Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-03-2014, 01:03 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: OKC
Posts: 403
One weekend boondock

Sorry if there is another thread on this that I missed. I'm using our TT for the first time without shore power and I have no generator or solar, etc. (i do have a second battery i could pack along....)

My main need for electricity on this trip would be to run the heat over night. night time temps will be in the high 30's to mid 40's, daytime in the lower to mid 60s. I have no concept of how long the stock battery (less than 1 year old) will operate the heater blower.

Anyone ever tried this? I'm wondering if i'll make it through the night, or two nights.? I will occasionally use the water pump. Maybe a couple LED lights.

Thank you for sharing your experience/knowledge.
__________________
2016 Road Warrior 355
2015 Ram 3500 Cummins SRW 4x4 MegaCab ShortBed
2011 F150 ecoboost - Traded
2015 Jayflight 28 BHBE (sold)
2009 Jayflight 26 BH (sold)
hboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2014, 01:17 PM   #2
Site Team
 
WVDusty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Charleston
Posts: 1,714
My FIL will get about a day and a 1/2 out of one battery using it only at night for heat and a couple of lights. If you have a second battery I would take it just in case its needed. Hope this helps you.
__________________
Can't find what you're looking on JOF? Try:Jayco Owners Forum Custom Google Search

TV 2005 Ram 3500 CC LB SRW Cummins POWER
2014 Jayco Jayflight 32BHDS Prodigy P3 brake controller.Reese dual cam 1400/14000
WVDusty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2014, 01:57 PM   #3
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 85
If you set the furnace a bit high you might not even make 1 night.
Its just great being woken up at 5 in the morning with the propane alarm beeping cause the battery is flat.
rodandmir is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2014, 02:57 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Jagiven's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,740
It could be difficult. But two nights, two batteries, it could be doable. On a 2015, I would assume you have LED lights. Turn off the lights when and where they are not needed. We tend to carry a few candles so light one or two for general lighting. If you have a central switch for the general ceiling lights, turn it on, then walk around the TT and turn off the lights at each light fixture, then only turn on the lights you need where you are at, then turn them off when you are done. This is very important if you are using incandescent light bulbs. It will save a lot of power. Also if you have incandescent lights, take one bulb out of the double light fixtures, again this will save a lot of power.

When we are boondocking, and we have no generator, I will turn the furnace on at night before going to bed, to get the temp up to a nice comfortable setting. When I go to bed, I turn it off. In the morning I turn on the furnace again, and get the temp back up to a nice level, then turn it off again. We have in the middle of the night when getting up to use the bathroom, turn on the heat for a few minutes, to take the some of the chill out of the air, but remember to turn it off. We have done this for 3-4 nights without much of an issue.

In a pinch you can plug your TV into the TT and run the TV for an hour or two to put some charge back into the battery. It is not the best method to recharge your battery but it will work in a pinch. Also bring spare blackest and a few light jackets/sweaters, and layer up.
__________________

2012 Jayco X23B
2020 Ram Laramie 3500 SRW Air ride 50Gal fuel tank.
2007 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab (sold)
Equal-I-zer 4-Point Sway Control
Jagiven is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2014, 01:32 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
troutslayer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NW AR (God's Country)
Posts: 2,051
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jagiven View Post
When we are boondocking, and we have no generator, I will turn the furnace on at night before going to bed, to get the temp up to a nice comfortable setting. When I go to bed, I turn it off. In the morning I turn on the furnace again, and get the temp back up to a nice level, then turn it off again.
I think this is good advice. Chances are your stock battery is a group 24 and if that is the case, I would suspect you will only be able to go one night (with the above advice). You probably should take the extra, charged up battery, as a back-up. I'm guessing you will probably need it. You don't want to run your batteries beyond a 50% discharge rate or you run the risk of damaging them.
__________________
Skip

2012 Eagle Super Lite HT 26.5RKS
2005 GMC 2500 SLT HD D/A
troutslayer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2014, 04:20 PM   #6
Site Team
 
Mustang65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL area
Posts: 5,196
Quote:
Originally Posted by troutslayer View Post
You don't want to run your batteries beyond a 50% discharge rate or you run the risk of damaging them.
Just to clarify the 50%, that is when the battery is discharged to around the 12VDC level. You could go lower, but it will have an effect on the life of your battery.

Don
__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 284BHS
2012 Ford F150XLT, EcoBoost w/3.73,Max Tow Pkg.
Our Solar Album https://www.jaycoowners.com/album.php?albumid=329
Mustang65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2014, 05:33 PM   #7
Lost in the Woods
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: N/A
Posts: 567
Just an idea. Sometimes at my house we have used our gas stove/oven during power outages for some heat. Anyone try this in their RV for some boondocking heat? It might at least take the chill out of the air and wouldn't use any power.
wwsmith111 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2014, 10:36 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Central California
Posts: 2,283
Quote:
Originally Posted by wwsmith111 View Post
Just an idea. Sometimes at my house we have used our gas stove/oven during power outages for some heat. Anyone try this in their RV for some boondocking heat? It might at least take the chill out of the air and wouldn't use any power.
This is a very dangerous idea, especially in an RV, do to the carbon monoxide being introduced.

We have sheep around here, and the herders stay with the flock in small TT. It seems every couple years one dies from CO poisoning from heating their TT this way.
__________________
2020 Ram 1500 5.7L
2007 Chevy Duramax LMM/Allison (Sold)
2012 Jay Flight 29QBH (Sold)
2012 Jay Flight 26BH (Sold)
clubhouse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2014, 12:28 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Skaling's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Langley (Vancouver)
Posts: 396
Quote:
Originally Posted by wwsmith111 View Post
Just an idea. Sometimes at my house we have used our gas stove/oven during power outages for some heat. Anyone try this in their RV for some boondocking heat? It might at least take the chill out of the air and wouldn't use any power.
Bad idea. I work for the gas utility company up here in BC and respond to gas emergency calls including CO calls.. Some people dead, some extremely sick from CO..
__________________
TT: 2015 Jayco Jayflight 26BH Elite
TV: 2014 Ram 1500 Sport, 5.7 HEMI 3.21, Firestone 1000# air suspension. WD hitch w/800# bars
SOLD: 2012 Jayco J-series 1007
Skaling is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2014, 12:40 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Posts: 193
When camping, we have used the old fashioned hot water bottles. Heat water in a kettle or pan on the stovetop and then fill the bottles. They stay warm for a long time when under the covers. Our best bet, however, is Homer the beagle and it almost the only good use we have found for him. Homer is one HOT dog, and even cat lovers will snuggle up to him on a cold campout.
__________________
Steve and Kathleen
Homer the Beagle
2019 Acura MDX - 2017 Greyhawk
Dual 6V Deep Cycle Interstate Batteries
giddyup is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2014, 07:01 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Upperco, Md.
Posts: 807
Quote:
Originally Posted by giddyup View Post
When camping, we have used the old fashioned hot water bottles. Heat water in a kettle or pan on the stovetop and then fill the bottles. They stay warm for a long time when under the covers. Our best bet, however, is Homer the beagle and it almost the only good use we have found for him. Homer is one HOT dog, and even cat lovers will snuggle up to him on a cold campout.
Everyone should have a "Homer"
Ela1948 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2014, 07:06 AM   #12
Lost in the Woods
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: N/A
Posts: 567
Quote:
Originally Posted by clubhouse View Post
This is a very dangerous idea, especially in an RV, do to the carbon monoxide being introduced.

We have sheep around here, and the herders stay with the flock in small TT. It seems every couple years one dies from CO poisoning from heating their TT this way.
Good point! Now I'm afraid to heat up my Ramen Noodles...
wwsmith111 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2014, 09:18 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: OKC
Posts: 403
Thanks everyone!
__________________
2016 Road Warrior 355
2015 Ram 3500 Cummins SRW 4x4 MegaCab ShortBed
2011 F150 ecoboost - Traded
2015 Jayflight 28 BHBE (sold)
2009 Jayflight 26 BH (sold)
hboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2014, 09:30 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Central California
Posts: 2,283
Quote:
Originally Posted by wwsmith111 View Post
Good point! Now I'm afraid to heat up my Ramen Noodles...
Ramen noodles are dangerous and contribute to premature death for whole differnt set of reasons -- but I do enjoy a big bowl of ramen on a cold day. :-)
__________________
2020 Ram 1500 5.7L
2007 Chevy Duramax LMM/Allison (Sold)
2012 Jay Flight 29QBH (Sold)
2012 Jay Flight 26BH (Sold)
clubhouse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2014, 12:54 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,588
Since CO is heavier than air, would the draw from the overhead range fan be enough to essentially vacuum up the CO gasses while using the oven/burners?
SkyBound is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2014, 02:09 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Skaling's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Langley (Vancouver)
Posts: 396
Under normal circumstances, CO is actually slightly lighter than air, so with normal cooking on your stove and in your oven any products of incomplete combustion(CO) would be exhausted with your hood fan.
__________________
TT: 2015 Jayco Jayflight 26BH Elite
TV: 2014 Ram 1500 Sport, 5.7 HEMI 3.21, Firestone 1000# air suspension. WD hitch w/800# bars
SOLD: 2012 Jayco J-series 1007
Skaling is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2014, 12:23 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
troutslayer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NW AR (God's Country)
Posts: 2,051
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skaling View Post
Under normal circumstances, CO is actually slightly lighter than air, so with normal cooking on your stove and in your oven any products of incomplete combustion(CO) would be exhausted with your hood fan.
provided you have the outside vent unlatched
__________________
Skip

2012 Eagle Super Lite HT 26.5RKS
2005 GMC 2500 SLT HD D/A
troutslayer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2014, 04:58 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: OKC
Posts: 403
Update on the Weekend:

This was actually a Football tailgate weekend. I ended up bringing an extra battery and used some jumper cables to wire the batteries in parallel. Only had to run the heater before bed and early morning. No shortage of power for the weekend.

Thanks for all your input!
__________________
2016 Road Warrior 355
2015 Ram 3500 Cummins SRW 4x4 MegaCab ShortBed
2011 F150 ecoboost - Traded
2015 Jayflight 28 BHBE (sold)
2009 Jayflight 26 BH (sold)
hboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2015, 07:37 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
kjohn73's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SE Sask.
Posts: 246
My old Suburban has two batteries, even though it is a gas job. When I used it as a TV, i would isolate the second battery when I parked, and didn't have to worry if I ran the two TT batteries and the primary TV battery down. Our new Ford F150 has only one battery, but doesn't supply juice to the trailer when the key is off, so I guess it is "isolated" when boondocking as well.
__________________
2012 Jay Feather 197 w/pull-out
1997 GMC Sub 1500 4x4;
or 2015 Ford F150 4x4 SuperCrew EB
kjohn73 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2015, 09:53 AM   #20
Senior Member
 
Hattie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 721
Quote:
Originally Posted by rodandmir View Post
If you set the furnace a bit high you might not even make 1 night.
Its just great being woken up at 5 in the morning with the propane alarm beeping cause the battery is flat.
ABSOLUTELY - nothing worse than that alarm! On our 3rd shakedown trip we were beach boondocking ~ the nights were into the 40s and very damp, so we ran the furnace at 65. At 5am the alarm blasted - the dog launched onto the bed (claws extended), I launched myself out the door barefoot and in my PJs, and DH had to focus and troubleshoot while still half-asleep. Of course, we couldn't brew coffee and the place was freezing so we just packed-up and headed home! That one miserable experience propelled us into purchasing (2) generators. SO ... it is HIGHLY suggested you borrow or rent a generator 'just in case' and run it during the day to charge-up.
__________________
Hattie
"I just go where I'm towed to"

Genealogy Community Social Group Moderator
__________________________________
2015 White Hawk 25BHS w/Outdoor Kitchen
2015 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD Z71/4x4 Duramax
Son's 2016 Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCrew 4x4 + gifted 1984 Coleman Sequoia Tent Trailer
Hattie is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:20 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.