bigalcal Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 I am thinking about upgrading the "Cutty Hut". I have an option to buy a newer. bigger version. My only concern is heating it. The "Cutty Hut" has an old catalytic heater and it works great. It only needs propane to operate. The newer RV has a HydroFlame heater and it needs electricity for the blower fan. I don't use the furnace that often but it can get pretty chilly in May and September/October overnight. Any suggestions besides a generator on how I can power the electric blower fan a few hours a night for a few nights, or any other suggestions for heating a 22' RV? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinglibin Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 You might consider a solar panel to keep a battery or batteries charged to power the fan and provide some light if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angler Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 Mr Bo: Don't think solar will be a viable options where you will be, as if I recall that is mostly in the trees.Furnace sucks a LOT of power. We switch to all LED for interior lights to reserve as much as possible for fan. Get two big deep cycle batteries and a small quiet generator and you'll have all the juice you need except when there's frost on the pumpkin. We also burn a propane lantern inside at night to save battery and provide a bit of heat - appropriate ventilation of course. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean84 Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 You shouldn't have a problem running it off one or two deep cycle batteries. And recharging with solar works well. I run my whole trailer off solar and batteries and have almost no need for the generator unless we are gone out for over a week with some bad weather. And we can run the furnace as well as tv radio and DVD player. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcleod52 Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 There has to be a joke about using good scotch to keep you warm ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reevesr1 Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 Al, I ran my solar when I was at Racehorse last summer. 2 deep cycle batteries, no problems. If I remember I was up to 100% charge by noon or so. Like Sean84, I've run my trailer off solar exclusively, I don't think it has ever been plugged in. Get the best solar you can afford would be my only caution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tungsten Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 2 group 27 deep cycles hooked together should last you 4 nights.My wife and I have done it many times,this includes 2 short showers and the wife is allways running water for dishes.We would run the furnace for about a half an hour before we went to bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalcal Posted May 1, 2014 Author Share Posted May 1, 2014 Can anyone suggest where I can buy a solar panel kit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tungsten Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Honda makes a nice solar panel, works in the dark and can play music all night. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteZahut Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 I struggled with this decision. I tested out one of those portable solar kits from Costco last year. Can't remember the size, probably around 50w or so. Did not work well. Tested it in the backyard too and found in full sun I was only getting around 3 amps at most. You don't get that at Dutch that's for sure. I tried to chase the sun a bit but barely put on a charge. If I was going to go solar I would get one or two 100w panels installed on the roof and connected up to the system. As far as I found, product and installation was $1000+ at least for that. Instead, I got a 2kw Yamaha gen at the RV show for the cost of a 1kw Honda. Hell of a deal. Al, I will make sure not to park by you at Dutch. Could be talked into giving you a charge if you need it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinglibin Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 A friend buys used larger RV solar panel from the RV stores for his trailer and cabin. You might talk to a dealer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weedy1 Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 I am thinking about upgrading the "Cutty Hut". I have an option to buy a newer. bigger version. My only concern is heating it. The "Cutty Hut" has an old catalytic heater and it works great. It only needs propane to operate. The newer RV has a HydroFlame heater and it needs electricity for the blower fan. I don't use the furnace that often but it can get pretty chilly in May and September/October overnight. Any suggestions besides a generator on how I can power the electric blower fan a few hours a night for a few nights, or any other suggestions for heating a 22' RV? Thanks http://www.powerspout.com/ or https://www.engineeringforchange.org/static/content/Energy/S00070/5%20Gallon%20Bucket%20Build%20Manual.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteZahut Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Or this http://www.rvcity.ab.ca/News/ID/9453/The_EFOY_fuel_cell_family.aspx?laststatus=pad&mrtype=pad&postback8274=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weedy1 Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Or this http://www.rvcity.ab.ca/News/ID/9453/The_EFOY_fuel_cell_family.aspx?laststatus=pad&mrtype=pad&postback8274=1 Great idea. I'm sure the fact it runs on methanol wouldn't make a bit of difference in the smell of The Cutty Hut. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dryfly Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 "Eco-Friendly Electricity in RVs" Nice ... I can feel the planet cooling as we speak. We need more cooling. No, wait ... (Just being a dork on a snowy Saturday morn. Not that I need more practice.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalcal Posted May 3, 2014 Author Share Posted May 3, 2014 That's why I got a new one!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walker1 Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Tough to beat a true deep cycle like a Trojan group 31. I just bought one for my fifth wheel and expensive at 240 smackers but .......... I think this would spin the fan a few nights for sure. 2 6 volt is series is the best. I am a bit spoiled with a Honda 3000 inverter but we travel a lot and I like the idea of boondocking anywhere! Always good deals on kijji. A honda 1000 would even chage your battery but I know you said you wanted to avoid the genny. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ÜberFly Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Al will these do anything for you?! http://www.costco.ca/auto-solar-power.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalcal Posted May 8, 2014 Author Share Posted May 8, 2014 Thanks.....but I have a line on some solar gear. Appreciate the thought! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalcal Posted June 5, 2014 Author Share Posted June 5, 2014 I have camped 5 days so far and my battery has been used for the occasional light and listening to the game on my stereo. I have had the furnace on briefly to see if it works. I still have lots of juice left. One of my neighbours has two deep cycle batteries and takes one home every week and recharges it and rotates them through. I'm going to try this as I have 2 batteries. Trial and error until I come to a solution that works for me. My site has good sun exposure so a solar panel might be in the works. There is a well reviewed 100 W solar kit on Amazon for $250 that I might go to from Sean84's suggestion. Has anybody installed there own system? People mount the panel then put the wires thru the refrigerator vent and into the RV and then to the battery(ies). If anybody has done this please let me know, Thanks for all your advice Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinglibin Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 So ?? How is the new hut?? Enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalcal Posted June 6, 2014 Author Share Posted June 6, 2014 Pretty luxurious in comparison!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonvilly Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Pretty windy down there at times, perhaps a small windmill of some type? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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