Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Greg, I don't know what the current draw of the heat pump is. Per the Blue Sky documentation the 3000i "displays Battery Voltage continuously if the 3000i is in a Charge Off state, or alternates between Battery Voltage & Output Charge Current if the 3000i is charging the battery." Is the converter on (check the circuit breaker in the Power Center)?

Hi Greg,

I think you’ll be OK with outside temps in the mid-20 degree range for a few days with the furnace and heat pump on.  You may wish to drain the exterior shower (if you have one) and hot water heater (assuming you’re not using it).  Also, as I’m sure you’ve done, leave the interior water pump / water tank access panel off to allow interior heating to keep the water system warm.

I’ve run my AC/HP from a 20Amp source but I understand it is not advisable.  As for the coach battery voltage, that does seem low given that you are parked outdoors, ie; your shore power plus solar panels should keep your voltage at or above 14 volts during the day.  Perhaps your batteries are on their way out?  I’m sure others will have more specific advice on these electrical questions.

It would also be advisable to watch the actual line voltage during A/C-heatpump operation.  It's a pretty good current draw and depending on wiring length, etc., you could risk low line voltage during operation (which is not good for the unit).

Hi Greg;  The BlueSky monitor is only the solar controller and is hooked to the battery. It doesn't need access to 110V, and doesen't. You can get a Kill-O-Watt meter to monitor voltage (and frequency when you are on generator)  A Digital Volt Meter or DVM is a usefull tool many times, many places. Carry a good one around. With it you can measure incoming volts.
   Why use the overhead heat pump at all?  When you wear it out, it will cost  over a $1000 for a new one. The cheap little box heater is under $70, and easy to replace. Running all night will keep the insides warm.  Amazon.com: Comfort Glow BDISC6 Original Brown Box Ceramic Disc Heater 5,200...
  Batteries produce electrons by way of a chemical reaction.  The speed of chemical reaction is affected by temperature. At 20 degrees at night, 12.1 volts is ok. I'll bet when things warm up, about 3 in the afternoon, the voltage will be higher.  I don't like the Parallax converters. I believe they don't compensate for low temperatures. The SB3000i has a temperature sensor, but I'm pretty sure it just lowers current if your batteries overheat. I don't think either of those sources compensate for low temperatures.
   A small amount of water in your holding tanks, if it does freeze, shouldn't hurt the tanks. You could just dump gray water on the ground.  Black water might not freeze at 20 degrees.  (molal depression point) 
   People usually don't complain about their residential refrigerators cycling on and off at night, or their space heaters at home.  Those fans in the LD power center are performing properly, protecting internal components from overheating. They also indicate that the converter is on and operating, providing 12 volts to the coach, and trying to charge your batteries.  RonB

Art, I did purchase this surge protector from the previous owner which I used at the park in Texas. Will this monitor line voltage also? I am not sure how to hook it up at my house 120V set up, though.

"The little electric heater I'm using now is having trouble keeping up so I'll take a look at the one you referenced."

For what it's worth, I found that in my midbath, two electric heaters running on low or medium setting, one at each end of the rig,  do a better job than one heater running on high. You get better overall heat distribution that way.

I use the cheap heaters that are available for fifteen or twenty bucks, such as this Black and Decker model. (I haven't used this particular one, but have used others of this type.) Any resistance heater is by definition 100% efficient at converting electricity to heat, so choosing one is a matter of price, features, and convenience. I learned to avoid the type with a small, dense block in the middle, as those clog rapidly with limit and pet hair and are very difficult to clean (see photo). A simple coil of resistance wire works as well as anything, in my experience, and is easy to blow clean.

Art, I did purchase this surge protector from the previous owner which I used at the park in Texas. Will this monitor line voltage also? I am not sure how to hook it up at my house 120V set up, though.

"I can detach my toad and drive around with the surge protector and check several of the spots I like best."

Or you could use a $14 pocket outlet checker. :-)

Just to follow up on my earlier posts about using the heat pump while plugged into the house. I was able to run it with no Ill effects and very little voltage drop.  The EMS/Surge Protecter showed 117V at it’s lowest but I only ran the pump for about 10 minutes.

I’m still concerned about the voltage the Bluesky unit is showing after a sunny day and being plugged in, 12.3 volts at 8pm this evening. Hoping my batteries are not going bad after less than 4 years.