question about batteries
Help me understand what can and can't be run off of battery power. Obviously I realize the A/C can't be run, but what else? I see where people are talking about upgrading their battery or getting a 2...
Forum Discussion
Tim,
Most motorhomes have 12 volt DC, a generator, a inverter to convert DC to AC. Even my 1975 motorhome had all three of these. What you can run depends on the size of the batteries, inverter, and generator. My 1975 had one large deep cycle battery an old simple inverter and a 6 kw (6000 watt) gas generator. The refrigerator was a three way so I ran it off of propane when not plugged in. And she had enough inverter power to run a TV or radio or computer. That was about it. Anything more and the genny had to be turned on.
Our current rig is 14 years old and is all electric. We have 6 8D (big big) batteries, 2 inverters of 3,000 watts each) and a 12,500 watt diesel genny. You can run pretty much anything except the air conditioners with the inverters. Although if the volts are lower the generator will sometimes kick on if you run the microwave.
The watts needed to power the device you want to run will determine how you have to power it.
Most motorhomes have 12 volt DC, a generator, a inverter to convert DC to AC. Even my 1975 motorhome had all three of these. What you can run depends on the size of the batteries, inverter, and generator. My 1975 had one large deep cycle battery an old simple inverter and a 6 kw (6000 watt) gas generator. The refrigerator was a three way so I ran it off of propane when not plugged in. And she had enough inverter power to run a TV or radio or computer. That was about it. Anything more and the genny had to be turned on.
Our current rig is 14 years old and is all electric. We have 6 8D (big big) batteries, 2 inverters of 3,000 watts each) and a 12,500 watt diesel genny. You can run pretty much anything except the air conditioners with the inverters. Although if the volts are lower the generator will sometimes kick on if you run the microwave.
The watts needed to power the device you want to run will determine how you have to power it.
