Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: 94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters (Read 533 times) previous topic - next topic

94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters

Happy winter

This is our first winter in our 1994 Grand Villa U300 4000 ( Dorothy) as we will be wintering in her at the farm in North Texas this year.

 We are blessed to have a new propane heater in the front and the heater in the rear works well, this week I will be taking the rear unit apart and cleaning it, the fan bearing makes a screeching noise every once and awhile so I need to tend to that. I understand that my propane heater blows into the wet bay but we do not want to leave anything to chance.

Jana and I have purchased a couple small 9x11 1500 heaters to put at each end of the wet bay. Something we have experienced this far is the bathroom gfi tripping which seems to shutoff all the outside plugs, and most of the interior plugs ( all kitchen plugs the plug in the front under the dash) it doesn't affect the plugs next to the bed. What I am wondering is how to supply power to the wet bay for the heaters since my outside plugs seem to be tied into the kitchen gfi.

Hope everyone has a stellar Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years and blessings are poured out to you all.


Happy Foretraveling
Brett and Jana

1994 Grand Villa U300 SE, 4000 WTB (Dorothy)
DDC 6v92TA, Allison 5 speed
toad- 2004 Saturn Vue

Re: 94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters

Reply #1 –

I use two of these without a problem, no tripped breakers:

Amazon.com: Lasko MyHeat Personal Mini Space Heater for Home with Single...

The howling you describe on your furnace blower may be a sign to replace the fan motor.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: 94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters

Reply #2 –
Lubing the furnace fan motor with a light viscosity non-detergent oil (like sewing machine oil) will extend the life of the fan bearings (actually bushings). Likely not as permanent as replacing the motor.

Just place a few drops on either side of the motor on the shaft and let the oil wick in. I use a long screwdriver to apply one drop at a time to the shafts.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: 94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters

Reply #3 –
Easy quick solution: Extension cord--one end from a power source other than the coach and the other end right to the heaters. Works every time.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: 94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters

Reply #4 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
I use a long screwdriver to apply one drop at a time to the shafts.
Another means to the same end:
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: 94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters

Reply #5 –
Another fan of 200 watt personal heaters. I have remote temperature sensors and they show very adequate temperature with 200 watts. I would think 1500 watts is a bit much for such a small space.

I spend part of winter in Albuquerque and prefer propane heaters for freezing temps with small personal heaters as my fail safe on well pump thermostat plugs. Disconnect water hose and dump hoses below 32F and button up to keep your wet bay good and warm. I also use an insulated plug (blocks opening with notch for electrical cord) so the shore line connection doesn't let too much heat out. Lived in North Texas 40 years. However, during the 2021 Texas freeze out we booked it to Galveston. Should have gone to Louisiana where they have a more stable electrical grid.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: 94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters

Reply #6 –
Might be worthwhile trying to track down the reason for the bathroom GFI tripping?  Could be a sign of a serious electrical glitch, or might just be a "weak" GFI that would benefit from replacement.

Link to a previous thread wherein we discussed using small electric heaters in lieu of winterizing with the pink stuff:

FREEZE WARNING! ( or, how cold is too cold?)
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: 94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters

Reply #7 –
At least 4 200-watt heaters strategically placed in different bay spaces will keep bay areas warm. Control the on/off of these heaters from within the living area as opening bay doors to manage them will create heat loss.

You would not be the first one to replace the single GFCI with a regular outlet. Put a large piece of Reflectix just inside each bay door, edges folded in, to keep the heat in. Use several remote thermometers to know critical area temps without opening bay doors. All single pane windows may freeze up inside without air being blown across them. Keep all inside cabinet doors open to help prevent moisture from people causing humidity from building up inside walls. Head south as these are not the best vehicles to live in during freezing temps. Propane may deplete quicker, so have a plan to refill. Prepare to use generator in case shore power is lost, as the coach will cool down fast without heat sources. Fill fuel tank to top to reduce water accumulation in tank from daily cycle of warm & cold temps, and to have generator backup plan.  Be sure engine & generator cooling systems have proper antifreeze

Good luck, not much room for problems, and very cold winters.

Re: 94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters

Reply #8 –
We have radiant heat barriers (bubble wrap with foil on both sides available in 4' wide rolls) cut for all the windows, slots in tight and close the blinds, leaving the bedroom ones and the front window ones in full time when we are on board and closing off all the windows and the door when we leave or at night. Equally a sheet of it for the skylight and lining the kitchen fan cover (tray) with a piece glued in. An insulated pad in the bathroom vent that can be removed to use the fan.
This really makes a big difference.
I have also re insulated the engine compartment  and as much of the front cap behind the cabinets.
My next project will be the storage compartment doors.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-48-in-x-125-ft-Double-Reflective-Insulation-Radiant-Barrier-48X125DBLRFL/319738988?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-CM-CML-GGL-D22-022_004_INSULATION-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-4035567-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-Pmax-CL3TestA&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-CM-CML-GGL-D22-022_004_INSULATION-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-4035567-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-Pmax-CL3TestA-71700000103694443--&gbraid=0AAAAADq61Udw0nPTO_f3zUK5bxvroM98T&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhfipBhCqARIsAH9msbmanZ-ItE0vBKbo57benBI92ZIrQJURcCfWIsFLI7r31IRDKWn324IaAjUIEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!

Re: 94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters

Reply #9 –
Think very carefully about fire prevention when using heaters.  I mounted mine on the ceiling of the bay pointing down at a 45 and tested them for hours of running to make sure nothing got too hot. 
I also use a Thermo Cube as a thermostat: Thermo Cube
My experience is one 200 watt heater on the water pump side and one on the drivers side is more than adequate.
The smallest volume of water will freeze first; that means the water pump.
I placed a remote thermometer right next to the pump (get one with a programable alarm).  Nice to be able to see how the heater is doing without going outside and opening the door.  I also find I sleep better after seeing the bay temp is doing OK.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: 94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters

Reply #10 –
I use the thermo cube also with the same heaters. Works great!
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: 94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters

Reply #11 –
A small fan to circulate the air and keep the heat from stratifying up by the ceiling will make a tremendous difference in heating requirements.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: 94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters

Reply #12 –
Small heaters acquired as well as another thermocube. I am glad some of you mentioned it. I am either going to show my age ( 50) or how linear I think sometimes. We use thermocubes on heaters around our farm quite regularly, the thought had not crossed my mind  in regards to heating the wet bays.

In regards to the GFI, I changed last week, and oddly enough the hot and common were reversed on it. This morning I was making breakfast. The only thing running was the front heater and the Gaggeneau stove and it tripped again. I have checked every outlet that runs off that gfi and they all test good as does the wiring, wlell no faults or voltage drop in any of the outlets that pull of that gfi.

Ordered oil for the motor.

Thank you all for sharing your wisdom and experience
Be blessed
Brett and Jana
1994 Grand Villa U300 SE, 4000 WTB (Dorothy)
DDC 6v92TA, Allison 5 speed
toad- 2004 Saturn Vue

Re: 94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters

Reply #13 –
Quote from: BrettandJana –
Ordered oil for the motor.

What oil did you order-- your engine requires a pretty unique oil?
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: 94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters

Reply #14 –
GFCI outlet can trip when all circuits look good.

Every device that does not have a positive on/off switch and has a touch button to turn on/off, like TV's and other appliances, never stop using power when off, as the circuit board in the device is "looking" for the ON request.

Circuit boards use small components that can fail by leaking miniscule power to ground, yet still safely function. GFCI incorrectly assumes ALL power leaked to ground is going through a person and trips.

The only way to isolate a problematic device is to temporarily UNPLUG it. Foretravel usually has several (many) outlets daisy-chained off one GFCI, located above dash, next to dash, in bay, etc. Important to document which outlets are on the GFCI.

BTW, it has been determined that some inverter chargers will not work on GFCI outlets, that can be a problem when whole coach is plugged into a 20-amp GFCI outlet. Campgrounds are usually not required to GFCI 30-amp pedestal outlet for same reason. Also 50-amp 240-volt outlets will not work on GFCI because the two hot wires share a single common wire. GFCI has its place, but may be problematic in RVs, especially as they age.

Re: 94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters

Reply #15 –
Wolfe10- it is for the blower motor for my rear propane heater per your recommendation. Between your recommendation and Chuck's I combined the two. Thank you guys.

In regards to the oil, yes. Delo 100 only. I was a diesel mechanic in the Army and cut my teeth on the DD 2 strokes. Our 6v92 was maintained well and I continue to do the same. This winter I get to redo all my uppipe joints and install new clamps.

Barry, thank you for taking the time to compose such a stellar response.  The cooktop striker is on that circuit, and was about the only thing I think I had not unplugged when I checked the circuits. But the issue is so intermittent I don't know if I was cooking last time it happened. At our farm, the power we have back here for the Coach is a single dedicated 200amp service with a new transformer at the pole. This is the only thing we have on this service. Our front barn pulls off that run to the main pole and that barn is another 200 amp service.

Our coach had a 24 month old Xanrex Freedom 248 inverter that the previous owners installed.






1994 Grand Villa U300 SE, 4000 WTB (Dorothy)
DDC 6v92TA, Allison 5 speed
toad- 2004 Saturn Vue
 

Re: 94 GV power for supplemental wet bay heaters

Reply #16 –
RE GFCI: the GFCI's are daisy chained, so one plug (receptacle) controls the power to everything down line. You could split out the circuit using new receptacles that do not have the power running through the receptacle but are connected to the feed wire using a tail, so every receptacle or a smaller group of receptacles has its own GFCI. That way a tripped GFCI would only cut the power at that  power point and the rest of the circuit would remain live.
Having said that all moisture prone areas should have GFCI protection.
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!