I was out this past weekend to Eastern Oregon, in 87 Westy with Tiico
conversion with 2500 miles. Lows at night were 15 to 20. One morning, in
order to start melting the frost off the windows, I started her up, and
let her idle for 30 minutes or so, with heaters going, then turned her
off after the windows were clear and interior warm.

An hour later, when we were ready to go, the battery was dead. A push
start was needed. Clearly the alternator at idle rate was not charging
the battery while running the heaters (front and rear).

Is this normal? Advice to keep charged up when idling?

Thanks,

Steve Firebaugh