Hi all,May 1, 2013 I'll be semi full timing (a minimum of a week per month--and sometimes much more). I intend to attempt to do this with no generator use, and opportunity 15 amp shore power (though most often shore power will not be available).Weather conditions in Regina, SK are such that in winter I'll be experiencing months of temperatures well below freezing. Probably November through March there may be few days that climb above that magic 0 C (32 F).There are no dump sites that are open year round here.I've tried to prepare my class C as much as is possible, but I'm open to any constructive comments.

Catalytic Heaters? No pwr draw.

Are the holding tanks protected from freezing?And what's the aversion to a nice quiet Honda? Just curious....

You need power to run a propane furnace or most any other space heater, unless you go to wood-fired heating or something like that. Most propane furnaces will run down a typical Class C battery bank over one night, certainly will not do two without recharging. Most Class C alternators can't fully recharge a battery bank without running for 4 - 6 hours. I don't understand no generator, but you will either need more solar than will probably fit on top of your MH or a certain 4 - 6 hours a day on a pole somewhere. If you have no dump stations you have to either not use water inside the MH or create a dump station.Does not sound like a plan to me.Brian

Depending on your furnace draw, you may need more solar to keep the batteries up. The combination of winter sun angle & low temperatures is going to eat a lot of propane & amp/hrs running the furnace. While a catalytic heater might help with the batteries, it may cause moisture & ventilation problems, and will not provide heat to the tanks, something that some furnaces do.If you are in one place long enough, you might look into using portable solar panels if you don't have the roof space, as well as an "Extended Stay Propane System" so you don't constantly need to refill the small tank in the RV.No suggestions for dealing with emptying tanks, other than using a tote if you have another vehicle you can use to haul it to the nearest dump station.

Without reliable power for heating this is going to be rough going. In those kinds of temps your furnace will be running 24/7

semi full time no generator | Good Sam Community

190 Replies

jauguston
Explorer
Jun 20, 2013
crcr,

Your experience is quite unique. Hopefully you contacted the Mr Heater company with your experience. If you had that bad a experience when there are thousands of us that use them in our RV's they should have a opportunity to determine the cause. Just returning it to the seller without them having a chance to examine it at the factory does noone any good.

Jim
crcr
Explorer
Jun 20, 2013
jauguston wrote:
Heating with electricity in the scenario you describe is just NOT going to work. You are going to have to heat with propane whether you like it or not. Some type of propane heater that does not require any electricity. You may not like Mr Heater Big Buddy heaters but they are the most like to get the job done safely. We have 8 years experience using one for our primary heating source and we use our coach year around. No problems. If they were unsafe and killed people the Anti-Buddy Heater folks would post links to the times it does kill people every time the subject comes up but strangely enough that never happens. Follow the directions for venting and they are safe.

Jim

I do not recommend any type of propane combustion heater in an enclosed space, even with venting. We bought a Mr Heater Big Buddy, and it gave both my wife and I severe headaches running it overnight. And yes, we had several windows open enough that we got excellent venting. We sent the Mr Heater right back where it came from.
mena661
Explorer
Jun 20, 2013
For the price of ONE of those Efoy cells, PT could replace his flooded batts with three 12V 200Ah each lithium ions AND add 900W to his solar array.
mena661
Explorer
Jun 20, 2013
Old & Slow wrote:

Come in. Do you run a fan on your 'out of this world' batts?
I run a small O2Kool fan that can run either from D cell batteries or 120V. I just run it from the batteries. Supposedly good for 35 hours continuous at high speed. And you're welcome on the tip.
Rolling_Condo
Explorer II
Jun 20, 2013
If it hasn't been mentioned already a fuel cell would be your answer. No worries about starting it. Virtually silent.Would work great in conjunction with your solar set up.Efoy
Here's another link Protonex M250-B Fuel Cell
HiTech
Explorer
Jun 19, 2013
Along those lines, a wind break or enclosed (night time or with power if giving up solar production) unheated space could save amazing amounts of power from accelerated cooling due to air movement, at those extreme temps.

Jim
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jun 19, 2013
Hi Sea,

Nice idea of the heated garage--however the only one I know of would never fit a class C.
Sea_scape
Explorer
Jun 19, 2013
I don't know Regina, but in Winnipeg there were a few parking garages that were heated. If you could find one of those it might help.

The other concern is wind. That increases heat loss. If you can find a sheltered location it would help, particularly one with power for a block heater. It sounds as if you don't need a block heater for your camper to start, so you could use the power for heating/charging. Make sure that it is not one of those power saving ones that cycle.

Have you spoken to any churches where you tune? They may let you park and plug in for a contribution. Having you there may even provide some security for them.
Old___Slow
Explorer
Jun 19, 2013
Mena661,

Come in. Do you run a fan on your 'out of this world' batts?

Thanks mena for putting me onto SolarBlvd.com. They really have been quite helpful. More later on their Cynergy 24v/120w PV panel. Awesome CS. and thanks again.

O&S
Floyd
mena661
Explorer
Jun 15, 2013
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