Forum Discussion
catkins
Jun 29, 2013Explorer II
Our RV is an energy hog with many "phantom" draws. We have solar and when they tested before the install, almost one battery was used per day for those hidden items. I turn off all those pesky little ready lights on TVs/dvr/microwave(which I can't use on battery anyway but it lights up when on inverter!) anything that I can unplug or use a power strip on to turn off, I do so. We have replaced some lights with LED and that help tremendously, they use less that 10% of the other lights.
In general, most people I know can go 1-2 nights only without recharging some way. The less you use, the longer the battery will last- a given.
Older TVs using the inverter will chew through lots of stored power. Newer , smaller TVs use very little, new huge ones will use more. Furnace fans will kill the battery in one night. Even on propane, the fridge needs to draw power for igniting the propane.
It is a matter of figuring out what is essential, maybe using some battery lights and making whatever you have last as long as you can. as stated, beware of discharging the battery too low. Another thing is that last 10% recharge with out system is a trickle charge and can take what seems like forever to get to 100%.
Good luck with the battery side of life. Lots of good info given here.
In general, most people I know can go 1-2 nights only without recharging some way. The less you use, the longer the battery will last- a given.
Older TVs using the inverter will chew through lots of stored power. Newer , smaller TVs use very little, new huge ones will use more. Furnace fans will kill the battery in one night. Even on propane, the fridge needs to draw power for igniting the propane.
It is a matter of figuring out what is essential, maybe using some battery lights and making whatever you have last as long as you can. as stated, beware of discharging the battery too low. Another thing is that last 10% recharge with out system is a trickle charge and can take what seems like forever to get to 100%.
Good luck with the battery side of life. Lots of good info given here.
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