Newbie heater question

[Nova 404]

We bought a wolf pup 16PF and were told the heater did not use a blower fan. Testing things it obviously does have a blower fan. Any idea how much current it draws? Or if I’m in a cold environment how long can I run the heater on one group 24 deep cycle battery? Back when I was a kid all my parents friends that had RV’s hated forced heat due to batteries dying overnight. Currently don’t have a generator or any solar charger of any kind and not sure solar would even help.
Thank for the input

[5picker]

Through the years I've been able to get just ONE night on a group 24 battery using the furnace on 60º and having it charged fully when starting out. Also that is using lights and other 12v items sparingly.

Furnaces are battery and propane hogs. It is part of the territory.

Lots of folks will tell you to get bigger batteries, solar, a generator, etc. and that is good advice. Your question was... how long can you run the furnace on a group 24 battery and the answer is one night... but barely.

[Nova 404]

Well that what I was afraid of :-( thank you. The fan sounds like a power hog.

[5picker]

Ironically... there was another post just a few days ago asking similar...
Estimated Battery Usage

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Nova 404

We bought a wolf pup 16PF and were told the heater did not use a blower fan.

Let me guess, the RV salesman told you this.[emoji849]
Technically it's called a furnace and I don't know of any furnace that didnt have a blower fan.

If you plan on using the furnace a lot overnight, plan on getting a dual battery setup. Best would be two 6v golf cart batteries.
As others said, the blower fan is the biggest energy hog in the RV.
I'd like to hear whoever told you that, explain their statement.

[5picker]

Dan,

I had a SOB that had a furnace with NO blower and we just has someone post here a few weeks ago about their PUP having a furnace with no blower. They do exist.

I searched for the thread but couldn't find it quickly. If I run across it I'll edit.

I agree... it is a shame the salesperson was clueless.
We hear that more and more everyday.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Dan,

I had a SOB that had a furnace with NO blower and we just has someone post here a few weeks ago about their PUP having a furnace with no blower. They do exist.

I searched for the thread but couldn't find it quickly. If I run across it I'll edit.

I agree... it is a shame the salesperson was clueless.
We hear that more and more everyday.

Well, I owned two Popups and both had furnace blower fans. Like to see what make and model of furnace they had.
How did your SOB's furnace push the heat, if it had no blower fan?

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Well, I owned two Popups and both had furnace blower fans. Like to see what make and model of furnace they had.
How did your SOB's furnace push the heat, if it had no blower fan?

In my mine's eye, I see a squirrel and/or gerbil running on a treadmill - at least that's what my salesman told me.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Well, I owned two Popups and both had furnace blower fans. Like to see what make and model of furnace they had.
How did your SOB's furnace push the heat, if it had no blower fan?

I believe it was made by Atwood and looked like this. Maybe heater is a better word than furnace but the manufacturer called it a furnace. Worked well.

[Nova 404]

Back when I was a kid my parents had an old Terry trailer (70’s) it had heat with no fan and seemed to work well. I was a kid and did not pay attention but others with newer units always complained about dead battery during the night when it got real cold. Was hoping the salesman was correct since the trailer is so small :-(
Guess it’s time to add a second battery for now. Thanks for the link that thread had some very useful information.

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by Nova 404

Back when I was a kid my parents had an old Terry trailer (70’s) it had heat with no fan and seemed to work well. I was a kid and did not pay attention but others with newer units always complained about dead battery during the night when it got real cold. Was hoping the salesman was correct since the trailer is so small :-(
Guess it’s time to add a second battery for now. Thanks for the link that thread had some very useful information.

Probably the same as my old popups; propane catalytic heater (no fan). it did keep the 22' popup warm and cozy at 8000' in the Rockies with snow on the ground in late Sept's. Of course, there were no internal walls.

[K2Kevin]

I rarely boondock, but have blown through a full propane tank in a few nights, during some winter camping our first trip in the cold. I quickly purchased an electric heater which has been great!

The blower/furnace fan should'nt take too much electricity, I think many are rated at 1.2 - 3.5 amp? I would think if you had decent solar, you should be able to keep up with that draw.