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Batteries

Started by Fuzzymike, Aug 09, 2004, 11:47 AM

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Fuzzymike

What's the best battery for a pop up. We have a coleman Niagra 04. Want to use it for minimal use of the furnace for the cold nights. Any thoughts?

Mike and Lisa

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deniski

First of all, you need a deep cycle battery, not just a starting battery.   Group 24 or 27 is what most people use.

My experience is that you really can't run your furnace much if you are just running it off the battery.  You can can run it in the evening while you are up and about, but if you are trying to run it all night long, you will use up your battery fast.  I've run mine completely out when it was cold (less than 40 F).  We just turn it off at night and use lots of covers/sleeping bags.  

So I guess you need as big a battery as you can afford AND FIT on your popup if you plan to use the furnace much.

Of course... I have an old popup and furnace that are probably not as efficient as the new ones you have!!!

garym053

We have a 105 AmpHour Deep Cycle Battery on our camper. We are pretty conservative using lights, perfering battery powered reading lights or table lanterns.
It's been a pretty COOL summer up here and the furnace has been used more this summer than in the previous 4 combined! Anyway, our battery will last fine for two nights of pretty heavy furnace use. I doubt that it would make it through 3 nights though!

labontefan

I have a Group 24 on my Coleman Utah. We've used it to run the furnace for up to 3 nights with temps in the 40s. Actually ran out of propane before the battery ran down!

Of course, I do have a generator that we usually run for a couple of hours during the day so the battery gets a little bit of a recharge during that time.

Also, we keep the thermostat set pretty low (upper 50's to around 60)--mostly just enought to take the chill off & then throw on an extra blanket or comforter (still pretty comfortable sleeping).

We did run the battery down back in May, but we were camping for about 10 days and the generator died early in the trip. I bought a Group 27 to use for the rest of the trip, and am going to take it along as a spare since we usually camp without hookups (camp mostly at racetracks).

Fuzzymike

Thanks for all your help.  Have to get a battery soon.  Love to get a small generator too soon.