Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-29-2013, 11:34 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 15
Heater Help II - running on batteries?

We got the answer to our question, thanks! Now if you don't mind we another question, can we run the furnace off of 2 12volt batteries? And what would be the duration of the batteries?
Gensca is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2013, 11:38 AM   #2
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
 
TURBS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gensca View Post
We got the answer to our question, thanks! Now if you don't mind we another question, can we run the furnace off of 2 12volt batteries? And what would be the duration of the batteries?
Yes you can run off of 12 volt/propane.
Usage and battery size will determine battery life.

Do You have the means to recharge it?
TURBS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2013, 12:03 PM   #3
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 15
Thanks! But can we expect the 2 12 volt marine batteries, hooked up in series to last one night with the thermostat set low (70*F)?
Gensca is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2013, 12:08 PM   #4
Always Learning
 
ependydad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,890
I really have no idea here. I know the furnace is one of the biggest battery consumers, but I don't have the foggiest idea how much or how long the batteries will last.

What do you know about the batteries? How many amp-hours are they? Are they definitely deep cycle batteries?

(And, that's about the extent of my knowledge! Others will need to chime in.)
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
ependydad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2013, 12:08 PM   #5
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
 
TURBS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gensca View Post
Thanks! But can we expect the 2 12 volt marine batteries, hooked up in series to last one night with the thermostat set low (70*F)?
Many variables here but the short answer is you'll likely get through the night if they are fully charged when you start.

I've went one night on one battery but it wasn't that cold.

Variables :

Battery/batteries condition. "Age"
Outside temp /windchill.
R value insulation of camper.
Thermostat setting.
Size of camper.

Etc etc


Turbs
TURBS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2013, 12:09 PM   #6
Moderator Emeritus
 
Triguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Southeast Wisconsin
Posts: 6,949
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gensca View Post
We got the answer to our question, thanks! Now if you don't mind we another question, can we run the furnace off of 2 12volt batteries? And what would be the duration of the batteries?
As Ron said, the furnace will work with your 12volt system.

As for how long those two batteries last depends on the following:
  • What kind of battery and how big (In amp-hours such as the 20hr rate)?
  • How long does the furnace need to run?
  • What are your other power needs during the period?
That info will help estimate for you.

Also, keep in mind that you do not want to discharge your batteries under 50% SOC before fully recharging. So, you basically have half the capacity you think you do.


Here's a nicely written primer on everything 12 volt.
Forest River Forums - Downloads - 12 volt side of Life
__________________
Scott
DW, 3 Kids and our Goldens

2012 Shamrock 233S
2008 Toyota Sequoia 5.7L 4WD
Triguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2013, 12:09 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: X
Posts: 2,781
Series connection is a really bad idea since that will give you 24v and cook everything. I'll assume you meant parallel.

You'll have to tell us the amp-hour rating or "reserve capacity" of the batteries in order to get an answer. Marine batteries are not all the same.
BarryD0706 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2013, 12:10 PM   #8
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
 
TURBS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
Average Furnace amp draw is 10-12 amps.


Fyi


Turbs
TURBS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2013, 12:15 PM   #9
Always Learning
 
ependydad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,890
Scott, what's SOC?

And Ron, the 12-15amp? How does that relate to amp hours?
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
ependydad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2013, 12:17 PM   #10
Moderator Emeritus
 
Triguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Southeast Wisconsin
Posts: 6,949
Quote:
Originally Posted by ependydad View Post
Scott, what's SOC?

My apologies to the OP for the arcane lingo.

SOC = "State of Charge".
__________________
Scott
DW, 3 Kids and our Goldens

2012 Shamrock 233S
2008 Toyota Sequoia 5.7L 4WD
Triguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2013, 12:49 PM   #11
Site Team
 
KyDan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,518
I've got 2 12v plain old "deep cycle/marine/crank" and have gone
2 nights with the furnace on many occasions.
Way back when I had 1 battery I could get 1 night.
If I tried for 2 nites it would usually die in the 2nd night.

As others have said, it depends on how cold outside vs how warm you
want to be.
We use an artificial down comforter and flannel sheets in cold weather.
We usually set the t-stat for 50 ish. I will tell you 50 doesn't sound
very cold until you try it. Crawl out of a nice warm bed into 50 and it's
cold
OTOH, we like to go camping at least once or more in the Fall/winter.
Good crisp campfire weather is nice after a long hot summer!

Happy Camping!
KyDan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2013, 08:35 AM   #12
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3
I was looking at a similar issue. I'm also wanting to go dry camping but only had the one deep cycle battery. I looked up the battery specs and found that it had a reserve capacity of 160. Unfortunately, that didn't tell me the amp hours so I found this:
1.Multiply the reserve capacity by 60 to convert it to seconds. For example, if a battery offers a 100-minute capacity: 100 x 60 = 6,000 seconds.

2.Multiply this length of time by 25, which is the battery's amperage. Example: 6,000 x 25 = 150,000. This is the number of Coulombs of charge in the battery.

3. Divide this answer by 3,600, which is the number of Coulombs in an amp-hour. Example: 150,000 ÷ 3,600 = 41.67. This is the number of amp-hours in the battery.


Once I had the amp hours I looked for some info on what amp hours are. This site (http://overlandresource.com/what-is-...ttery-capacity) has a good explanation of amp hours and battery draw.

Based on the lame batteries that came with the trailer, I decided to add another 12v in parallel, get a little Harbor Freight generator to charge them each day, and get a Heater Buddy as a contingency.

Best of luck!
oldnfat is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
heater, batteries

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:02 PM.