Forum Discussion
- LwiddisExplorer IIAn adequate solar system...panels, controller and batteries...determined by an energy survey times 1.5 or 1.75.
- wolfe10ExplorerSimple answers:
More battery capacity (more, better or newer).
Set thermostat lower so less furnace run time
Start generator when batteries reach 12 VDC under load or 12.2 with batteries at rest. - ppineExplorer IISolar panels and a back up generator.
- midnightsadieExplorer IIfurnace pulls lot of power need really good battery to do just one night.
- LwiddisExplorer IIBut campground rules often forbid using generators before or after certain times. Some have two 2 hour periods for charging.
- midnightsadieExplorer IIdon,t use the furnace use a buddy heater OR theres another one that claims its good for rv,s thinks its called camco olimpion. spelling is not right but close.
- CA_TravelerExplorer IIIInstall LEDs, conserve power usage, solar, catalytic type heaters, insulate windows.
- wanderingaimlesExplorerGet an alternative heat source.
Lil Buddy or something like the Camco Wave heater.
Wave 3
wave 6
Buddy heaters
No fan or battery required, but you do need to provide some ventilation. - TenOCNomadGet a Mr Buddy propane heater and connect to your main propane tankes
- Grit_dogNavigatorBuddy heaters or other radiant propane heaters are great, have one myself, but even “ventilation” is not 100% sufficient to keep the moisture down in an enclosed structure.
Those things make a lot of water and a de humidifier is almost a necessity in a camper if one is used regularly.
For comparison, if I heat my 32’ enclosed trailer with the buddy heater (continuously, not just sporadically to warm up for a bit), the little heater will heat up a 250sf structure to room temp at slightly below freezing temps, but if it runs for a day or more without running a box fan and leaving vents open, the walls and ceiling are dripping. With the fan, there’s still a bit of condensation forming. Add the humidity of occupants in a camper and it’s too much moisture.
If in a dry environment and not where we live, it’s better but not a good solution for heating a camper long term.
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