23SS Battery Operation

[vkwood]

We are relatively new to the 23SS, and I'm looking for some advice on the use of the battery. I know the microwave won't work on the battery. What else won't?

Also, if you're running on battery and not using A/C or heat, can anyone give me some idea of how long the battery will last? I know there are lots of caveats, but I'm just trying to figure out if we're looking at days or weeks?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by vkwood

We are relatively new to the 23SS, and I'm looking for some advice on the use of the battery. I know the microwave won't work on the battery. What else won't?
the 110v outlets, the air cond., the mattress heaters, the fridge(unless you switch to propane)

Also, if you're running on battery and not using A/C or heat, can anyone give me some idea of how long the battery will last? I know there are lots of caveats, but I'm just trying to figure out if we're looking at days or weeks?
a/c will not run on battery. furnace is the biggest power drain on the battery. if you are good at conserving battery power, 2 nights would be normal.
since we dry camp nearly all the time, our 23SS has two deep cycle batteries and we have a Honda 2000 to recharge them for extended days.

are you going to be dry camping?

[vkwood]

We haven't dry camped yet, but we are thinking about it, but we don't have a recharger -- It will recharge if hooked to the truck -- right? But, then you risk draining your vehicle battery.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by vkwood

We haven't dry camped yet, but we are thinking about it, but we don't have a recharger -- It will recharge if hooked to the truck -- right? But, then you risk draining your vehicle battery.

the Honda 2000 is a generator, not a "recharger".
your Roo has a converter/charger. when it's plugged into shore power, it will recharge the battery. or you can plug the shore cord into the generator and it can recharge the battery that way.

i have to ask, didn't the dealer explain a lot of this, during the PDI, especially what runs on 12vDC battery power and what runs on 110vAC shore power?

and no, your truck will not recharge the battery unless you drive for hours.
most tow vehicles only provide a minimum trickle charge while driving.
and virtually nothing while not running. in fact, unless your truck has an isolator, the trailer could drain the truck's battery if hooked up and the engine is not running.

[vkwood]

Thanks. It's really more just being VERY new to camping and also not being much of a fix-it person. I'm certain the dealer went over it but we were overwhelmed with everything as this is our first camper.

[Herk7769]

Here is a good start.
PLEASE take the time to read them all.

[jbdbsb]

Originally Posted by vkwood

We are relatively new to the 23SS, and I'm looking for some advice on the use of the battery. I know the microwave won't work on the battery. What else won't?

Also, if you're running on battery and not using A/C or heat, can anyone give me some idea of how long the battery will last? I know there are lots of caveats, but I'm just trying to figure out if we're looking at days or weeks?

Hey there.
Microwaves & A/C will not work, they require 120-volts AC or a generator. Your lights, heater/furnace, water pumps, fridge/freezer, stoves/ovens are all 12-volt and/or propane and will work just fine.
How long you can stay "dry camping" depends upon the amount of storage capacity and the amount of power/fuel you draw from your batteries & propane tanks. Do you have one or two batteries and propane tank? What size is the battery, a group 24 or 27? What size are the propane tank?
If your interested take a look at "My Mod's Roo 233S" link. Among the many mod's I did, the most important were for dry camping (boondocking), though I wish I had gone with 6-Volt batteries. Maybe in the future.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f46/my-mods-roo-233s-24709.html
I run two Propane tanks, though I rarely need the second. I run two batteries, the original group 24 (backup) and a Group 27 (main). I rarely use the backup 24 battery, but I generally don't camp more than a week. But I could easily go two to three weeks with stringent conservation.
I run ALL LED lighting (why doesn't the OEM?), which saves tons of power!
I will use an approved indoor space heater (propane) which actually blows away the OEM furnace and is silent! Ha Ha blows away, I made a funny!

[jbdbsb]

Oh yeah, don't rely upon the battery/propane/water "Gauges" (if you have one), they are notoriously wrong!! Mine will show full tanks when they're empty!

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by jbdbsb

Oh yeah, don't rely upon the battery/propane/water "Gauges" (if you have one), they are notoriously wrong!! Mine will show full tanks when they're empty!

Use geo method. Might help tank sensors be more accurate!

[jbdbsb]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Use geo method. Might help tank sensors be more accurate!

Geo method? What's that?

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by jbdbsb

Geo method? What's that?

I don't want to hijack the OPs thread so I'll just point you here: Black and Gray Water Holding Tank Maintenance

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by jbdbsb

Oh yeah, don't rely upon the battery/propane/water "Gauges" (if you have one), they are notoriously wrong!! Mine will show full tanks when they're empty!

Working that issue now with my gray water tank.
You need to flush and clean your tanks.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tor-26746.html

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Triguy

I don't want to hijack the OPs thread so I'll just point you here: Black and Gray Water Holding Tank Maintenance

Thanks I wasn't able to paste link.
App s**cks lately.