How long do your batteries last while running a Suburban heater?

[Mike Stark]

How long do your 12v deep cycle batteries usually last while running a Suburban 20,000BTU heater? I have a 6x12plus V Ice Castle.

Thanks.

[JeffB]

At least 12 hours for 1 battery running lights and furnace for an 8x17 house for me. The lights are only used for about 4 hours a day. Depending on the temp outside sometime well over 24 hours. Although last time out I only got 6 hours out of my battery, but it probably didn't help that I slipped and dropped the battery on the ice cracking the case and having all the battery acid leak out.

[Mike Stark]

Thanks for the info JeffB.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

About 3 days. It all depends on the amp hours of the battery.

[Mike Stark]

Thanks.

Any recommendations on what battery to use?

[JeffB]

I just use what ever deep cycle my boat has for its trolling motor. Currently interstate deep cycle Lip ripper probably has a better estimate since I just bring a fresh battery most days I go fishing and swap out when I leave whether the battery is dead or not.

[Chad Holst]

If you need them to run longer, run 2 in parallel.

I believe you can get a 125 amp hours in a 27 group or 31 group battery. So you could get 2 off these and put them together. Just make sure you run them in parallel and not in series, or you will be making a 24v system.

Almost (you will lose alittle) 250 amp hours is alot.

We have done alot of figuring on our house build, and with all the lights on, the TV, the sat/receiver, and furnace on we would still get 18 hours before we needed to run the genny to recharge. We would never need all this on at once, but just to see..

32" LED TV (1.4 Amp)

Tailgater Sat and receiver (.75 amps)

8 independant LED hole lights. (.06 amps each)

3 LED area lights inside. (.2 amps each)

8 12 volt access points for a flasher (one at each hole)(calulated with 3 flashers being used)(.35 amp each)

1 LED bathroom light. (.2 amp)

2 x 16' LED strip lights (300 LEDs each)(1.2 amp Each)

2 outside LED Area lights. (.22 amps)

2 12 volt fans 4" (.16amp/each)

1 12 volt ceiling fan 32" (1.2 amp)

1 20,000 BTU furnace (4 amp)

(caluculated with 2 phones charging on a 110 charger off inverter)(.15 amp draw each)

We obviously would never need all of this running at one time, or would, but just to see what it pulled for amp per hour, we were at 13.14 amps per hour. That would mean we could run everything in the house, plus 3 flashers off the main 12 v batt, plus charge 2 phones and the battery (2) would last 19 hours. 14 hours if we only discharged them to 25%.

That doesnt seem too bad really, for all the junk we could be running.

To answer the OP question: it will draw about 4 amp hours, based on what im finding on the net. so in theory, you should get 31.25 hours on a deep cell 125 amp hour batt. Now, cold weather, etc, will effect this, but, i would guess you should be able to make it a weekend. Because the heater fan obviously isnt running 24/7. Im sure your running other things besides the heater though.

[Mike Stark]

Im sure your running other things besides the heater though.

The house is set up so I can run two batteries at the same time. One for the heater and one for the 12v lights.

Thanks for the info.