Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Yes you "Could" - but I would not recommend it.
I had to once, when my dash air heater was not working, because of a plugged heater line to the dash heat and defrost. But only for enough time to get the front windshield defogged, then I put it away. (I have a water filter on the heater core water line, and it was plugged).
I think I was running the generator, not the inverter. If your furnace will not work, then I suggest that you use the generator when running such a large load.
It is really tough on the alternator to put that many amps out for a while.
Good Luck!
Fred.
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UltraKen
Ohio
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Joined: 06/05/2007
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Spikester wrote:A lot of folks run their furnace when traveling in real cold weather. I have always been lucky in that my dash heat does a pretty good job of keeping the coach warm when traveling in cold weather, especially if you start out in the morning with it nice an toasty.
If you have AC's that operate as Heat Pumps, run your Generator and one of your heat pumps to heat the back of the coach.
Of course if he has a generator he can use the electric heater as a supplement without affecting his batteries.
UltraKen
Ex -1968 Ultra Van
NOW - 1996 Safari Sahara 35' - Cat 300 - Model 3530
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2396883070036776819PnWVFp
Toad: Dodge Grand Caravan on Tow Dolly or 1981 Vespa on utility trailer
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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Joined: 06/22/2009
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If you set the heater thermostat to cycle on and off, you should not have any problem with your alternator. That way it would not be drawing 1500 watts 100% of the time and the cycles should give your alternator time to catch up and to cool off. Your alternator should be able to handle the full load it was designed for without any problems, especially with the low temperature of the cooling air circulating thru the engine compartment. It will cause some additional drag on your engine, and it will lower your fuel mileage, but I doubt if it will be enough to notice. It will be less than the amount of fuel you would use with your generator and probably less than the propane used with the furnace as well as the 12 volts used by the furnace fan.
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tspoon1
Mission, TX
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Joined: 11/12/2009
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Run your generator if you are going to support that kind of load. Much more efficient and alteranator will last longer.
Tom, Carole & Duke
Potter County PA (God's Country)
09' Phaeton 42'QRH, Suzuki SX4 Toad
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ILVMYGT
Pacific Northwest
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Joined: 06/03/2006
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If you are planning to use the alternator to charge the house batteries means the chassis and house batteries banks are tied together when the engine is running. Depending how that is done (e.g., relay) if the alternator can’t keep up both battery banks will discharge. If the voltage drops low enough you could end up in a situation you can’t start the engine.
2000 Country Coach Magna
CAT 385HP Allison 6sp
1998 Saturn SW2
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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Joined: 06/22/2009
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If the inverter is using 125 amps with the 1500 watt load, and the alternator is putting out a maximum of 160 amps, the batteries will not discharge if the voltage regulator and isolator are working properly. The alternator will be supplying most of the amperage capacity needed, not the batteries.
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Clieb
Carlsbad, NM
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Joined: 10/10/2006
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Another consideration is that the furnace keeps the basement warm. Without the furnace running you run the risk of your water pump and lines freezing.
An RV'r is someone driving a $300,000.00 Motorhome pulling a $40,000.00 car and looking for a free place to park.
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bigB42
montana
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Joined: 10/19/2007
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if its very cold out 1500 watts won,t heat a very large area. i,ve tried a few including the very expensive room type ken
ken
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tropical36
Southwest Florida_USA
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Joined: 07/11/2004
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We have three small electric heaters....forward, center and aft. We've only used them so far when parked at night up north, but they will perform just as well running on the generator if we ever need them while underway.
"We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey."
1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Model 6350, with a tag axle and one slide, on a 1997 P32 Chevy chassis....7.4 Vortec Engine
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wolfe10
Texas
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Joined: 10/08/2000
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The efficiency of burning gasoline (or diesel) to power a generator to power a resistance heater is SUBSTANTIALLY POORER than running a propane powered furnace.
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
Caterpillar RV Engine Owner's Club: www.catrvclub.org
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