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SoonerWing03's avatar
SoonerWing03
Explorer
May 22, 2019

One night running the heater and blower

I'm not sure what battery I have on the camper but I am sure it has the original battery (I'm at work or I would go look). It's a 2017 Cruiser RV - MPG 2400BH and has a 30,000 BTU heater. We have not been brave enough to try any dry camping yet but was thinking about it tomorrow night. We are going to be traveling to Colorado for a long weekend and I was hoping to take off Thursday afternoon and drive about half way and then finishing the trip Friday morning.

My question is this, I believe it will get down to around 50 degrees Thursday night and am wondering how long I will be able to run the furnace on that original battery. Will it make it through the night if I set the thermostat st 60 - 65 degrees and don't use any lights or any other power? We will have full hookups at our campsite in CO so it will be fully recharged the following day.

I have read about the catalytic heater option with low oxygen shut off but I just can't pull the trigger on that with my wife and 3 boys in the camper. I'm sure it would be fine but I just can't do it.
  • Matt_Colie's avatar
    Matt_Colie
    Explorer II
    May 22, 2019
    I cannot find it in the specifications, but if it is a single battery, then it is a bad bet. With any single battery and a 30K heater by anybody, it will want about 10 amps when the fan is running. That will kill any normal battery before morning.

    So, if you run that heater more than about 6 hours from a fully charged battery, it may go down.

    If you come back tomorrow with more about your house bank and what the heater is, I can give you a more accurate answer. You may not like it any better, but it will be closer.

    Matt
  • way2roll's avatar
    way2roll
    Navigator II
    May 22, 2019
    LOTS of variables. How many batts do you have, how old are they, what condition are they in, how warm are you planning on setting the t stat, what's the R value of the rv, etc, etc.

    All that said, one batt, in good shape with a full charge should get you through the night at 50 degrees provided you don't set it to 80.

    One note, open a bath roof vent or something. A by product of LP burning is water vapor and will drive up the humidity in your RV.
  • smarty's avatar
    smarty
    Explorer II
    May 22, 2019
    We always take a second fully charged battery when we boondock. Just in case...
    I think you will be fine for one nite tho...
  • janstey58's avatar
    janstey58
    Explorer
    May 22, 2019
    At 50 degrees I would have the windows open and enjoy the cool air. Or just use extra blankets and take off the chill in the AM when you wake up. Just other options.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    May 22, 2019
    50 is maybe not even cold enough to cycle on much. I think you will be fine with the temp set at 65 or lower.
    Worst case you will have a bit of a chill in the morning.
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    May 22, 2019
    well maybe. the battery full charged? water level full? post and cables clean? don,t turn it on till your ready for bed. it might do it.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    May 22, 2019
    Should be easy to determine the amp hour draw and then your battery’s AH capacity with 50% useable. What make and model heater? 60 to 65F overnight seems warm to me, however. Dry camping is great! True freedom.

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