Battery power in fall

bpounds wrote:
a common question that comes up is "do I need a battery?"

Not here in the Tech Section. Maybe in the Beginners section it does, but I don't have enough compassion to participate there :)

DC systems work better with battery connected, even if converter is on. Plus, safety measure in the event of a short-term power failure, plus breakaway power, and several other reasons.

bpounds wrote:

tonymull wrote:
Why are they still selling RV's with one battery?

Many people won't ever need more than one. They just roll around between one FHU park and the next. In fact, a common question that comes up is "do I need a battery?" And we explain it.

Small tanks is a similar issue. Some really don't need much.

Do I need a battery lol. I don't know why it bugs me, but why the heck wouldn't people have at least one? Even if one is a pedestal prince, surely you wouldn't want to be left with NOTHING in a power outage? or have zero ability to use anything in transit... or the list goes on.

tonymull wrote:
Why are they still selling RV's with one battery?

Many people won't ever need more than one. They just roll around between one FHU park and the next. In fact, a common question that comes up is "do I need a battery?" And we explain it.

Small tanks is a similar issue. Some really don't need much.

Strabo wrote:
...if the battery is fairly new and fully charged it will run several nights, ours does.

Maybe, but you are also ruining your battery if you do that. Unless you have some sort of super efficient blower in that heater - that no one else has ever heard of - which I doubt.

tonymull wrote:
Why are they still selling RV's with one battery?

Dealers don't know any better, and don't care about your off-grid use.

Manufacturers don't care either. RVs are poorly suited for offgrid living (not just a battery, it's a long list, I don't want to start on it now), - and this isn't going to change any time soon. They deliver RV to dealers without a battery.

Dealer adds - at your cost - what they call a "starter kit" that includes a tiny battery, cheap drain hose and a roll of toilet paper. I told him to keep all this and give me some discount because was planning to use 3*100 AH AGM, a better drain hose and a regular toilet paper since "RV paper" doesn't dissolve any better than a household kind.

tonymull wrote:
Why are they still selling RV's with one battery?

How many do you need to travel and plug in?

Yes they are missing out on providing an optional 'off-grid' package with solar, extra battery(s), inverter, oversize holding tanks etc.

So do they put **** grade China ST bomb tires on many trailers because they figure most people dont tow very far??? Don't kid youself its all about cutting as much cost out of the unit as they possibly can.

tonymull wrote:
Why are they still selling RV's with one battery?

Because quite a few people camp in places with electrical hookups and don't need more battery capacity, perhaps? And also some people don't camp in cool or cold climates where the furnace is used much?

I could just as well ask why so many RVs are sold without a gas oven in as much as I would not want to do without one if at all possible...but it seems some other people have different wants and priorities.

An alternative I have found to running a noisy furnace at night is use of electric blankets. They make both AC and DC powered versions. Something to consider.

Bumpyroad wrote:
how many batteries? what is it's/their capacity?
bumpy

No kidding... One of my biggest pet peeves. People posting looking for advice and provide no useful information to work with.