We may have our first opportunity to dry camp mid winter for one night. Do I stand a chance of surviving on a single deep cycle 12V battery, or should I just plan on buying my first i2000?

When racing in Oct and April, I was lucky to make a night on a single battery and heat. Luckily back then, we had dumb refers.

The rule of thumb is one battery per night. However it depends on how big a barn you are heating and how cold it gets overnight. I have seen about 100AH drawn by the furnace alone in 24hrs with outside temps just above freezing with our medium sized rig. That is more than a whole typical 24 size "RV" battery, which is supposed to be only drawn down to 50%, so that would take two of those 85AH things just for the furnace in that case. Then add a couple more batts to run the other stuff (watching TV/DVD via inverter, turn on a light, fan, water pump once in a while)So without any other info on the OP's scenario, the correct answer remains, "Until 3am the first morning." (At which time the DW kicks you out of bed, and you have to run in circles, scream, and shout till the problem is solved--never mind what the dog will do to help you by also running in circles and barking.)

Depends on the size of the camper; the smaller the camper then the less the heater will cycle on/off. I have a 27ft and can't make it for a 24 hour periodon one battery.I purchased a "Buddy Heater" - small propane heater with a 1lb tank. I use this as a supplemental heater while awake (keep the vent open slightly); When i go to bed I switch the heater off - use an extra blanket to keep warm.Purchased a generator a few years ago to give me piece of mind that I will never run out of electricity. This year I converted to Solar - so far so good.gerry

Keep the thermostat low at night, 50 or 55, and use quilts.

2 6-volt golf cart batteries would be a good investment for camping mid-winter and running the furnace with blower. But . . .Depending on the type of RV you have, camping mid-winter in Michigan is probably not a good idea. If you have a well-insulated 4-season camper, you may be okay, but most are not meant to endure potential sub-zero temperatures without something (such as water lines) freezing and causing misery.I've camped in early spring and late fall in the mountains here in WV in a regular TT. The single digits is as cold as I ever want to experience, and then only on very rare occasions. In spring and fall, I can count on those cold spells being of brief duration before things can thaw.Wayne

How long will single battery last with heater running?

52 Replies

BFL13
Explorer II
Sep 18, 2015
The rule of thumb is one battery per night. However it depends on how big a barn you are heating and how cold it gets overnight.

I have seen about 100AH drawn by the furnace alone in 24hrs with outside temps just above freezing with our medium sized rig. That is more than a whole typical 24 size "RV" battery, which is supposed to be only drawn down to 50%, so that would take two of those 85AH things just for the furnace in that case.

Then add a couple more batts to run the other stuff (watching TV/DVD via inverter, turn on a light, fan, water pump once in a while)

So without any other info on the OP's scenario, the correct answer remains, "Until 3am the first morning."

(At which time the DW kicks you out of bed, and you have to run in circles, scream, and shout till the problem is solved--never mind what the dog will do to help you by also running in circles and barking.)
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Sep 18, 2015
When racing in Oct and April, I was lucky to make a night on a single battery and heat. Luckily back then, we had dumb refers.

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How long will single battery last with heater running?

52 Replies

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