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Topic: Furnace Operation (Read 602 times) previous topic - next topic

Furnace Operation

In my 99 U 295 do either or both furnaces provide heat to the compartment where the water heater, water pump and plumbing manifold are located?  If only one, which one?  My front one is down awaiting repair or replacement and overnight temps are predicted to be around 20 degrees. Trying to figure out best protection plan for that compartment if back furnace does not serve it. Thanks for your advice.

David Spoor
San Antonio/Kerrville
1999 U 295
Jeep GC
David C Spoor
San Antonio and Kerrville, Texas
1999 U 295

Re: Furnace Operation

Reply #1 –
Plug in a small electric heater in the compartments of concern until you figure things out.  The West Marine Ceramic Cabin Heater are small and very powerful and easy to store for when you need them.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Furnace Operation

Reply #2 –
On most coaches the aft propane heater supplies heat to the utility/water/tank bays.  If, like us, you don't "winterize" then using the small electric heaters will work well to assist/supplement the propane heater.  I keep one at each end of the bay, with the thermostats set to come on around 50 degrees.  Gives the heaters a little "head start" before it gets below freezing.  We've handled extended cold spells down into the low teens with no problem.

I also run 2 or 3 small heaters inside the coach all winter.  I try to keep the inside air temps around 50 degrees (or above), to minimize the adverse effects of big temperature swings.

Our coach is plugged in to 50amp in our driveway.  I would rather use the electric heaters as my primary heat source, and save the propane heaters for emergency use (like when grid power goes down).  I keep the propane heaters turned "ON", with the thermostats set on the minimum setting (approximately 50 degrees).  As long as the electric heaters are functioning, we never need to use any propane.

I have found the heater below to be very reliable and not too noisy.  On the "LOW" heat setting (750 watts), it supposedly draws about 6-7 amps.

Comfort Zone Ceramic Heater - Walmart.com
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: Furnace Operation

Reply #3 –
Another idea..

For the past 2 years I have used two $12 hair dryers on a thermostically controlled outlet on low.

Last summer I bought a $2 hair dryer at a garage sale.. Temps get up to 70 when it's 10 outside

Oh.. I duck tape the water heater exhaust vent to keep the heat in AND over the switches !
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: Furnace Operation

Reply #4 –
On my 99 295 the rear furnace takes care of both wet bays. If you want to check there is a vent in the sewer bay, and a heater duct that comes down behind the fresh water pump on the manifold side.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Furnace Operation

Reply #5 –
Hot water heater ON often enough to keep the stuff from freezing too.
1998 U270 34'

Re: Furnace Operation

Reply #6 –
Quote from: fouroureye –
Oh.. I duck tape the water heater exhaust vent to keep the heat in AND over the switches !
Duck tape over the exhaust vent may cause a change in combustion and if the oxygen level drops, incomplete combustion that produces carbon monoxide. The normal heater exhaust will have a lower oxygen content and will contain a certain amount of CO so you don't want any in a living space. Anytime you see ANY yellow in the flame, CO is being produced. It's odorless and tasteless and reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen. Especially important to someone with a medical condition. High altitude compounds the problem. Even exposure to fresh air won't rid the blood of CO for many hours.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Furnace Operation

Reply #7 –
Pierce...

For winter storage.. ?
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: Furnace Operation

Reply #8 –
CO will rid your coach of rodents in winter storage. I missed the storage part. :)

Still think taping the water heater exhaust raises the fire danger and plastic hair dryers have a fire danger too plus not good for continuous duty. Small, metal heaters are made for this kind of environment.

The rear heater does a good job of keeping everything frost free below. Nice to have a backup in case the heater might fail in sub zero temps.

How about one of these metal heating panels? Available in several wattages: Tatco Energy-Saving 150 Watt Heating Panel Heater Metal Case 23w x 1d x 16h

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Furnace Operation

Reply #9 –

This is what I use in my Foretravel basement.

https://smile.amazon.com/Lasko-100-M...ds=200w+heater

Plugged into this

https://smile.amazon.com/Farm-Innova...rmocube+outlet

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss