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Topic: Wintertime & Heat: How many batteries are in a tank of propane? (Read 448 times) previous topic - next topic

Wintertime & Heat: How many batteries are in a tank of propane?

Thought this was interesting. When boondocking, I have always used a portable Mr. Heater for my heat.

"a single 20 lb. tank of propane has as much energy equivalent as one hundred 100Ah batteries."

https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-electricity-jam-batteries-compared-to-tank-of-propane-rvdt-1971/
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Wintertime & Heat: How many batteries are in a tank of propane?

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Dakota Slim –
Thought this was interesting. When boondocking, I have always used a portable Mr. Heater for my heat.

"a single 20 lb. tank of propane has as much energy equivalent as one hundred 100Ah batteries."

https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-electricity-jam-batteries-compared-to-tank-of-propane-rvdt-1971/

I'm an electrician by trade, I understand and appreciate the advantages of electric appliances. However I would never convert our coach to all electric, we like to boondock and seldom stay at RV parks with hookups. Propane allows us to do that without expensive battery, solar and inverter upgrades.

To each his own and I glad it works out for some RV'ers. Just not for us.

Thanks for posting this comparison, interesting........
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Wintertime & Heat: How many batteries are in a tank of propane?

Reply #2 –
Electricity and propane are both needed for our camping style. We would also fit a wood stove but not enough room. Diesel water and space heater are onboard but not connected yet.

I had a small stainless diesel heater on my boat with a hand pump pressure tank. 10 seconds of pumping every few hours. No electricity, just heat. Sure wish I had that now.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Wintertime & Heat: How many batteries are in a tank of propane?

Reply #3 –
Those with a 320 and a 194 gallon fuel tank = 7900 kwh (40.7kwh/gallon x 194 gallons)

I use 6-8 kwh of electricity a day which comes from solar. That's almost 1000 days of power from the generator if the generator were 100% efficient.

Solar is quiet and I don't have to do anything to turn it on or off. The sun does that for me. 194 gallons of fuel is currently about $1000. Solar setup and batteries were around $9000.  Is it worth it? I don't know, but it is nice to have solar energy available.
1999 U320 WTFE #5586
2014 Subaru Forester 6sp
4000 watts of solar
650 aH @ 24v

Re: Wintertime & Heat: How many batteries are in a tank of propane?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Zach –


I use 6-8 kwh of electricity a day which comes from solar. That's almost 1000 days of power from the generator if the generator were 100% efficient.


Sorry but I don't understand where you got these figures for your generator hours. 

That would be less than one hour a day of genset use at 10KW.
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Wintertime & Heat: How many batteries are in a tank of propane?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: FourTravelers –
Sorry but I don't understand where you got these figures for your generator hours. 

That would be less than one hour a day of genset use at 10KW.

If I'm only using 6-8 kwh of power per day, I only need to run the generator long enough to achieve 6-8 kwh. My batteries only have so much capacity and running it any longer would be pointless. So, one hour per day for 1000 days, though the generator would only provide 3000 watts-ish to the inverter to charge the batteries at peak power.
1999 U320 WTFE #5586
2014 Subaru Forester 6sp
4000 watts of solar
650 aH @ 24v