Single Battery Enough?

DJ, what exactly is that setup for you to clamp your charger on and where was it available?
thanks,
bumpy

Reddog1 wrote:
I think the statements of not running the fridge on 12-volts are absolutely valid. There are several ways to camp in cold weather with one battery, but in my opinion running the furnace all night is not one of them. I also question a second battery being a solution. I do agree one battery is not adequate with your present setup, especially in cold weather.

If you add a second battery, with no other changes, you may last the night. The question is, how are you going to charge both batteries for the next night? It does not make sense to add batteries with no way to charge. I am aware you can use your truck, but I think it is limited unless you have modified its charging system.

With a generator running several hours a day, and you have a smart charger, then you could charge the batteries daily. But then why add a second battery if you charge daily.

My suggestion is to change your primary lights to L.E.D.s. Install a Wave3 heated (uses no battery), use the furnace as a backup for the Wave3, never run your fridge on 12-volt. If you need inverters bigger than 100 watts, leave the appliance at home.

Bottom line is that it is much easier, and probably cheaper to save energy than it is to make it. You are not through simply be adding a second battery, there is support equipment required.

Wayne

We can get through a 3-4 day ski weekend with 2 gr 27 AGM's. That is running furnace at night, water pump, a few lights.
By day #5 we will need a good charge (genny) but we are usually headed home at this point anyway.
We have a Honda 2k...but I really don't like to lug it around and only take it winter camping.
We have been on the road for an entire month (not winter) and never hooked up to any power source. We are fine with the 2 AGM's.
Solar is pretty much useless in New England...particularly in the winter.
If you plan to do LOTS of extended winter camping, the Wave type heaters are a great idea too.
We carry a poor mans Wave (buddy heater-just in case).

For us the bottom line was, winter camping with one battery is not practical, you will be operating on the edge and will likely draw it down to the point of damage overnight if you run a furnace. Freezing your pipes (and your Wife!) would not be much fun.
Dual batteries...are a practical way to winter camp for short periods off the grid...or carry a genny.

Reddog1 wrote:
I think the statements of not running the fridge on 12-volts are absolutely valid. There are several ways to camp in cold weather with one battery, but in my opinion running the furnace all night is not one of them. I also question a second battery being a solution. I do agree one battery is not adequate with your present setup, especially in cold weather.

If you add a second battery, with no other changes, you may last the night. The question is, how are you going to charge both batteries for the next night? It does not make sense to add batteries with no way to charge. I am aware you can use your truck, but I think it is limited unless you have modified its charging system.

With a generator running several hours a day, and you have a smart charger, then you could charge the batteries daily. But then why add a second battery if you charge daily.

My suggestion is to change your primary lights to L.E.D.s. Install a Wave3 heated (uses no battery), use the furnace as a backup for the Wave3, never run your fridge on 12-volt. If you need inverters bigger than 100 watts, leave the appliance at home.

Bottom line is that it is much easier, and probably cheaper to save energy than it is to make it. You are not through simply be adding a second battery, there is support equipment required.

Wayne

I agree with Wayne here. A 2nd battery will give you that 2nd night but then you somehow have to charge both. So anything longer than a weekend you are going to have to drive or come up with other charging methods.

I added the 2nd battery as I have a 12 volt compressor fridge that will kill one battery in 24 hours in hot weather. But I also have 100 watts of solar and I added external terminals to charge the battery with a stand alone battery charger hooked to a small generator. This method charges the batteries much faster than using the house trickle charger/converter.

If I am planted somewhere for a spell I start the generator and use the battery charger every AM while I do breakfast and my morning routines. The solar keeps up until the sun goes down.

I think the statements of not running the fridge on 12-volts are absolutely valid. There are several ways to camp in cold weather with one battery, but in my opinion running the furnace all night is not one of them. I also question a second battery being a solution. I do agree one battery is not adequate with your present setup, especially in cold weather.

If you add a second battery, with no other changes, you may last the night. The question is, how are you going to charge both batteries for the next night? It does not make sense to add batteries with no way to charge. I am aware you can use your truck, but I think it is limited unless you have modified its charging system.

With a generator running several hours a day, and you have a smart charger, then you could charge the batteries daily. But then why add a second battery if you charge daily.

My suggestion is to change your primary lights to L.E.D.s. Install a Wave3 heated (uses no battery), use the furnace as a backup for the Wave3, never run your fridge on 12-volt. If you need inverters bigger than 100 watts, leave the appliance at home.

Bottom line is that it is much easier, and probably cheaper to save energy than it is to make it. You are not through simply be adding a second battery, there is support equipment required.

Wayne

My Lance 850 came with 2 Interstate deep cycle batteries, that said, I conserve power in a few ways...

At the campsite, I only use 2 of the jacks to stabilize the camper. I found 2 is enough. I always leave the truck idling when I am lowering or raising the jacks. Along with the furnace, the jacks are a big power consumer.

I never run the fridge on 12v. My 850 has a switch to disable 12v fridge operation, so it cannot be inadvertently put into the 12v mode. I either leave the fridge off or run the fridge on propane while driving.

Our Lance came with 1 85W solar panel. I am going to add at least one more to extend our dry camping stay without having to idle the engine or drive to bring up the batteries. Our Lance did not come with a generator, and I don't plan to buy one.

FWIW I added a second battery to my TC last month. Made a huge difference!! I bought a set of 12 volt Trojan Group 30s at 130 AH each. There is only room for 1 inside the TC so I placed the 2nd ahead of the fenderwell inside the bed. Of course it has to be placed before loading the TC so I connect it with an Anderson Clip after the TC is loaded.

mbloof wrote:
If I recall correctly the Lance cord is specifically designed so that enough truck-to-camper current is available to run the fridge on 12V.

It's actually the truck's wiring feeding the camper cord that is the weak link.

If you have room a second battery it is a really a good idea.

If you are using the refer in 12v (on the road), as soon as the engine is turned off so should the ref. just a huge draw on battery. Even refueling I would 1st turn it off. Should also turn off refer at least an hour before you arrive at destination. Give your battery a chance to to recharge, refer should stay cold for several hours.
Most trucks struggle if successful keeping up camper loads.

So I agree there, you likely arrived with battery already a bit low, shut off truck, switched refer mode/lowered the jacks further draining, then retired. Furnace is also a huge draw. After starting low, running furnace thru night, then you use the jacks again, 3rd largest consumer...especailly if trying all 4 at once.
We also raise and lower jacks (and slide) while truck is running, every little bit helps when your relying on battery.

don't ever put your refrig on battery, it'll kill your battery charge.

if anything just get two batteries, and remember that with 2 batteries the amps will always be the weakest battery so buy 2 new ones together.

mbloof wrote:
In some states its ILLEGAL to drive with a propane appliance actually using propane. If you recall your "walk around" when you bought your TC (this IS a TC forum after all) the dealer may of mentioned that your propane tanks ought to be TURNED OFF while the camper is in motion. (at least both of mine told me this).

Please share what states and provide statutes that describes this legal language? If this is/was true most semi trucks and just about every RV going down the road is ready to be impounded.

Sorry, someone shared some incorrect info to you. The only thing you should be concerned about is running your hot water heater when filling at a gas station. Since mine is on the opposite side of my filler, not a problem. But then I don't run my water heater except to heat water for shower.

b