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lacofdfireman's avatar
lacofdfireman
Explorer
Jan 25, 2014

Possible to run heat at night without killing your batteries

We have had this issue with all of our rigs we have owned. We camp with our Motorhome in the desert mostly and never have hookups. This time of year especially when it's cold we will run the furnace to keep us warm at night with the coach off just using battery power. It never fails that about 3-4am the furnace has ran enough that the batteries in the coach are now dead and we wake up freezing. We have isolated one battery via a switch so that we can at least start up the Motorhome and get the batteries charging back up but there is no way we can make it though the night without freezing. So either we have to run the generator or start up the Motorhome at one point during the night and let it idol or run the generator for a few hours so we don't wake up cold. We have 2 Deep cycle 6volt batteries but obviously this isn't enough. Is there a solution for us?
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  • 1BryNelson's avatar
    1BryNelson
    Explorer
    Jan 25, 2014
    There's a guy in Phx that specializes in add's and solar stuff. D&R Family RV Service 623.842.1265. I'd trust them with my mother.
  • 1BryNelson's avatar
    1BryNelson
    Explorer
    Jan 25, 2014
    You have a basic system. Unfortunately your setup can't handle what your asking for. You will need to add batteries. I'm on 6 6v batteries and the solar panels to recharge the batteries.
  • lacofdfireman's avatar
    lacofdfireman
    Explorer
    Jan 25, 2014
    Ok so how many batteries are we talking? Right now we have 2 deep cycle 6Volts. Do I need 2 more? Total of 4? Or what? Also where do you put the extra batteries in a Gas Motorhome? We only have room for the 2 in the battery tray. Also we set the Thermostat at about 65 or so. And I'm sleeping in a motorhome and not a tent so no need to be freezing. If I wanted to freeze I would pitch a tent next to the motorhome..
  • Galvanizd's avatar
    Galvanizd
    Explorer
    Jan 25, 2014
    More batteries. We have 4 house batteries, been watching movies the last couple of hours on inverter power and will still enough to run the furnace cause it gets cold out here at Quartzsite Az at night. More batteries.
  • tatest's avatar
    tatest
    Explorer II
    Jan 25, 2014
    I run into this too. Solutions might include more battery capacity (and power to recharge), live with a lower ambient temperature (I've slept in a tent below freezing, many cultures still use 40-50 F at night, or all day in winter), of relocate to someplace warmer.

    At my age now, I am accustomed to a warmer living space, so. if it is cold enough outside, I'll pay for a power hookup. Even if Ihad more battery capacity, without power they won't get recharged for the next night. Full charge needs 8-12 hours, not going to get that driving or running a genset for a couple hours.
  • ChooChooMan74's avatar
    ChooChooMan74
    Explorer
    Jan 25, 2014
    What is your thermostat set at? Do you have extra blankets? What is your definition of cold? Any way to block of heat outlets to just warm the part(s) of the camper you need warmed?

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