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

Go Back   Sunline Coach Owner's Club > Model Specific Forums > Sunline Travel Trailers
Click Here to Login

Join Sunline Club Forums Today


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 05-31-2013, 08:35 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 13
SUN #4477
snappy is an unknown quantity at this point
battery questions

This past weekend we went dry camping in our 2007 t-2553. It was raining and cold (freeze warning), however a great learning experience. I do have questions that i hope can get answers from experienced campers. First plugged in the TV and it wouldn't work had a spare battery and inverter(600 watts), the DW was not impressed with my creation (but it worked) What do people do for TV or coffee without a generator. Next question do you plug in to a generator with normal 30 amp power cord or charge battery with battery charger directly? How many run 2 batteries on their campers. Any suggestions would be helpful for power and comfort.
__________________

__________________
snappy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2013, 06:23 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Poppy & Nana's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New York
Posts: 2,909
SUN #93
Poppy & Nana is an unknown quantity at this point
When we dry camp - we use two deep cell batteries - do not use coffee maker but perk coffee and we don't watch TV.

However with a genny, you can plug directly into the genny or use it to charge the batteries. We can get 4 to 5 days on the 2 batteries (conserving electricity) - we did have LED bulbs in the Sunline (not in the Dutchmen yet!). Sometime DH will just hook up the electric to the tow vehicle and let the batteries charge up that way!

Trust me - we camped last weekend in the rain and cold (frost on the windows in the am).....while we had an electric site last weekend -no TV was on, at least in our camper, we did a lot of card playing and socialising with friends!!!!
__________________

__________________
Kathy & Leo SUN 093
Central Adirondacks of New York
2013 Rubicon 2900 Toy Hauler
We loved our 2007 T-2499
2010 Ford F-350 4x4 Lariat Super Crew Dually Diesel
Poppy & Nana is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2013, 11:09 AM   #3
Member
 
PanamaRvers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 89
SUN #3522
PanamaRvers is an unknown quantity at this point
Another question somewhat relevant, we where dry camping last weekend as well. Does anybody run their furnace while dry camping. It seemed to drain the battery very fast. As a note, we only have one deep cycle battery.
__________________
Chuck & Amylynn Stafford
2008 Chevrolet Silverado
Blue Ox Hitch
2006 Sunline Solaris 2363
PanamaRvers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2013, 04:19 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Poppy & Nana's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New York
Posts: 2,909
SUN #93
Poppy & Nana is an unknown quantity at this point
We rund our furnace, but again we have 2 batteries, and we keep the temp on furnace low so it does not cycle on and off much!!!!
__________________
Kathy & Leo SUN 093
Central Adirondacks of New York
2013 Rubicon 2900 Toy Hauler
We loved our 2007 T-2499
2010 Ford F-350 4x4 Lariat Super Crew Dually Diesel
Poppy & Nana is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2013, 05:33 PM   #5
Moderator
 
JohnB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,643
SUN #89
JohnB is on a distinguished road
We have a old fashion perk coffee pot. I'm the coffeehaloic, Cindy could care less...she is a tea person... I even have filters that go in the peculator. This works well for when no power comes.

The TV, we do not watch TV when we have no power, I never made it to the inverter deal yet.

We do have 2, group 27 batteries and I converted to all LED's inside. Also a power miser and undo all the no use power drains, the radio, make sure the wall antenna booster is off, and only use lights as needed even though I can use 5 LEDs to one old normal 921 bulb.

The furnace, yes we use it, but we also winter camp and have added widow covers (shrink wrap) which really helps cut down on the heat loss. We also run it a little cooler when on battery only.

We have an upgraded power converter that will kick into boost mode on the genny almost immediately as where we boon dock the most only allows 5 hour run time split in 2 times a day for recharge.

That said, camping in day highs of 50 ish, nights at freezing, we have gone with now power 3 to 4 days and still where OK. While the furnace is a power hog, if you have standard lights, they can be as bad if not worse.
__________________
Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC

Google Custom Search For Sunline Owners Club
JohnB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2013, 08:11 AM   #6
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 13
SUN #4477
snappy is an unknown quantity at this point
Thanks for your imput. I talked to DW and LEDS are in the near future. First are the lights we use the most. She suggested looking into solar panels just to keep batteries charged and another battery. I prefer drip coffee (i know high maintenance) I boiled water on the stove then let it drip into the pot worked pretty well. Overall the weekend was great and huge learning adventure.
__________________
snappy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2013, 03:49 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,357
SUN #2097
mainah is an unknown quantity at this point
French press. And yes on two batteries dry camping in cold weather. Converter upgrade, LED's accumulator on the water system, and leave the inverter home. In the summer I have gone 7 days on my two batteries with out a recharge, pumping water (I have access to water but not power and I like a hot shower) running LED lights even my 100 watt ham radio and the stereo. My old lights (13 of the little buggers) if they were all on drew 320 watts all most 27 amps the LED's all on 24 watts or 2 amps! I never seem to run more then 4 at a time so the draw is like 6 watts. My next trick is going to be 120 watt solar panels lot cheaper then a Honda generator by about $800
__________________
mainah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2013, 09:59 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
OhhWell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 213
SUN #1879
OhhWell is an unknown quantity at this point
Mainah beat me with the French press suggestion. On the 2553, do you have the 12v receptacle near the TV location? It is usually on the plate with the antenna booster switch. Sometimes it is in the bedroom and in our most recent trailer, on the front wall by the couch for some odd reason.

Anyhow, I usually hook a small inverter to that with the cigarette lighter attachment and run an extension cord to whatever I need to power with a little bit of A/C. Down here, it is usually a few small fans to help with the heat when we dry camp. If you are up for it, you can install a large inverter by your power block and wire it through a cutoff switch to power your 120v stuff across the whole camper. You may want one heck of a battery bank if you do that though lol.
__________________
Current RV - 1999 Bounder 36s

Former trailers - '94 T-2770
'02 t-2753
'08 Keystone Sprinter 299BHSS
OhhWell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2013, 11:26 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,357
SUN #2097
mainah is an unknown quantity at this point
What I did for ac power was to put my inverter/charger on it's own breaker I then made a 12 volt extension cord that plugs into my battery bank with a 50 amp connector I stuff the inverter into the side compartment and plug the camper power cord into it. I turn off the charger and have power on all the outlets. The same cord also powers my ham radio so it gets double duty.
__________________
mainah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2013, 03:10 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 162
SUN #1591
GKLarson is an unknown quantity at this point
Mainah
I got a potable solar system last Winter to keep my batteries charged while long term boondocking. Am well pleased w/ purchase but paid lots (lots) more than the approx $200 you implied you will spend ($1k Honda 2000 gen. minus $800= $200+/-)
Mind sharing your source for that 120W system ? Thanx
__________________

Glen & Kathleen
06 4.7L Tundra
06 T-1950, our 6 months/yr traveling home
one of numerous canoes
GKLarson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2013, 06:52 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
pwb01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 945
SUN #258
pwb01 is an unknown quantity at this point
Furnace: You'll kill 2 batteries in 40 degree weather in 24 hours so you'll need a means to charge them. I use a genny for 2 hours a day.

TV: I have a 13" 12v with built in DVD (Supersonic on Amazon $125).

Charging: I plug the camper in the genny and let the unit's chaging system do the work. I do have LED's and conserve power.
__________________
Paul & Sheri - Upstate New York - SUN-0258
Amateur Radio KD2KCY - VHF 146.520 MHz
2012 F150 F/X 4, 6cyl EcoBoost, Max Tow pkg
2013 Rockwood 8280WS 5th wheel
2006 Sunline Solaris T-1950
pwb01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2013, 05:12 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,357
SUN #2097
mainah is an unknown quantity at this point
Quote:
Originally Posted by GKLarson View Post
Mainah
I got a potable solar system last Winter to keep my batteries charged while long term boondocking. Am well pleased w/ purchase but paid lots (lots) more than the approx $200 you implied you will spend ($1k Honda 2000 gen. minus $800= $200+/-)
Mind sharing your source for that 120W system ? Thanx
Well I just ordered a 100 watt system yesterday from Amazon (my wife is an Amazon junky and has prime shipping so no shipping fee) for 209.99. It is not a manufactured portable it's a single 100 watt panel that is small enough to live in the camper it comes with a controller and connectors. I am building an aluminum frame that will both will tilt and turn. There will be a volt meter mounted on the frame work that connects to the panel so I can watch it as I adjust the elevation and azimuth that will give me max output hopefully more then I really need. Amazon.com: Eco Solar Kit 100W: 1 Pc 100w Solar Panels+MC4 ADAPTOR KIT+PWM 10A Charge Controller: Patio, Lawn & Garden
__________________
mainah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2013, 07:20 PM   #13
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 13
SUN #4477
snappy is an unknown quantity at this point
Does anyone use a cpat machine at night? Any ideas on how to use during dry camping?
__________________
snappy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2013, 07:45 PM   #14
Moderator
 
JohnB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,643
SUN #89
JohnB is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by snappy View Post
Does anyone use a cpat machine at night? Any ideas on how to use during dry camping?
There are a few members who do and they boondock most all the time. I know they have 2 batteries and a genny setup. I camped next to them a few years ago. Don't know what cpat unit they have or how the inverter setup is. Hopefully they will see your note.

If not, find the power tag on the unit and tell us the rating of amps and volts or watts and volts it runs on. We may be able to back into some options how to power it.
__________________
Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC

Google Custom Search For Sunline Owners Club
JohnB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2013, 07:52 AM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,357
SUN #2097
mainah is an unknown quantity at this point
Most co. sell a DC cable for them my sister has one and she has a DC cable. I think they have heaters so they probably draw a fair amount of power it would be a good ideal to check the label to see how long you can run it with out a recharge.
__________________
mainah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2013, 08:10 PM   #16
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 13
SUN #4477
snappy is an unknown quantity at this point
Just checked the back of my machine and it does do 12 volt dc. That will be tomorrows project. We purchased our camper last fall and only have one battery. can I just add another battery or do i need to have 2 new ones? When you recharge with a genny does a battery charger do a better (quicker) job.
__________________
snappy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2013, 05:13 AM   #17
Senior Member
 
jim44646's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,125
SUN #4040
jim44646 is an unknown quantity at this point
They say an old battery will draw down a new battery to it's level. So it's better to replace both togeather.
__________________
Jim and DW Darlene
2001 T-2553 Sunline Solaris
2006 GMC Sierra Duramax 2500HD 4X4
Firestone Transforce AT tires
Reese Dual Cam Sway Control
jim44646 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-15-2013, 08:27 PM   #18
Moderator
 
JohnB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,643
SUN #89
JohnB is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by snappy View Post
Just checked the back of my machine and it does do 12 volt dc. That will be tomorrows project. We purchased our camper last fall and only have one battery. can I just add another battery or do i need to have 2 new ones? When you recharge with a genny does a battery charger do a better (quicker) job.
In this case, it is better to have 2 new batteries (same size too) all at the same time. Especially if one of the batteries is from the 2007 time frame when your camper was new. As Jim stated, the new one will be working trying to feed the old one drawing both of them down.

Now that said, you do not have to junk that older battery, just do not use it in conjunction with the 2 new ones. Some folks actually change batteries when dry camping and use them 1 at a time. Charge at home them swap the working one out and do not use a genny. However if you do not use this option, then you may trade the older one if you do not want it hanging around as if it is not on a battery maintainer it will eventuality die.

To the charging question, your 2007 converter I believe is already a 3 stage charger, just I do not know what brand. Some of the WFCO's had issues on a genny setup to kick into boost unless the batteries where drained pretty far down. While it still will charge normal, the boost was the issue. Unless you have a special standalone battery charger, the on board converter may charge better. I only state this as yours is a newer one. The older converter of years ago where not that great at battery charging.

Hope this helps

John

PS When you hook up your 2 new batteries, use this method. It will give you an advantage of a more equal draw and recharge of the 2 batteries.
__________________

__________________
Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC

Google Custom Search For Sunline Owners Club
JohnB is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
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


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Battery no battery mystery Drake Sunline Community 13 08-25-2019 06:22 PM
Battery bodatiouskid Repairs and Maintenance 21 03-03-2012 11:37 AM
Battery Maintenance Questions... thesteigers Repairs and Maintenance 8 11-05-2009 11:45 AM
Coach battery questions dkasten39828 Repairs and Maintenance 4 05-29-2009 06:41 AM
Battery rmstack Sunline Travel Trailers 5 07-31-2008 07:22 PM


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

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


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:47 AM.


×