Possible to run heat at night without killing your batteries

My suggestion on the fantastic fan was to not run the A/C in the summer if the outside temps are below 90 while out and about.

Closed up the RV is an oven. Using a fantastic fan to pull outside air across a small area like a bathroom can make it close to outside temp which a dog with water can usually deal with. As noted a portable fan might be of additional value, but close to worthless by itself.

As noted I'd want to try it and monitor temps before throwing the animal in the mix. Obviously if the temps are higher, or the fan doesn't keep it cool enough, a location with a plug makes the most sense, with generator operations running a close second.

Yes I know it can be a challenge to pull the temps down if it's been off in the heat of the day, but from 90 or less outside, mines comfortable fairly quick. In fact we've spent several weeks in 80+ weather with nothing but the fantastic fans for cooling as we dry camp a lot. Admittedly in pretty dry climates that cool off at night.
In high humidity, you really need the air.

As for heat, a good battery bank, even two batteries can do ok with the furnace set reasonably low and can be supplemented with a portable heater during waking hours.

Les

rockhillmanor wrote:
Not a battery answer but does solve the problem of killing the batteries.

http://www.mrheater.com/ProductFamily.aspx?catid=41

A Mr. Heater plus a down comforter works for me. I don't run the heater all night but start it about 1/2 hour before I'm up for the day. Its like a little fireplace. I have been known to run the furnace 10 minutes to get the chill off. Good luck!
Jack H

lhatton wrote:
The problem with a portable unit is that it doesn't pull fresh air in from outside. It will turn your "oven" of an RV into a "convection oven" by stirring around the hot air.

I would consider one in addition to a whole house fan. And yes the Fantastic Fan is extremely efficient. I'm thinking it pulls less than 2 amps on low. I've run mine constant while bookdocking and love it.

Les

That outside air is usually even hotter depending on when you turn on the AC. By cooling the inside air, it gets progressively cooler. The AC is extracting heat and venting it out side.

lhatton wrote:
The problem with a portable unit is that it doesn't pull fresh air in from outside. It will turn your "oven" of an RV into a "convection oven" by stirring around the hot air.

Les

Les,

Not sure I understand the issue. ALL RV A/C's take inside air and return it to the inside-- no outside air is introduced.

The problem with a portable unit is that it doesn't pull fresh air in from outside. It will turn your "oven" of an RV into a "convection oven" by stirring around the hot air.

I would consider one in addition to a whole house fan. And yes the Fantastic Fan is extremely efficient. I'm thinking it pulls less than 2 amps on low. I've run mine constant while bookdocking and love it.

Les

The Fantastick Fan Endless Breeze fan is the same fan in a portable configuration that plugs into a cigarette lighter socket. It is handy to move where you want a breeze.

Endless Breeze Fan

Good comments from lhatton above. I would add the in my opinion Fantastic fans are better than MaxxAir. We asked the shop years ago to up grade our 2 Fantastic Fans to ones with bidirectional switch and thermostat. They put in MaxxAir fans which seem to me much louder and draw more current.

We also find that here in Southern Mexico, if we wait for the interior temp to reach 90F to start the AC it runs continuously and temp fall very slowly if at all, depending on what outside temps are doing. We set the AC thermostat to 80F and it holds it there all day with outside temps up to 90F which is about maximum here. Note we are running only the first compressor as we are only on a 30A service. The big problem here is the humidity. The AC does a good job lowering that.

Edited to fix a "fat finger" typo.

Any good three stage charger will bulk charge fairly fast. Check to see what you have before spending and cash for a new one.
I installed this on my old pace arrow with a 2 golfcart battery house bank.

Progressive Dynamics 9160A with a Charge Wizard.

http://www.progressivedyn.com/rv_converter_pd9170_2.html
http://www.progressivedyn.com/charge_wizard_9105.html

or larger if you plan to increase the battery bank to larger than 2 batteries (12v parallel or 6v series which I'd recommend.)

None of the 12v side is going to help much with the heat down here in the south during the summer. In less than 90 degree heat I would consider installing a fantastic fan w thermostat in the bathroom and open a cross flow window. With water available and some moving air most dogs can tolerate the heat fairly well. You would need to try it a time or two with a thermometer that records highs before putting the animals into the mix.

For the really hot season electrics or generator use is gonna be mandatory with the genny being the more expensive route.

I would upgrade the converter and battery first. Adding either a similar 12v house battery as you have or two new 6v golf cart batts.

Second I would upgrade the house ventilation with one or two fantastic fans.

Both are fairly easy upgrades and will minimize the run time on the generator and or the need to run it for recharging from heat/ventilation use.

Good Luck and let us know how it turns out.

Les

Hi,

What do you have in it now?

lacofdfireman wrote:
What is a Good Charger/Converter to put on my coach. Brand? Price. And any links would help greatly. Thanks..

That face kinda reminds me of Jim Nabors doing Gomer Pile. ROFLMAO