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11-30-2019, 07:48 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Saint George
Posts: 188
M.O.C. #19132
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batteries for dummys info needed
we have a 2016 3720RL love it.
what would a good set up for occasional overnight stop just using batteries?
water heater off, refer on propane. watch a little TV then coffee in the morning.
most of my research has mostly turned up solar and boondocking set ups don't want or need anything that intense. I have 2 generators that have never been used. I just find it a hassle to pull out the generators run the cord then put all away for a few hours not to mention noise gas maintenance (yes the are inverter quiet). this should give you an idea of how often this set up might be used. just something going from point A to point B.
thank you
__________________
2016 Ram 3500 DRW pulling 2016 Montana 3720RL
living in UT. wandering around with my best friend (38) years married and the royals (2 Saint Bernard's)
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11-30-2019, 08:28 AM
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#2
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Established Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Cheyenne
Posts: 29
M.O.C. #23582
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With only batteries your pretty limited to a coffee pot on the stove and no tv that I know of.
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11-30-2019, 08:39 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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Playing with GoPower's calculator I cam up with this
2 100 Amp lithium iron batteries would barely cover you for 1 night with no solar.
play with it and see what you end up with.
you would still need to to add a 2000 watt inverter.
https://gpelectric.com/calculator/
Travel Full-time
Batteries 2 Batteries
Total Daily Amp Draw: 168 Amp Hours
Total Weekly Amp Draw: 168 Amp Hours
DC Loads
Qty avg. use per day in amp hours (Ah)
Light Bulbs 6 4 hrs. per day - Draws 6.24 Ah
Water Pump 1 30 mins. per day - Draws 0.5 Ah
Furnace Fan 2 4 hrs. per day - Draws 64 Ah
Refrigerator 1 6 hrs. per day - Draws 2.4 Ah
Propane Alarm 1 24 hrs. per day - Draws 5.04 Ah
AC Loads
Qty avg. use per day in amp hours (Ah)
Cellphone Charger 2 3 hrs. per day - Draws 24 Ah
TV 1 3 hrs. per day - Draws 36 Ah
DVD Player 1 3 hrs. per day - Draws 9 Ah
Satellite Dish 1 3 hrs. per day - Draws 12 Ah
Microwave 1 10 mins. per day - Draws 17 Ah
Coffee Maker 1 20 mins. per day - Draws 20 Ah
__________________
Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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11-30-2019, 08:41 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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You should be able to get away with a couple regular deep cycle batteries or a couple of golf cart batteries. The coffee and TV will be your problem and cause a need for an inverter.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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11-30-2019, 09:01 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Pensacola (mail forward service)
Posts: 3,198
M.O.C. #13740
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As since you want to run the tv, unless you have one of the small 12vdc tv's in the bedroom, then an inverter is required. Look at the ratings on the tv...usually rated in watts. You will draw this amount of watts from the batteries, plus a ltitle snice inverters aRe at most 90% efficent. So if that tv said 4 amps or 500 watts, then 500 watts plus off the batteries or about 12 times the ac current (4 × 12 = 48) or 48 or 50 amps draw off the batteries. And you never want to use more than 50% of the batteries rated capacity or they go south pretty quick and you will be replacing them.
__________________
2012 F350 6.7 L dually, 2013 3800RE with 6 pt leveling, Sumitomo 17.5" load range h tires, Samsung 18 cu ft residential fridge, 8k Morryde I.S. with disc brakes. Full timing since 2012.
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11-30-2019, 10:22 AM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,929
M.O.C. #20477
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I would add a 2000 watt inverter and 4 golf cart batteries. Lithium batteries are also a great option at higher cost. You might get by with 2 batteries if you never plan to need your furnace. The furnace blower motor is a real power hog.
You will also want a low power coffee maker (800-1000 watts) or make your coffee on the stove.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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11-30-2019, 12:31 PM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Saint George
Posts: 188
M.O.C. #19132
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thank you for the input
so the inverter is a must, will get one
do I need a transfer switch? I have read this is needed somehow yes or no
I plan on retro fitting generator to propane for emergencies (that's why I have 2 but never used) with an efficient charger can I charge the battery while running on battery power few hr morning or evening (then I don't have to mess with the cord) strange I know.
my progressive EMS shows I pull about 10-12 amp running with the criteria I have
shown.
again 3-4 hrs tv then off to bed, Keurig coffee in the morning then hit the road
if the heater is needed then its an RV park
I know I'm missing something here but 2 105ah AGM batteries run down to 50% still gives me 105ah? so 6hr at 12 amps should be good?
I'm shying away from Lithium as prices drop and technology improves tough to justify that cost now for couple nights a year
__________________
2016 Ram 3500 DRW pulling 2016 Montana 3720RL
living in UT. wandering around with my best friend (38) years married and the royals (2 Saint Bernard's)
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11-30-2019, 12:48 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,929
M.O.C. #20477
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Get an inverter with integrated transfer switch - easiest way to go. Magnum and Go-Power are two with that capability.
Your Keurig is a power hog and will test the limits of your inverter and battery bank. Our Keurig is 1500 watts - it will work if nothing else is on.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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11-30-2019, 04:12 PM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Saint George
Posts: 188
M.O.C. #19132
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first thing in the morning nothing else should be on
I don't need a transfer switch?
thank you for all this information.
this board ROCKS
thank you every one
__________________
2016 Ram 3500 DRW pulling 2016 Montana 3720RL
living in UT. wandering around with my best friend (38) years married and the royals (2 Saint Bernard's)
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11-30-2019, 05:03 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,929
M.O.C. #20477
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Will it work without a transfer switch? Yes but I would do one - recommend one of the integrated ones.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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11-30-2019, 10:40 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mesa az
Posts: 2,952
M.O.C. #5651
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The biggest draw by far I think, is the furnace. I had one battery when I started out and at 8500 ft. elevation and overnight low of around 32 my furnace ran almost 3/4 of the time at night. If you are somewhere warmer you can adjust the time.
Anyway, I used the lights quite a bit starting around 3 pm until 10 and the furnace starting at 7 pm. I ran out of juice at 5 a.m. I think the 64 AH listed above may be too low for these temps. However, if you are in 50-60 degree nights, you should use probably much less than half this. So it comes down to usage.
Another thing - I had incandescent lights - if you have LED the usage drops to 20% or so, I think. I don't think a new LCD/LED television draws much if you don't turn up the volume!!!! I would think you could get 2-3 hours without using too much.
If I was stopping in moderate climates and only using TV for 2-3 hours, I don't think you need to spend any more money - at most a couple of golf cart batteries.
Good luck.
__________________
Tom and Gail
2013 Mountaineer 362
2012 Silverado 2500
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12-01-2019, 06:39 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,707
M.O.C. #7992
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Simplify life. Buy a 12volt television and a percolator coffee pot that works on the stove.
__________________
2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
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12-01-2019, 08:34 AM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Saint George
Posts: 188
M.O.C. #19132
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thank you to everyone for your input and advice,
after pricing out the items needed for this project I decided for what little I would use this I'll just stay with what I have. again thank you for the help
__________________
2016 Ram 3500 DRW pulling 2016 Montana 3720RL
living in UT. wandering around with my best friend (38) years married and the royals (2 Saint Bernard's)
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12-04-2019, 01:54 PM
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#14
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Established Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Dunnifan
Posts: 31
M.O.C. #25245
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Okay so I have some experience here as we were stuck boondocking for our first 3 weeks we had our rig. (I know hate the ca dmv) When we picked up our rig the family had out a single 12 volt automobile battery in it. Needless to say it died Within 3 hours when I left the light on in the rig. We know have 6 6volt golf cart batteries and changed all lightbulbs out to LED you can buy bulk lightbulbs on Amazon. Our beast came with a 55v inverter from factory. I also bought a pour over coffee system for $10 at walmart and the kettle can be heated on the stovetop because I can’t survive without my coffee in the morning. Needless to say our bedroom tv is a 12v so we got lucky their.
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12-04-2019, 05:22 PM
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#15
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Chico
Posts: 269
M.O.C. #14041
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Use your tablet or computer for t.v. use a french press or stove top percolator for coffee, minimize your use of the furnace. Plan your sleep time to use lights minimally. The question is how badly do you want to do this? What are you willing to give up?
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12-04-2019, 05:35 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,294
M.O.C. #311
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Off grid
Quote:
Originally Posted by L0veless
we have a 2016 3720RL love it.
what would a good set up for occasional overnight stop just using batteries?
water heater off, refer on propane. watch a little TV then coffee in the morning.
most of my research has mostly turned up solar and boondocking set ups don't want or need anything that intense. I have 2 generators that have never been used. I just find it a hassle to pull out the generators run the cord then put all away for a few hours not to mention noise gas maintenance (yes the are inverter quiet). this should give you an idea of how often this set up might be used. just something going from point A to point B.
thank you
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You want an occasional overnight stop. Your replies have been about boondocking. The reality stopping over night or parking for a week or longer are almost identical when it comes to batteries and usage.
My short story is my old RV like yours had four six volt batters 2 in series each and then the two banks in parallel giving me 440 amp hours. With liquid batteries you can only use 45 to 50 % amp hour without doing damage so that was 220 amp hour usable current. I could survive overnight with furnace fan, TV and Coffee and minor Microwave in the morning using about 120 amp hours.
That is usage. Now you have to replenish with solar or generator.
You commented you have generators but a hassle to hook up. Well you have to pay the Fiedler or don’t dance.
Upgrade your batteries. Or run your generator. And if you don’t put solar to recharge then you need to run the generator to recharge the batteries. If you want to do any off battery (one night or more) living I strongly suggest you get a good battery monitor system like the Ventura 712.
PM me and I will try to help you more. Safe travels
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12-04-2019, 05:51 PM
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#17
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: EAST HAMPTON
Posts: 59
M.O.C. #23030
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Remember lead acid deep cycle batteries life is greatly reduced when depleting them to less than 50% capacity. Starter batteries life is greatly reduced when depleting them to less than 80% capacity. Two group 27 12vdc batteries are not considered sufficient for what you want to do. They will supply approx. 100 amp/hr. without decreasing their intended life cycle.
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12-04-2019, 08:10 PM
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#18
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: beachwood
Posts: 46
M.O.C. #23268
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the amp game
since you said you have 2 generators I am assuming they are 2000 watt. the problem with an inverter is that very little is wired to it with a residential fridge is all the runs on it. so it really is quite a bit of rewiring required. if you buy a dogbone 50 amp to 20 amp. start your little gen and plug in the whole rig. you can run everything except air. just mindful of what you would run at home off of one 20 amp breaker
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12-04-2019, 09:18 PM
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#19
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Pell City
Posts: 299
M.O.C. #17209
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We ran a 32" TV off a group 27 battery and a little 400 alligator clip inverter for over 6 hrs for Saturday afternoon football with no problem. We were not depending on it for other use that day. Our group 29 house battery would run our furnace overnite and we would recharge both the next day from our Honda gen.
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12-04-2019, 10:43 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2017
Location: South East NC
Posts: 1,768
M.O.C. #19865
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Quote:
Originally Posted by catch up with the zzzz
since you said you have 2 generators I am assuming they are 2000 watt. the problem with an inverter is that very little is wired to it with a residential fridge is all the runs on it. so it really is quite a bit of rewiring required. if you buy a dogbone 50 amp to 20 amp. start your little gen and plug in the whole rig. you can run everything except air. just mindful of what you would run at home off of one 20 amp breaker
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I have 2 Champion 2000 watt inverter generators. With the parallel kit they will run 1 15 amp AC unit. Have not used the microwave when it is running though.
__________________
John & Patty
2022 3855 BR
2019 Lariat F350 4X4 Dually
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