Heater/Furnace/Systems question

Lotus · 12-23-2008, 01:03 PM

On our heat pump controller panel (Coleman RVComfort.PHP) there is a slide switch for a/c, off, gas heat, and electric heat. Regardless of which heat position I select, the forward propane furnace still fires. Would like to use electric, but not sure there is a problem with the switch or this '06 Tradewinds just doesn't have electric heat. Any ideas? I'm not having much luck with the manual, and our dealer just went out of business.

A picture of our panel is here: http://i39.photobucket.com/alb...6/kushner/heater.jpg

Belgian · 12-23-2008, 01:55 PM

On our heatpump, if the temprature differential is too great between the temp. in the MH and what the temp. is set on the thermostat, the furnace will come on. In other words, if the MH is 60F and we set the thermostat to 70F, the furnace will come on. If we only set the thermostat at 65F, then the heatpump will come on. Then once the temp in the MH rises we slowly raise the temp on the thermostat to 68F and then to 70F. After that it will cycle on the heatpump. Ours has also switched over to the furnace when the outside temp is too low for the heatpump to operate efficiantly, I beleive because the suction pressure goes too low for the compressor not to get flood back of liquid freon.

Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376 · 12-23-2008, 03:29 PM

Ditto on our 05 Dolphin. The heatpump works within a 3 degree differential. Starts out on gas if it's more than that. Once temp is reached, the heatpump takes over.

Jeepster47 · 12-23-2008, 03:35 PM

Lotus,

Belgian is correct. It is the design of the Coleman basement heat pump. I can't remember what the differential in interior and exterior temp is, but it's some where between 5 & 10 degrees.

Ed

Lotus · 12-23-2008, 03:38 PM

OK, really appreciate the replies...that makes sense. The temp differential is significant, probably 20+ here in cold Ohio. We're taking a winter trip in a couple days to FL, the first in our 15 years of RVing. Cheers and Merry Christmas.

--dave

Fred and Bonnie · 12-23-2008, 07:54 PM

I'll tag along with Rick, I use 3º. It will take closer monitoring, increasing the desired temp as the room temp increases, however it works as advertised.

Fred

Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376 · 12-26-2008, 08:15 AM

Fred, it was you that got me to understand how to work the heatpump, thanks. It's so much quieter with it, over the propane furnace once temps are set. Thanks

Fred and Bonnie · 12-26-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376:
Fred, it was you that got me to understand how to work the heatpump, thanks. It's so much quieter with it, over the propane furnace once temps are set. Thanks

Thanks Rick, senior moment on my part. So much information, so little time.

Fred

two2go · 12-26-2008, 10:28 AM

"So much quieter..."
That depends on where you are. In the front of the coach, it is quieter. Since we sleep right on top the A/C unit and intake, there is no doubt when the electric heat or A/C starts up.
Our cat likes to crawl under the covers with us when it gets frosty outside. One night, the heat pump kicked on, the cat panicked trying to get out, and the DW ended up with a few nasty scratches on her ????? It was traumatic for the cat too. She wouldn't even get on the bed again for four months.

Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376 · 12-26-2008, 01:35 PM

Right. Quieter while up front enjoying a glass of wine and some good friends. Not so quiet if you are trying to sleep. Should of been more clear on that.