Ducted furnaces in cold weather and battery drain


Darrell

New Member
I ORIGIONALLY POSTED THIS IN TALKBACK THEN NOTICED THAT THIS FORUM HAS MORE TRAFFIC.
Sorry to those who read this twice.

I am looking for an RV to use for both summer and winter use. I am looking at older units, 78-88ish. A or C isn't an issue.
My question is, since I will be gone from the MH for a whole day leaving in the morning and comming back in the evening 12 hours later.
With a ducted furnaces fan using battery power how long will a battery typically last? Temps can be as low as single digit hi's so even just trying to keep the coach at a minimum temp will require the furnace to run a lot. I plan on insulating ceiling vents, outer walls under cabinets and some sort of window coverings to minimize heat loss to help out.
How long would a battery last if it was a typical 750 Ah deep cycle?
Will I have to fully charge the battery every morning and night or will it last 2 or 3 days?
Will the furnace work if battery power drops very low, ie almost dead? A non ducted furnace seems the simplest but they are only in pretty small Rv's and I would like something in the 22-27' range.Will a ducted furnace work for me at all or should I lok for non ducted units only?
Thanks
Darrell
 

RobRV

Junior Member
Ducted furnaces in cold weather and battery drain

I would suggest that you will not be too happy with an older unit with a ducted furnace. The problem will be that the Furnace Fan will draw too much power from your battery, not to mention how much propane it will consume! quote:Originally posted by Darrell

I ORIGIONALLY POSTED THIS IN TALKBACK THEN NOTICED THAT THIS FORUM HAS MORE TRAFFIC.
Sorry to those who read this twice.

I am looking for an RV to use for both summer and winter use. I am looking at older units, 78-88ish. A or C isn't an issue.
My question is, since I will be gone from the MH for a whole day leaving in the morning and comming back in the evening 12 hours later.
With a ducted furnaces fan using battery power how long will a battery typically last? Temps can be as low as single digit hi's so even just trying to keep the coach at a minimum temp will require the furnace to run a lot. I plan on insulating ceiling vents, outer walls under cabinets and some sort of window coverings to minimize heat loss to help out.
How long would a battery last if it was a typical 750 Ah deep cycle?
Will I have to fully charge the battery every morning and night or will it last 2 or 3 days?
Will the furnace work if battery power drops very low, ie almost dead? A non ducted furnace seems the simplest but they are only in pretty small Rv's and I would like something in the 22-27' range.Will a ducted furnace work for me at all or should I lok for non ducted units only?
Thanks
Darrell
 

janicenlarry

New Member
Ducted furnaces in cold weather and battery drain

That sucker will drain your batteries in no time. Unless you install an Extend-a-stay, you will also be moving the unit too many times for LP refills. Suggest either an electic heater (oil filled are larger but really give a nice heat) or an LP Catalytic heater. Better yet, move to a warmer climate. :cool:
 

Ed H.

New Member
Ducted furnaces in cold weather and battery drain

I have to say that I have never understood the thinking in making self-contained RVs that can only function without hookups for a few hours. A gravity furnace, standing pilot refrigerator, and otheer appliances that can run without draining the battery should be standard equipment. Either that or install a solar battery charger and battery pack that can provide enough electricity for at least a 3-day stay ( you would probably need to get water and dumpo the holding tanks by then anyway.)
 
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