271 Ah upgrade

mbloof wrote:

StirCrazy wrote:

mbloof wrote:


Everyones power needs is different. For me in the winter the furnace is the biggest draw and in the summer the fantastic fan is.

Currently I have a mere 136W of solar on the roof (actual ~100W output) and in the summer months my battery is full sometime between noon and 2PM.

Mark0.

How does eveything work in the winter when your running the furnace. I am trying to get an idea what these little camper furnaces draw in the winter. I am hoping to be aboe to get away with a 300watt pannel on the camper.

Steve

It is my understanding that the furnace draws ~4.8A while operating. How many AH it adds up to is dependent on outside temperature, thermostat setting and how long you have the furnace on.

Depending on where you live/camp solar is not very effective in the winter months.

My typical use pattern is leave for camping Friday afternoon and return noon-2pm on Sunday. While a single #27 FLA is good for overnight ether sometime Saturday night or Sunday morning the battery will be dangerously low. This is why I carry a EF1000is in the cab and run it for 1-2hrs on Saturday afternoon in the winter time to bring the battery back up.

With a 271AH battery I likely won't have to carry the generator anymore.

- Mark0.

I have taken my 5th wheel out in october/november. it has 480watts of solar and 470AH worth of lead acid 6V batteries and I have no issues for a weekend. with the camper I only had room for two 6V, so I think Ill gamble on a good 300ish watt pannel for it.

I am also going to put a 1" wrap of high density foam insulation around the bottom "box of the camper. I am hoping that makes the furnace a little more efficient in keeping it warm. has to be better than the 5/8" plywood anyways...

Steve