Running 110v heater thru inverter while driving..

[Endoftheroad]

Hello clever people,
Is there any reason why I can't run a 110v heater in the camper part of my truck while driving thru my Magnum 2000 watt inverter/charger. I have 2 8d 12v batteries, but I assume it's as simple as how much leftover power is available after truck needs, thru the alternator . How do you calculate this, or what could I get away with.?
I know this is a bit ghetto, but why not ?
Install a relay connected to ignition to avoid running heater when truck is not running..
Thanks!

 

[Tazman]

Most ac heaters draw huge amps. I have a high output alternator and if I turn on the heater, it really puts strain on the alternator and slows down the Rams from the engine. There is a better solution.

 

[Endoftheroad]

Ok , I know there are better solutions, and some sort of 'bus heater' is in the works for next winter. Right now I only have a Dickenson propane furnace , which I can only use stationary. What sort of amp/watt draw could I run while driving without taxing the system? Even a small oil radiator ticking over would keep things from being frozen solid when I arrive somewhere and put on propane furnace. As a temp solution, can I run anything for heat? I'm sure an electric blanket, but....

 

[Endoftheroad]

... The truck is an 2004 FG..

 

[gait]

1kW heater takes about 75 amps at 13 volts.

My Aus FG649 alternator seems to manage about 45-50 amps to house battery when stationary. I don't know what the spec is.

In Aus alternator gets hot when operated at limit. Possibly not a problem in Vancouver winter but it will be stressed.

Any solar? (for the little bit of northern hemisphere high latitiude winter ....)

 

[pugslyyy]

Hello clever people,
Is there any reason why I can't run a 110v heater in the camper part of my truck while driving thru my Magnum 2000 watt inverter/charger. I have 2 8d 12v batteries, but I assume it's as simple as how much leftover power is available after truck needs, thru the alternator . How do you calculate this, or what could I get away with.?
I know this is a bit ghetto, but why not ?
Install a relay connected to ignition to avoid running heater when truck is not running..
Thanks!

I would look for a 12V heater - HF sells them, also truck stops. It won't do much but depending on how well insulated your camper is might help.

 

[IdaSHO]

It really depends on what you need the heater to do.

I use a small 300watt 12v heater in my camper when on the road to keep the water system from freezing, and to keep the camper cabin a bit above freezing during serious winter travels.

Even in temps below zero it is plenty to keep the camper above freezing, and keeps the water, WATER

Our camper is very pretty well insulated, with insulated dual pane windows as well. The small heater draws 25amps or so, and is installed under the sink.

Its nothing more than the 300watt truck heaters you find at truck stops. Cheap and chinese made, but it works well.



We just completed 2 weeks on the road, with 3 nights in a row dipping beyond 10 below zero (F) and highs during the day below 20 degrees.

We cannot run the propane furnace while on the road, so the small 12v electric heater is pretty important.

The 12V electric blanket for the bunk is nice too :ylsmoke:

 

[SkiFreak]

I assume it's as simple as how much leftover power is available after truck needs, thru the alternator . How do you calculate this, or what could I get away with.?

A question that has not been asked... what's your budget for a workable heating solution?

 

[Goldanfish]

Why not use a Diesel hot air heater, it can be used when travelling or stationary, they are very economical to run ,highly recommend them.
John.

 

[Endoftheroad]

Thanks for the responses!
For a long term solution(next winter), I'll add either a coolant powered 'bus heater' or a diesel forced air system. I'm leaving from Vancouver Island for Baja in about a week, and new systems that take more than half an hr to install are not in the cards
Currently when I arrive after a long winter drive, it's like a meat locker. Frosty. Water system purged this time of year, 20l containers. I'm just looking for any easy heat I can get to raise temperature above ambient, so my propane furnace gets it comfortable quicker. I hadn't thought of 12v heater , but in short term, may make sense at a disposable price point. Sounds like maybe I could run up to a 400-500 watt unit without taxing the alternator. I'm fully spray insulated, but range only r7-r10. Anything will help.

Oh, and solar input this time of year , at this latitude is kinda useless. At high noon on a sunny day, the sun is shining in your eyes on the horizon. Solar will work by the time I get to Mex

 

[gait]

if my maths is correct ..... 50 litres of water cooling from 70 deg C to 20 deg C loses 3 kWh of heat. Depends on the container how fast. Wrap insulation round sides but not top? Roughly the equivalent of running a 300w 12v heater for 10 hours.

Depends where you are stopping (shore power available) to reheat the water. Maybe some water heating off the propane furnace?

A bit like a storage heater using water instead of bricks.