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rv:idling [2022/06/03 14:47] frater_secessus [heating and cooling] |
rv:idling [2023/10/01 19:29] (current) frater_secessus [harm reduction] |
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====== Idling the camper ====== | ====== Idling the camper ====== | ||
+ | ===== charging ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Idling to charge is [[electrical: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Alternators are typically only ~50% efficient. | ||
+ | |||
+ | - the alternator spins fast enough that its own cooling blades become effective, and | ||
+ | - the alternator is running at its most efficient RPM((~6, | ||
+ | - airflow from the forward motion of the vehicle helps remove heat from underhood | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==== harm reduction ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Assuming people are going to do it anyhow, here are some steps to reduce changes of a Bad Outcome: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * open the hood to allow excess underhood heat to escape. | ||
+ | * point the vehicle' | ||
+ | * watch for red flags | ||
+ | * hot smells | ||
+ | * belt squealing | ||
+ | * engine RPM dropping significantly | ||
+ | * chassis voltage falling from normal levels (14.1v, or whatever you observe without charging) | ||
+ | * charger reporting less current than usual, if applicable | ||
===== heating and cooling ===== | ===== heating and cooling ===== | ||
- | The most common reason people give for wanting to idle all night is to run the heater or air conditioner. | + | The most common reason people give for wanting to idle all night is to run the heater or air conditioner. |
+ | > Idling for one hour every day for one year is equivalent to 64,000 miles of engine wear. -- [[https:// | ||
+ | > Idling accelerates engine wear and tear creating a need for more regular maintenance and an increase in the number of oil changes. -- [[https:// | ||
+ | > Because the engine is not operating at its optimal temperature when idling, fuel is only partially combusted, leading to fuel residue buildup on the cylinder walls. This can further damage engine components, including spark plugs and exhaust systems, increasing maintenance costs and shortening the life of the engine. -- [[https:// | ||
- | In the long term it is more practical to heat with [[hvac: | ||
+ | In addition, | ||
- | ===== charging ===== | + | * idling can result in CO poisoning |
+ | * Direct-injected gasoline engines can be [[electrical: | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | In the long term it is more practical to **heat** with [[hvac: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Air conditioning will require [[electrical: | ||
- | In addition to the problems listed above, idling to charge is [[electrical: | ||