Older RV heater question

[Mike D]

Older RV heater question

A few things:

* you still need a battery. The converter is not designed to stand alone and run stuff. You need the battery for reserve capacity.

* most everything in the trailer runs off 12v with the exception of the outlets, a/c and your furnace blower motor.

* your converter will keep the battery charged when plugged in.

* as has already been said, the furnace will suck down propane like no tomorrow. The only time we use ours is for supplemental heat. We run forced fan electric heaters in ours and only use the furnace as a chill buster in the mornings on really cold nights. If we know we will be coming back the next weekend we will leave the furnace on at its lowest setting so at least it isn't freezing in there when we get there on Friday night.


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[CWendling]

So what about the months that the RV isnt plugged in? Im guessing a battery tender of some sort?

[CWendling]

So its sounding like the consensus is to use electric heaters and just the propane for the water heater and stove

[fishingsetx]

So its sounding like the consensus is to use electric heaters and just the propane for the water heater and stove

if you have shore power, electric heaters are fine. where we camp, it's generator or 12v power. we prefer to run everything on 12v and listen to the yotes howl rather than a noisy generator run.

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[BrianL]

They make a inferred heater for campers. Those force air heaters are propane hogs. I use electric heaters when possible. Get 2 with small footprint, one for front and back.

[Mike D]

So what about the months that the RV isnt plugged in? Im guessing a battery tender of some sort?

If you can plug in a battery tender you can plug the camper in to keep your battery charged.

[careybirdwell]

This is a 1969. Its in great shape, I couldnt believe it was that old. So does the converter charge the 12v as well then? Seems that most of the lights work and the fridge and AC works as well as the outlets. There are a few lights that werent working, but I attributed that to dead bulbs. I guess it is possible that some were powered by 12v

Most of the newer trailer have mostly 12V lighting but I have seen a lot of older trailers that had a lot if 120V lights. If you have 12v lighting and it is working than it is a good chance that your converter is still working. I use both electric heat & gas furnace and the furnace will really get it warm when it is cold outside. Most electric heaters are 5k--8k BTU where most RV furnaces are 24K-48K BTU, so you can't compare the 2 when it get cold. That said, a little electric heater will keep a little 20' trailer nice & comfortable.

[RascalArms]

Most of the newer trailer have mostly 12V lighting but I have seen a lot of older trailers that had a lot if 120V lights. If you have 12v lighting and it is working than it is a good chance that your converter is still working. I use both electric heat & gas furnace and the furnace will really get it warm when it is cold outside. Most electric heaters are 5k--8k BTU where most RV furnaces are 24K-48K BTU, so you can't compare the 2 when it get cold. That said, a little electric heater will keep a 20' trailer nice and comfortable.

^^^This^^^

I've got 2 of these and it has to be pretty darn cold before #2 ever gets cranked up

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Optimus-Portable-Utility-Heater-with-Thermostat-Mid-Size/35701663?action=product_interest&action_type=title&item_id=35701663&placement_id=irs-106-m3&strategy=PWBAB&visitor_id&category=&client_guid=7dd4a884-dbcf-4b79-9685-3e8969c0a7a1&customer_id_enc&config_id=106&parent_item_id=17808701&parent_anchor_item_id=17808701&guid=a68f6ce0-70a7-46ef-a274-9125de564aa1&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&beacon_version=1.0.1&findingMethod=p13n

[CWendling]

I think its 24'. While we do have power in camp, Im not comfortable leaving it plugged in for months when Im not there. Any chance some lights are 12v and some are 110? I changed the bulbs on a couple that werent working and they still didnt work. Of course could be a wire or fuse somewhere as well.

[careybirdwell]

I think its 24'. While we do have power in camp, Im not comfortable leaving it plugged in for months when Im not there. Any chance some lights are 12v and some are 110? I changed the bulbs on a couple that werent working and they still didnt work. Of course could be a wire or fuse somewhere as well.

The 120V light will have a household type of light bulb and the 12V will have a auto type of bulb

[Briar Friar]

Good thread and good luck CWendling. I can be of no service, just learning. Thanks for all those sharing.

I lived in a 1979 Prowler 8x20 ten years ago. Good times!

[Bisch]

Nevermind! Carey already is on it!

Bisch

[CWendling]

Ok, I dont think any of the small auto type bulb lights were working, only the regular bulb types. Would the converter work at all without a battery attached? If there is a battery (which i didnt check) im sure its dead.

[careybirdwell]

Ok, I dont think any of the small auto type bulb lights were working, only the regular bulb types. Would the converter work at all without a battery attached? If there is a battery (which i didnt check) im sure its dead.

Yes, and converter will work without a battery

[Mike Murphey]

I use my electric heater then place my thermostat 5 or so degrees less than what the electric heater is set for....that way the electric takes most of the load of heating but the furnace is a back up in case it gets colder in the night....most night furnace will not kick in...