-
Webasto use
I have a question about our Webasto. If I’ve run it in the past I’ve always had the generator on, or else on shore power. Coming home from the Prevost show we stop overnight in Mississippi and the nighttime temp went down to 35 degrees. As always I started the generator and went to sleep, but the next day started to think, could I have run the Webasto all night with out starting the generator.
I know each coach is different, how new are your batteries and what shape they are in, do you have 4D’s or 8D’s etc. But with the coolant circulating pump and blower fans running, along with the refrigerator and inverters running, can you make it through the night on just battery power?
Any insight is appreciated!
-
19 Replies
-
I think you touched on the important thing regarding this.. Battery capacity. Mine is a 96 Country Coach conversion and we regularly spend the night with Webasto, Fridge, and even festivities from the night before (TV, cooking, etc) without any regard to running the generator. I’m usually plugged back in or running down the road the next day after a battery night, but Ive never seen my batteries drop more than a few volts according to the meters so far. I say just watch your gauges and use it like its designed.
-
It’s trial and error Mark depending on battery capacity. So next time leave the gen off and get up about 3am and see where your at. My (6) 4D’s wouldn’t go the distance with Webasto running all night with all heat exchangers running, but I wouldn’t let it go lower than 24v.
-
Thanks John and Tom for the info. Tom that’s how mine is set up as well, 6 4D’s. I was questioning if it would make it all night and thought I would ask. Sounds like my generator will continue getting some exercise, a little diesel is cheaper than new batteries.
-
The Webasto in most coaches has a fairly large current draw. When it is in operation it is drawing current to run its internal pump / blower, ignition, circulating pump, and various heat exchanger fans. While each converter installation varies in the type of circulating pump, amount of heat exchangers and amp hours of the battery bank it is going to be tough to run the Webasto all night without pushing or draining the batteries.
With the inverters or engine off the fully charged batteries are at about 12.6 to 12.8 volts. At about 50% state of charge they will be around 12 to 12.2 volts, and like Tom I am not pushing my batteries below that point. For the small cost of running the generator, if I want heat or A/C I am running the generator.
-
I agree Jon, diesel is cheap and that’s why I’ve always started the generator. It just crossed my mind and I knew that some of you guys would have the answer. I thought the pump and fans would have a high draw, just didn’t know how much.
-
One of the reasons I’m going Lithium when my batteries time out is to double my amp-hrs and half my weight. But a significant benefit is to be able to dry camp overnight without concern with running the Webasto and other night time loads.
-
Why heat the whole bus when your in the bedroom. Why not cycle the electric toe kick heater in the bedroom off the inverter?
Later
bv
-
Bernie, these are luxury coaches and none of us wants our tender bodies to feel cool temps.
People spend thousands to go to FL southern CA and AZ so they don’t feel the cold.
-
None of my buses had kick heaters on the inverter circuit.
-
Don’t know driver, my 07 and the new one both have the front and bedroom on the inverters.
You sure? Did you ever try it?
Later
bv
-
Electric heaters are hard on the contractors in the inverter, I’ve had to send a few inverters in for repair when people plug electric heaters in to receptacles in coach that pass through the inverter, even if your not inverting it still passes through the inverter’s contractors, I wired in a receptacle in kitchen area that does not go through the inverter and 1 in bathroom also for hair dryers-heaters-toasters-coffee makers just to give inverter a break.
-
I don’t recall the kick heaters on the inverter circuit in my Marathon’s. I know Featherlite runs them through the inverters. Anyone with a early 2000 Marathon out there?
-
To emphasize what Art said, running any heavy loads through an inverter is hard on the inverter. That is especially true of A/C units with a heavy current draw on start up of a cycle.
Everything in the electrical system is worked especially hard if the electrical system is not unloaded before switching sources.
If you do run heavy loads through an inverter make certain the inverter internal fan is working, any external fans are working, and the interior of the inverter case is cleaned occasionally to remove dust, lint, dog hairs, etc.
-
Per Toms request, my galley toe kick will run on the inverter, the state room no bueno.
Forgot to try the one in the bathroom.
-
Thanks Dan, I stand corrected, that ole gear jammer in CA is correct. Guess I never tried them in either Marathon. Even if I could I wouldn’t, 10 AC amps overnight with all the other draws would have me on the generator well before morning.
Log in to reply.