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Old 11-07-2016, 01:13 PM   #1
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not ready to winterize, can I run the furnace?

Dealer says yes.. Im plugged into the house with an adapter.. In short, we have 1 or two days where the temperature is suppsed to be at freezing or a degree lower in the early morning hours followed by temps in the upper 50s, low 60's. Im prepared to winterize and have everything to do so, but Hate to do it now, when we are planning for a possible camping trip in 8 days or so and just want to get past one cold night or two.
So maybe just putting the furnace on 55 or so would be sufficient?
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Old 11-07-2016, 01:21 PM   #2
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I don't see any issue with running the furnace like that. i put mine on if it is going to be colder than 30 degrees for more than 1 night and i do that until our last trip at Thanksgiving so for about a month we have to gamble. i could just winterize but i hate to do that twice a yr. Anyway i have done this for the past 4 yrs and haven't had any issues.
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Old 11-07-2016, 04:12 PM   #3
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I don't see any issue with running the furnace like that. i put mine on if it is going to be colder than 30 degrees for more than 1 night and i do that until our last trip at Thanksgiving so for about a month we have to gamble. i could just winterize but i hate to do that twice a yr. Anyway i have done this for the past 4 yrs and haven't had any issues.
Good to know, so no issues running it of the household current? I didn't think there would be, all its doing is spinning a little motor.. the heats coming from the gas. Thanks for replying!
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Old 11-07-2016, 04:23 PM   #4
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It will be just fine to do that.

Point to consider...(even though what you described isn't really 'cold' for a long time)
Depending on your model check that your furnace heats up the basement where the water lines run. If you do not have a basement model, you might want to open any cabinet doors to allow heat from the furnace to migrate there.

Personally, I do not worry about heating the rig unless the temps are going to get below about 28º and stay there for more than 12-14 hours. Just because it goes to 28º at night doesn't mean it immediately goes to that temp inside your camper. As long as the temps come back up above freezing during the day, no problems.
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Old 11-07-2016, 04:28 PM   #5
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Good to know, so no issues running it of the household current? I didn't think there would be, all its doing is spinning a little motor.. the heats coming from the gas. Thanks for replying!
The power for the furnace motor comes from the 12v battery.
Your converter supplies the current to keep the battery charged when plugged in to 120v. Household current and an adapter (to plug in your 30/50 amp shore cord) along with a 15 amp rated extension cord (if needed) will do just fine to keep the converter happily charging the battery and the furnace running.
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Old 11-07-2016, 06:14 PM   #6
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I run my furnace and I don't winterize. Well I put the pink stuff in the ice maker and close off that line. We camp every month, we live in the southern part of NC


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Old 11-08-2016, 01:38 PM   #7
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I'm keeping my MH plugged in at home with night time temps dropping down into the 20's. Daytime temps are still in the 50's- 60's. I want to travel in it for Thansgiving to the relatives and then winterize after that. I leave a small heater with a thermastat on at night, open the sink cabinets, put foamcore boards in the windows and foam pillow inserts in the skylights. I put a heavy thick blanket between the coach and cab as the cab area releases the most cold air. I also use reflextic on the windshield and side windows.
I add antifreeze to the plumbing drains and toilet along with using my tank heaters.
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Old 11-08-2016, 03:55 PM   #8
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We camp year round. I usually keep my furnace set at 40 degrees. It keeps things from freezing and the camper is always ready to hit the road.

Note, I live in Middle Georgia, so your mileage may vary!
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Old 11-08-2016, 08:31 PM   #9
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running furnace.

If you are plugged in at home, why not use a electric space heater and save the propane.
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Old 11-08-2016, 08:44 PM   #10
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If you are plugged in at home, why not use a electric space heater and save the propane.
X2
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Old 11-08-2016, 09:22 PM   #11
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X2
X3

I use a couple of them... and if it is really cold... set the furnace thermostat to a low temperature just as a precaution
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Old 11-09-2016, 12:33 AM   #12
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I use a compact space heater that has a thermostat -
making it very energy efficient.
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Old 11-09-2016, 08:51 AM   #13
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I have a cheap air compressor from HF and takes 5 minutes to blow out my lines to winterize...very easy especially if you have a drain valve on you hot water heater. No need for rv antifreeze.
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