Running Furnace Overnight

[Captainscott32]

I have a "new to me" Thor 21C Class C, with a single coach battery. We are planning on doing some winter dry camping in Ohio. Not extreme cold, but definitely some furnace weather.

Is it realistic to believe that I could add sufficient battery capacity to make it through the night on a charge? Running the on board generator overnight is not an option for obvious reasons.

Another option would be to use my Yamaha 2000 generator at a safe distance from the coach. while it is only 2000 watts, it should handle these loads nicely.

Thanks for your thoughts,
Scott
2010 Thor Freedom Elite 21C

[sespe]

When I had my 23' Winnebago, running the furnace all night would deplete the battery in 30-degree temps. It's the fan that sucks the juice. I replaced the single 12v battery with 2x 6v batteries. If they got a full charge during the day they handled the furnace without problems.

Now that I'm in a bigger rig, I'm worried my furnace won't keep up with the bigger space at night.

(Our annual October trip (week after next!) is boondocking for a week high in the SoCal mountains. 30's at night, 80's and tons of sun during the day. Solar and 6v batteries work perfect in this situation.)

[tnedator]

Originally Posted by Captainscott32

I have a "new to me" Thor 21C Class C, with a single coach battery. We are planning on doing some winter dry camping in Ohio. Not extreme cold, but definitely some furnace weather.

Is it realistic to believe that I could add sufficient battery capacity to make it through the night on a charge? Running the on board generator overnight is not an option for obvious reasons.

Another option would be to use my Yamaha 2000 generator at a safe distance from the coach. while it is only 2000 watts, it should handle these loads nicely.

Thanks for your thoughts,
Scott
2010 Thor Freedom Elite 21C

Might be good to elaborate on the obvious reasons for not running the generator. Is it in a place where you aren't allowed to run it or is the fear CO?

If CO, have you considered a Genturi or similar device to route the exhaust above the coach and feel better about the CO?

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by tnedator

Might be good to elaborate on the obvious reasons for not running the generator. Is it in a place where you aren't allowed to run it or is the fear CO?

If CO, have you considered a Genturi or similar device to route the exhaust above the coach and feel better about the CO?

That's what I was wondering as well....

[Captainscott32]

Thanks for your replies. As I come from a boating background, CO scares the daylights out of me. I am not all that familiar with the systems that route the exhaust gasses above the coach. Is this a viable option for overnight? We are way off the grid when camping so generator noise is not an issue.

Thanks again!
Scott

[jpmihalk]

Originally Posted by Captainscott32

Thanks for your replies. As I come from a boating background, CO scares the daylights out of me. I am not all that familiar with the systems that route the exhaust gasses above the coach. Is this a viable option for overnight? We are way off the grid when camping so generator noise is not an issue.

Thanks again!
Scott

The Genturi will route the exhaust gas up and above the roofline. We use one when tailgating to be nice to the neighbors and to prevent CO buildup in the coach. Once connected, you can leave the Genturi connected for days or weeks at a time.

[Joe-FL]

Originally Posted by Captainscott32

Thanks for your replies. As I come from a boating background, CO scares the daylights out of me. I am not all that familiar with the systems that route the exhaust gasses above the coach. Is this a viable option for overnight? We are way off the grid when camping so generator noise is not an issue.

Thanks again!
Scott

Scott, I have a similar background. Over the years we would sometimes raft off with other boats overnight (younger party days). A couple of us had diesel boats w/generators but most had gas. The strict rule was none of the gas boats could have their generator's on at night.

If you are dry camping in temps that are mid 30's and higher I would just add another 12 volt. You should put 2 new ones in at the same time and not try to add one new one to the existing one. If you keep your furnace setting low enough those double 12 volts should see you through 8 hours if everything else but the frig is shut down.

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by Joe-FL

Scott, I have a similar background. Over the years we would sometimes raft off with other boats overnight (younger party days). A couple of us had diesel boats w/generators but most had gas. The strict rule was none of the gas boats could have their generator's on at night.

I've seen this mentioned several times now and have to ask: Why? What is different between Diesel and gas that allows you to run a Diesel generator but not a gas one? They both produce CO2, and I'm sure they both produce CO? Does the Diesel produce less CO? (Honestly, not trying to be a troll, just want to understand as they are both internal combustion engines and thus produce about the same emissions). Is it the higher combustion temperatures in Diesel that provides a better burn? (even though there is more soot)

[brucev]

Originally Posted by Captainscott32

I have a "new to me" Thor 21C Class C, with a single coach battery. We are planning on doing some winter dry camping in Ohio. Not extreme cold, but definitely some furnace weather.

Is it realistic to believe that I could add sufficient battery capacity to make it through the night on a charge? Running the on board generator overnight is not an option for obvious reasons.

Another option would be to use my Yamaha 2000 generator at a safe distance from the coach. while it is only 2000 watts, it should handle these loads nicely.

Thanks for your thoughts,
Scott
2010 Thor Freedom Elite 21C

I have a Yamaha 2400 that I have taken with me because it makes less noise and uses less fuel than the onboard. I had trouble with the heater when temps were mid 20's one trip so I purchased a Mr. Heater to carry with me. May be another option for you.

Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy 4,000-9,000-BTU Indoor-Safe Portable Radiant Heater

[gatoeb]

I use the Mr heater. It works great and no fan noise.

[Yvonnemarc]

Diesels will produce CO if running very rich. The incomplete combustion process will result on CO. Otherwise diesels produce nitrogen oxides and particulates.

[Thor34e]

The problem with nonvented propane heaters is moisture

[brucev]

Originally Posted by gatoeb

I use the Mr heater. It works great and no fan noise.

Us Too!

[gatoeb]

If you live in Colorado you do not have a moisture problem

[Nursx2]

I have ran the on board generator all night as well as the furnace with no problems at all.

Last yer in a truck stop! Think about it, these trucks run their engines all night long! It is vented outdoors!!!!!

[Sparks286]

I think you would be asking a lot of a single battery to stay up all night. With that I would add another 12 volt battery. Trouble is you should replace both batteries so you have 2 new batteries otherwise the old battery will pull the new battery down. If you were considering running a small generator I would put electric heater in savior propane since you're going to be running a generator all night anyway that might be a more economic option.

[riskmgr]

Buy two AGM Deep Cycle 210 amp hr batteries and when they’re fully charged, you should have plenty of power before needing to run generator.

[Sparks286]

That will certainly work.

[riskmgr]

Originally Posted by Thor34e

The problem with nonvented propane heaters is moisture

I noticed moisture on my inside windshield. We had run onboard propane heater and I guess it came from it.