furnace

[Bigairh20]

Hi all, my wife and I are taking a quick overnight trip on Sunday, the rv is winterized...this is my very first ever trip in an rv...I am wondering how to operate the furnace...do I just power up the batteries, turn on the propane and set the temp....thanks

[A32Deuce]

Yep!

[Bigairh20]

awesome thanks...was hoping that it would be that easy....thanks

[A32Deuce]

Just filled mine with propane and gas and that's what I did when I got home. Leave Monday morning.

[abomb]

I'm not sure what thermostat you have. If it has the option make sure the fan is set to auto. First time I used mine it was set to low, and the fan kept blowing air nonstop even after the furnace kicked off.

[Flybob]

If this is a new RV, you will want to run the furnace at home with the windows open to burn off the contaminants that result from manufacturing. ( 30 mins or so). Also if the furnace has not been run for a while, Light to stove top to make sure propane line is purged. Be aware that it make take several tries to get it to fire is not used for a while. Don't forget to turn on the gas. Check the propane levels every few days. The furnace will use propane quicker than you think, If leaving the water system winterized ( water heater empty) make sure no one turns the water heater on.

[Evereddie]

Everything Flybob said AND, if you are running the furnace while only on battery power it will not run as long as you think or want. The fan takes a lot of battery pwer and some have reported 6 to 8 hours only. I have never used my furnace on battery so I don't know directly. So the big question is: will you have shore power or be using the battery? If you do have shore power most campers use an electric space heater so it doesn't eat up propane costs.

[Bigairh20]

We are planning to use the furnace while driving 6 hours to keep the back warm. While driving does the engine keep the batteries charged. And then when we park overnight we plan to use furnace. We can always run generator and run the overhead heat I guess instead or as well

[DougP47]

Have you ran the furnace yet? I have a friend went for his first cold weather trip. He found out the furnace didn't work that night. we tried to fix it over the phone with no success. He took it back to the dealer and they had to replaced the furnace. I would make sure it's working before I left if it was me.

[Evereddie]

Oh, you have a generator, you're good, no problem. And driving will keep the batteries charged. Have a good trip!

[MNtraveler]

You will only use the generator intermittently when needed to charge the batteries. Be aware of any "quiet time" limits where you are camping. The gennys are very loud even if enclosed.

To avoid turning on the water pump or water heater inadvertently, tape a sign over the switches of use blue painter tape to block them (such tape is easily removed.)

Don't run the batteries low. Charge at 50% or more to prevent damage. If you are winterized make sure everyone onboard and guests know it so people don't pour liquids down the drains or try to run your taps.

You mentioned overhead heat which I think means the heat pump. That will only work well down to around 45 depending on model. Below that it has to keep defrosting the coils during which time it blows cold air into the unit. Below some point (35?) it won't run at all. A better option if you have shore power (which would be needed for the heat pump) would be an electric space heater you can if in. Make sure it draws less than your main power line (say, 30 amps). Use extra safety precautions with a space heater for children, pets, towels, curtains, bed linens, wood and leather fixtures, to avoid a burn or a fire. If you have one you can set it to say 65 then set the propane furnace to say 60 as a backup in case of failure or in case the electric unit can't provide enough heat to maintain the desired temperature.

Then have fun!


Land of 10,000 Lakes
2016 Forester MBS 2401R

[Bigairh20]

Awesome and thanks all.