Battery life?

[looking4fun]

Hey guys I got a quick question. I got a Brand new 24 series deep cycle battery in my camper (2003 funfinder shadow cruiser). I'm trying to figure out if the battery will run the propane heater overnight with the thermostat set to a comfortable temp. Like 60 to 65*F. The temps overnight recently have been in the mid 40's to mid 50's. I have a few lights hooked up but I use small battery operated led lights for my main lighting source so it doesn't drain the big battery. How long do you think the deep cycle will run the heater for (The heater will be turned off when we are not sleeping)?

 

[Jeepin Dad]

We just spent the weekend dry camping at Shenandoah National Park and the night time temps were in the 40's, the battery had no problem running the furnace over night, the battery meter was showing about 1/2 charge each morning. We ran the generator a couple of hours each day to charge the battery back up. Saturday was cold and rainy, never got out of the 50's, so we were in the camper with the lights (LED's) on most of the afternoon and night with the water pump and furnace kicking on every once in a while, the battery still showed about 1/3 charge Sunday morning.

 

[Evo2700]

I have a 160 with two batteries hooked up to run together. I can go dry camping about 4 days with no problem.

 

[looking4fun]

Jeepin Dad and aubbenslv do you know what series your batteries are? I would like to eventually get 2 27 series batteries. The 27 series is a bigger battery and 2 will give me double the battery life when ran in a parallel circuit. But for now all I have is the 24 series and since it is new I really don't want to replace it and waste my money for nothing. Im looking to run the heater for 2 nights without being charged.

 

[Jeepin Dad]

Mine is a 24 series, I plan on adding second battery at some point.

 

[looking4fun]

Ok that give me some reassurance. I need to get an extra battery box and tap into the vent for the battery box. some wiring and Ill be good to go! One day I want to add a solar panel on top to charge the batteries but first I have to finish building the camper.

 

[LJAZ]

You may want to look into running two 6V golf cart batteries in series. The 6V batteries in series will last longer than 2 12V deep cycle. Do a search on 'golf' and there should be a couple of threads where folks have done this.

 

[looking4fun]

You may want to look into running two 6V golf cart batteries in series. The 6V batteries in series will last longer than 2 12V deep cycle. Do a search on 'golf' and there should be a couple of threads where folks have done this.

I did the search and did com up with some posts about the golf cart batteries. But since the battery is new I will just keep what I have and possibly get another battery further down the road. I know I can plug into my TV to charge the battery during the day but does anybody use those small portable solar panels? If so, what amp/hour would be good for a small portable panel? I wont be using the battery at all during the day cause I'm usually never in the camp site except for stopping in for food or the end of the day campfire/sleeping. Also I don't have a battery volt/amp meter any recommendation on a decent one that I could install?

 

[shadow-FUN]

simple and cheap voltmeter simple to install
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...stem on my 189 140w, works extremely well. http://www.windsun.com/