Inverters, two batteries and furnace burn time
#1
Posted 07 January 2010 - 08:05 PM
We are back from a two week road trip which was really the shake down trip for our camper. I am running one 24 series deep cycle battery with the poor mans auxiliary charging system, just a 4 post solenoid drawing power from the windshield wiper motor so it only charges when the key is on. For a little extra safety when off the beaten path I put two quick disconnects in the system as a poor mans battery isolator. In established campgrounds I don't worry about it but for a little extra piece of mind in the back country I pop the hood and disconnect those two spots which means even if the solenoid fails the camper can't draw the truck battery down. The system worked great, even when stopped for 4 days with minimal heater usage the lights didn't even dim. However, one night in Death Valley we decided to set the thermostat and leave the heater on and able to cycle overnight. We woke up to a dead battery. My in laws were near by with a battery charger and generator so we just drove to them and charged back up. It was a good test. Also we found ourselves wanting to charge the laptop in places without shore power so I got thinking about an inverter. This left me with a few questions that you all may be able to help me with.
1. For those of you running two batteries and perhaps larger batteries are you able to set the furnace thermostat and leave it on overnight or is that always too much draw?
2. For those running hard wired inverters how many watts are you running and do you need to have two batteries to keep the lap top and phone charge draw from killing your battery?
3. I want to install a meter that gives me real time info about my battery charge. I know FWC and ATC install them in their new campers but has anyone found an aftermarket one that they really like?
Thanks for the help guys!
Rich
#2
Posted 07 January 2010 - 10:31 PM
I should mention I can Isolate the camper battery if I feel the need to with a switch.
Edited by craig333, 08 January 2010 - 09:31 PM.
Craig K6JGV_________________________ 2004 2500 CTD 4X4 FWC HAWK 1960 CJ5
#3
Posted 07 January 2010 - 11:52 PM
"Not all who wander are lost. Except Ted, he's usually lost." Dirty Dog
#4
Posted 08 January 2010 - 12:31 AM
I'm running two cheapo 12v batteries in the camper and have a 1500w inverter which, as I guess many do, has a very nice voltage indicator. I added the second battery to insure that the furnace would always run. I also have a Northern Tool 15w panel on the roof that has it's own battery indicator and keeps the batteries in good shape, at least when there is sun. Here is a decent inexpensive inverter, 1250w continuous for just over $100. http://www.sierratra...C-Inverter.html The microwave suck batteries dry fastWe run two 12 volt AGM batteries in the camper. We always leave the heater on all night. A recent trip to Tahoe got down to 18 degrees overnight. Heater was set at 45 and ran a lot. No problems. That said, we had driven about three hours to get to camp, so the batteries were fully charged. I would be hesitant to run the heater like that while parked in one spot for multiple days.
#5
Posted 08 January 2010 - 03:58 AM
#6
Posted 08 January 2010 - 04:04 AM
Does anyone have an aftermarket gauge suggestion?
#7
Posted 08 January 2010 - 04:05 AM
I do a four battery setup,two in the camper and two under the hood....Hey comfort is not cheap!
Wow Robojeeper that sounds like a bomber system but where do you store all the liquor with that many batteries on board?
#8
Posted 08 January 2010 - 04:50 AM
#9
Posted 08 January 2010 - 06:55 AM
Thanks for the info guys,
Does anyone have an aftermarket gauge suggestion?
Rich,
I installed this digital voltmeter as have several others in the group. Works good for me.
www.alliedelec.com/Images/Products/Datasheets/BM/LASCAR_ELECTRONICS/572-0002.PDF
Dick
#10
Posted 08 January 2010 - 02:25 PM
I was out and about yesterday and came out of an establishment to find my truck battery drained (ah...kids and car stereos). I had jumpers but there wasn't any movement around/anyone nearby...so after the initial bum out and standard "WTF???" period I started thinking about the battery in the FWC that is ALWAYS chaged fully via the solar panel....
I dug under the cushions for the battery and unhooked the nifty velcro strap and then sat the battery (still hooked to the camper cables) near the sliding window in the FWC. I had just enough power to get the rear slider down in the Tundra and fortunately...the cables JUST reached from battery to battery.
Click........ Vroooom.....problem averted.
I love my camper
mtn
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