Rental RV power without the generator?

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 3:17 pm

Yes, another RV question! Woohoo!

I've rented RV's in the past but I can't remember if the RV was able to provide any power without the generator being on (via the battery to power, say, my camp lights). Anybody know?

Dustdevil · Post by **Dustdevil** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 4:24 pm

Every RV I have had experience with has at least two batteries. Often times three. One battery is dedicated to the engine. The other battery(s) run the living area. When you are driving the alternator will charge all the batteries. When you are stop the coach batteries are usually isolated. This prevents a "no start" situation if you run the batteries down. The genny will also charge the coach batteries.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 6:34 pm

I live in a 5th wheel. It has two batteries that stay charged while in a park by an inverter. They charge off the truck while being towed. They charge off the generator while at(unimproved) camp grond. There two lighting systems. One 12 volts. One 110volts. The stove is gas. The frig Is 12volt 110volt & gas. Most Rv's are set up this way at the factory. I do not take my Rv to BM. Cleanig the van is bad enough.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 6:52 pm

So, in theory, I should be able to run some lights for the camp and a drill press off the cab battery (hm...maybe I should go get the battery out of that piece of shit RV I bought, too...). And, in theory, if the battery runs down, I should be able to charge it again by running the genny. Right? Or is the voltage wrong? I don't remember seeing power outlets in the RV cab. Should it have them?

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 7:58 pm

The cab batery should be the batt. for the Rv's motor.Youshuld not run this battery down The best way to run a drill press s off an inverter. That is while you not hooked up the 110volts. DO you have two batteries some where else in the Rv body? These batteries are for lghts inside your RV. If you wish to run adrill press you may want to run it right off the gennie. Or if you want to you can run a outside inverter hook to the storage/house batteries.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 9:06 pm

unjonharley wrote:The cab batery should be the batt. for the Rv's motor.Youshuld not run this battery down The best way to run a drill press s off an inverter. That is while you not hooked up the 110volts. DO you have two batteries some where else in the Rv body? These batteries are for lghts inside your RV. If you wish to run adrill press you may want to run it right off the gennie. Or if you want to you can run a outside inverter hook to the storage/house batteries.

The interior lights are run on the starter battery? Really? That sounds odd. I'd think the cab lights would be run off the generator battery.

ANYWAY, I do have another RV in storage and I could borrow that battery and just find someone to charge it for me (unless I could connect the batteries in parallel or something).... I'm so retarded about this stuff.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 9:12 pm

and a drill press off the cab battery

Don't know about the drill press. Maybe if you're talking about a dremel tool. Otherwise it sounds like you need a generator. Not knowing the specifics of your setup I can't really say.

binahkitty · Post by **binahkitty** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 9:19 pm

From what I know those batteries only last 10 - 12 hours each......and I don't know if you want to run your RV engine to charge them......We got a generator...noisy and cheap, but we are building a sound proof box for it (once someone on here tells us how) (;

just some help hopefully (:::

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 9:36 pm

binahkitty wrote:From what I know those batteries only last 10 - 12 hours each......and I don't know if you want to run your RV engine to charge them......We got a generator...noisy and cheap, but we are building a sound proof box for it (once someone on here tells us how) (;

just some help hopefully (:::

~
Two sheets Of plywood tck enough to stand b it's self Cut in half makes 4 sides. The one I saw that worked had sofa pillows along the top of the plywood

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 9:42 pm

unjonharley wrote:
binahkitty wrote:From what I know those batteries only last 10 - 12 hours each......and I don't know if you want to run your RV engine to charge them......We got a generator...noisy and cheap, but we are building a sound proof box for it (once someone on here tells us how) (;

just some help hopefully (:::

~
Two sheets Of plywood tck enough to stand b it's self Cut in half makes 4 sides. The one I saw that worked had sofa pillows along the top of the plywood

Funny, I was concerned about the RV generator's noise (since deciding to rent instead of buy a quiet generator) and I did a search and found your plywood/pillow advice. I think I'll think about this stuff tomorrow...

Dustdevil · Post by **Dustdevil** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:57 pm

Most of the gennys in RV's are Onans. While they use large engines, the speed they turn at is 1/2 of that of many smaller engines. They are usually equipped with large mufflers and they are within the confines of the RV outer walls. Most are really not that obnoxious.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 6:28 am

Dustdevil wrote:Most of the gennys in RV's are Onans. While they use large engines, the speed they turn at is 1/2 of that of many smaller engines. They are usually equipped with large mufflers and they are within the confines of the RV outer walls. Most are really not that obnoxious.

~
still, a sound board/half sheet ply wood two feet away from the side of the Rv helps. Add some old sofa cushions and do the job up right.

safetythird · Post by **safetythird** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 9:19 am

Just a few things I learned from my RV throughout the last year.

My RV has 3 batteries. 1 for the chassis (motor) and 2 for the coach. The coach batteries power internal 12v lights when there is no other power source. The chassis battery only powers the motor.

To get 110v out of my 2 12v batteries I use an inverter hooked directly up to the batteries (always use an appropriate sized fuse). If I want to run something that draws alot of current, like the ac, microwave, coffee maker (yes, they use an insane amount of juice) then I have to run the generator. I imagine you'll have to do the same to power a drill press. I have several 110v outlets inside the coach and 1 outside. They are only activated when the genset is on or hooked up to shore power. Mine is an older RV so newer ones may be configured differently.

Be careful "loaning out" access to your inverter power. Xmas lights (unless led) start to draw a considerable amount of juice when you get to stringing them together. You can discharge your coach batteries pretty quickly with out realizing it. Don't discharge below 75-80% of the batteries capacity.

If you discharge deep enough and often enough you will fry your batteries. Yes, even so called deep cycle batteries. I have to replace mine, AGAIN, after a guest left a 12v bedroom light on and completely discharged the batteries. Consider 6v golf cart batteries wired in series to give you 12v. More amp hours and more tolerance for discharges.

Battery Charging:
In my case I have a little solar panel that keeps my batteries topped up. When I do need to recharge I usually use the chassis alternator to do the charging. Charging from the genset takes longer. The genset also puts out ac that must be converted to dc then stored in the battery. If I'm going to be runnning the genset for a couple hours anyways then I just the genset charge them up. If not then I'll run the engine at moderate rpm for awhile.

I have a switchable isolator that I can change from the drivers seat. When on the road I let the alternator keep all batteries juiced up and then isolate the batts when I turn off the engine. I can use the isolator to jump start the engine off of the coach batteries in case of a dead chassis battery or use the chassis battery to start the genset in the event of dead coach batteries (Like I have now). Just keep them isolated when there is no incoming power or you may drain all of the and be really screwed.

My Onan genset is still pretty loud. I'm thinking of a way to run a couple Honda EUs to give me a 30amp circuit that I can plug the RV into next year.

Anyways, good luck!

S3

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 8:11 pm

I worked in a zero sound room for awhile. The foam was like large ice cicles on the walls, ceilig and floor. (we walked on rubber grates). The added surface from the ice cicles is more absorbant than a flat one Sooo how about those egg cartan bed foams for your gennie? Lots of surface per square foot.

.
ps Those rooms can make you crazy. When there were no transmitions coming in you hear"nothing" I may be a little nuts but I weave a mean basket.