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DonandBonnie · 12-27-2013, 01:22 AM

In another post we mentioned that we installed two additional batteries in our Big Sky after experiencing a rapid drain while attempting to boondock with our single battery.

Last night was the big test. We parked at Wally World in Paris, KY. Pulled in about 5pm. Auto leveled the rig and ran out the slides. (At this point the single battery would have been drained to the point that the generator couldn't be started.) Started the generator and ran it for about a half hour to make sure the batteries were fully charged. We killed the generator because we didn't want to risk the propane tanks freezing due to rapid flow from both the generator and furnace running at the same time. Before bed we fired it up again, mainly to use 110 to recharge our computer batteries. It ran for about 15 minutes and we shut it down again. Within a few minutes after shutting down the wall monitor dropped on notch off fully charged. The outside temp dropped to 26 degrees overnight so I was a little concerned about battery drainage with the furnace cycling so much. Woke up at 3am for a nature call and checked the monitor. It had not dropped. At 7 this morning it was still on the first light below fully charged.

Mission accomplished! We can now sleep peacefully knowing that the batteries can carry the furnace overnight without fear of being to drained to start the generator in the morning.

12-27-2013, 01:22 AM	#1
DonandBonnie Montana Master Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Madison Posts: 1,239 M.O.C. #5906	Additional batteries paid off! In another post we mentioned that we installed two additional batteries in our Big Sky after experiencing a rapid drain while attempting to boondock with our single battery. Last night was the big test. We parked at Wally World in Paris, KY. Pulled in about 5pm. Auto leveled the rig and ran out the slides. (At this point the single battery would have been drained to the point that the generator couldn't be started.) Started the generator and ran it for about a half hour to make sure the batteries were fully charged. We killed the generator because we didn't want to risk the propane tanks freezing due to rapid flow from both the generator and furnace running at the same time. Before bed we fired it up again, mainly to use 110 to recharge our computer batteries. It ran for about 15 minutes and we shut it down again. Within a few minutes after shutting down the wall monitor dropped on notch off fully charged. The outside temp dropped to 26 degrees overnight so I was a little concerned about battery drainage with the furnace cycling so much. Woke up at 3am for a nature call and checked the monitor. It had not dropped. At 7 this morning it was still on the first light below fully charged. Mission accomplished! We can now sleep peacefully knowing that the batteries can carry the furnace overnight without fear of being to drained to start the generator in the morning.