Community Forums

Greg from Pittsburgh · 09-25-2009, 10:06 AM

I was using my furnace on a recent trip and noticed two things, 1) there is a annoying ticking noise coming from the exhaust vent on the outside of the MH, and 2) there is an incredible amount of heat coming out of that vent. Has anyone replaced their furnace for a more efficient and quieter model and if so, what make and model, Btu's did you use? My furnace does not have an exterior access door, it appears that the only way to get to it is under the refrigerator.

Renipladlo · 09-25-2009, 10:27 AM

What about basement access through one of the storage bays?

mythplaced · 09-25-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg from Pittsburgh

...... there is an incredible amount of heat coming out of that vent. Has anyone replaced their furnace for a more efficient and quieter model and if so, what make and model, Btu's did you use? ...

I hear ya! They send nore heat outside than inside, these have got to be the most innefficient furnaces on the planet!

I thought about a larger furnace, but ended up added a "T" to the gas line and plumbed hidden fittings in the floor in the bedroom and the living/kitchen area.. I use portable CAT heaters (9000 btu with remote) in these areas. (bought on clearance for $50 apiece)

Now the furnace rarely comes on and the inside gets nice and warm, even in the coldest mountain night!

Greg from Pittsburgh · 09-25-2009, 07:16 PM

Thanks Mike,
You wouldn't know what model heaters you use by chance? It sounds like a pretty good solution, I wonder if anyone else uses catalytic heaters in their coach.

mythplaced · 09-25-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg from Pittsburgh

Thanks Mike,
You wouldn't know what model heaters you use by chance? It sounds like a pretty good solution, I wonder if anyone else uses catalytic heaters in their coach.

Olympian in the big room and a small coleman in the bedroom. we have only used the big one so far

mythplaced · 09-25-2009, 08:39 PM

here is a good how to article

RV NOW: Catalytic Heater

EngineerMike · 09-26-2009, 09:43 AM

This portable catalytic heater isn't vented, but it stores out of the way someplace in the summer. You could easily do floor-taps for propane line extensions that coil into a closet when not in use in lieu of the small propane cans.

I like the idea in the article of adding a portable battery operated CO detector for more than just the reasons stated. Redundancy on safety checks when using a potentially dangerous device like this can't be a bad thing. That would make 3 safeties- the coach CO detector, the handheld CO detector, and the built-in "oxygen depletion" sensor on the cheap, probably Chinese assembled, heater that supposedly shuts off the heater if it gets toward the range where CO production would begin.

Waking up dead from CO poisoning is on my list of things to put off till later. Now if I could only find that list...

mythplaced · 09-26-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EngineerMike

...
Waking up dead from CO poisoning ...

Mike,

I think that that is impossible...

I don't believe that anyone in the history of human beings has "woke up dead"

And I resent the concept of "Colorado Poisoning"...

Although that is what happened when DW and I moved here in 2002.

johnwr · 09-26-2009, 10:25 AM

Don't know of any alternative furnaces, but I'll second the use of a catalytic heater. We installed an Olympian before we spent a couple of months in Newfoundland (Provincial Parks without power where running a furnace would run the house batteries down quickly). You do have to leave a window open for about 12 in sq for fresh air, but we never noticed any loss of heat from that. I did add an interior propane connection with a quick disconnect for propane and a shutoff valve for that at the quick disconnect (for safety) that allowed us to store the heater easily. One thing to consider is that if you don't run the furnace you won't have heat in the holding tank and storage areas if it's really cold out. You could supplement the catalytic heating with the furnace if that's a factor just to keep the basement from freezing. I couldn't be happier with the Olympian we have (Wave 6).

A hidden benefit of using the catalytic heater is it probably only uses 5-10% of the propane that the furnace uses, maybe even less.

two sailors · 10-03-2009, 09:24 AM

Propane furnace;
It was explained to me that the furnace is 80% efficient. If one were to make the output duct as small as the outside exhaust it would probably melt the metal fittings. I quit complaining. I hope to insulate around the furnace to eliminate some of the noise.

Rick Coleman · 10-04-2009, 10:10 AM

I insulated around the furnace and it reduced the noise substantially. It's tight in there, but it's worth the trouble. You will notice that there is NO panel on the right between the furnace compartment and the sliding door cavity. I created one out of masonite and affixed the insulation to that. The same goes for the left side, which will require lots of cut-outs for wiring and pipe.

two sailors · 10-04-2009, 10:53 AM

Rick,
Did you do anything with the grill in front, such as a filter or something to block the noise at the front?

dgerstel · 10-04-2009, 03:46 PM

Check out the info in this post:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f104/heat...ics-44576.html

Rick Coleman · 10-05-2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by two sailors

Rick,
Did you do anything with the grill in front, such as a filter or something to block the noise at the front?

I didn't put a filter at the front grill as I didn't want to cut the airflow any further. I think creating a panel against the sliding door pocket probably did the most good. I also put insulation on the roof of the furnace cavity. I can't think of the name of the product I used at the moment, but it is most used on hot rods, etc for the floors and doors...aluminum foil front with kind of a tar-like thick back, with an adhesive already on the back. Cuts with scissors. I think I bought it from the Eastwood catalog, and they are probably on line. It really absorbs the sound! If you pm me I can send you a handful of photos. Sorry,

I don't know how to post photos on the forum.