now it is 15 degrees outside and we have our patio door in our bedroom open about 4" and the door into the hallway closed. Temp in the bedroom got down to 54 degrees o'nite.
If you carry a set of jumper cables you are prepared.
I don't know what type of RV you are in, but if you have a towed vehicle you have an immediate source for a jump start if you need it.

Desert2River · 12-02-2020, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_K5LXP

The direct answer is two T105 type batteries can easily run an RV furnace blower for several days much less one night at any comfortable temperature. The variable we don't know about is what else is running, and what state of charge they're starting out at. When you're camping batteries aren't at 100% and opportunities to charge may not be consistent, so it comes down to charge management and making sure you do have enough to get through the night. A battery monitor goes a long way to knowing what storage is available.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

I have Solar which keeps them tended throughout the day and I usually run the generator for about 30 minutes before turning so they should be full or close to it.

The only thing I keep on at night is the water pump and two fans I installed to cool my refrigerator. I might turn both off this go however.