waldreps
Moorhead, MN
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I am buying a Class A 1990 Itasca Sunflyer 31' motorhome. I would like to know about what appliances I can have running while we are driving down the road. I've heard a couple of different answers from friends. Can the propane water heater be running? Can the frig be running on propane or should it be on electric? Just want to get a definitive answer.
Thanks,
Stacy
1990 Itasca Sunflyer 31' Ford 460
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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Joined: 03/13/2007
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The hot water heater should not be on, it will most likly blow out the pilot and won't stay lit. The refrigerator most will leave it on gas but turn it off when refueling. Good luck and happy camping. Bill
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Bobbo
Memphis, TN
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Joined: 09/16/2007
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There is no need to run the water heater while driving. It heats up real fast. Just remember to turn it on when you arrive.
Bobbo, Linda and the furry kid (German Shepherd)
'07 Winnebago Outlook 31C on a Ford E450 Super Duty Chassis
NRA Life Member
Near N35 12 17 W89 50 57
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YZCHARLIE
Mission Viejo, CA USA
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It's also OK to run the generator, AC and micro if needed.
Chuck & Jayne Williamson
18' Terry TT pulled by Dodge 1/2 ton pick up.
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waldreps
Moorhead, MN
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Ok, I'm gonna show my newbieness here...sorry. What would be the need in running the generator while driving down the road? Aren't you getting enough power from the motorhome's engine to power everything? Sorry for my ignorance.
Thanks,
Stacy
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didi
new jersey usa
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mostly for running the ac units, if you are in need of a 110v circuit.
2003 Airstream Land Yacht 30'
See More. Do More. Live More.
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Ramblin_Mo
Mid-Missouri
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waldreps wrote:Ok, I'm gonna show my newbieness here...sorry. What would be the need in running the generator while driving down the road? Aren't you getting enough power from the motorhome's engine to power everything? Sorry for my ignorance.
Thanks,
Stacy
Not for the coach AC, microwave or refrigerator. The engine electrical output is going to run dash AC fan, lights and some output is going to charge up your coach batteries.
Your alternator on the engine is putting out a fraction of the power needed to start and run your rooftop AC.
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Ramblin_Mo
Mid-Missouri
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I wish I knew who I swiped this from on the forum. What runs on what power source.
house battery (DC coach power):
DC 12 volt sockets
All the internal and external lighting.
The TV antenna amplifier.
The fresh water pump.
LP gas detector.
The controls and fan for the furnace/AC.
The controls for the refrigerator.
All the exhaust fans.
Maybe the in dash radio/CD player but it may run off the vehicle battery.
I believe the starter motor for the generator but that may be on the
vehicle battery too.
Here are the things that run on AC power:
The compressor for the air conditioning.
The microwave oven.
The heater for the refrigerator.
All the internal and external AC outlets.
Here are the things that run on propane:
The stove.
The hot water heater.
The heat for the furnace.
The heater for the refrigerator.
Finally here is how things are typically inter-related:
AC shore power will also drive a power converter that provides DC coach
power and battery charging for the house battery. Your coach battery won't
run down as long as you have shore power.
When the vehicle's engine is running the alternator that charges the
vehicle battery will also charge the coach battery. There may be a switch
you can activate that allows the coach battery to crank the vehicle engine
in an emergency.
If you don't have AC shore power available the generator will do anything
that AC shore power can do.
In a gasoline powered MH the fuel for the generator comes from the
vehicle's gasoline tank. In a Diesel powered MH the generator might be a
Diesel unit that runs from the vehicle fuel tank or it might be a propane
unit that runs from the propane tank. Generators that are powered from the
vehicle fuel tank generally have a fuel pickup that will not allow the
generator to use vehicle fuel when the tank is below 1/4 full to prevent
you from stranding yourself by using all the vehicle fuel in the generator.
The refrigerator gets power for its heater from either AC power or propane
but it also requires DC power from the coach battery for its controller.
Some refrigerators can also get heater power from the coach battery but
since this drains the battery quickly it is uncommon. RV refrigerators do
not use "freon" and a compressor like home refrigerators. Instead they use
ammonia as the refrigerant and the circulation of the ammonia is driven by
a heater instead of a compressor. This is what allows them to run off
either propane or electrical power.
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waldreps
Moorhead, MN
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Wow, thanks for all the info. So, do most people leave their refrigerator set on auto or do they just switch it back and forth between electric and gas manually?
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nwrandski
Washington State
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We leave our refer on auto all the time.
As for generator while driving, great for running the AC units if its really hot outside and for microwave, coffee, or the crockpot if needed.
Tim & Cindy
2008 Holiday Ramber Admiral 35SFD
Enjoy our travels and meeting new people
Still working FT as a professional (both of us)
Former Army (7 Years) and Persian Gulf Veteran
See you out there!
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