Community Forums

ruffian · 01-11-2020, 08:06 PM

In my recently acquired Phaeton 40, I have 2 propane furnaces.

Does anyone know if Tiffin ran any hot air vents into the water locker area?

There seem to be warm air vents running thru all the areas where water lines are placed in the cabin area, but I can't figure a way to prove or disprove warm air into the basement area.

Pigman1 · 01-11-2020, 08:43 PM

When you open the wet bay access door you'll see the flat white panel where the valves and outside shower are mounted. Just behind that panel there's about a 2" black flex hose that dumps warm air from the rear furnace into the tank area. Sometimes Tiffin will have a strap around the hose holding it in place and other times not. With a small light and a mirror you should be able to see the hose with a bit of standing on your head. About 40-60% of the rear furnace output should be going to the driver side of the wet bay to keep your tanks and plumbing warmer than surroundings. Some owners put a standard thermometer or a remote indicating thermometer in the bay to keep track of temps down there in the winter.

ruffian · 01-12-2020, 03:24 AM

The coach has been in my driveway 11 days so far and I am still exploring. Thanks for the response.

**Spdracr39** · 01-12-2020, 06:09 AM

Remember too that it's not going to be a toasty 70 degrees behind there either, just enough to keep it above freezing.

PKI · 01-15-2020, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pigman1

--- snip --- About 40-60% of the rear furnace output should be going to the driver side of the wet bay to keep your tanks and plumbing warmer than surroundings. --- snip --.

Hmmm - 40-60% is a lot of air flow. In above freezing temps, that's certainly not a requirement. In below freezing conditions, it is comforting to believe those areas are protected.

Seems like a method of diversion based on current conditions would be a very effective addition to the comfort of the occupied space. Or maybe a method that exhausted cooler but warm air to the wet Bay Area after it had heated the coach environment would be a better engineering design.

Thank you for the insight.

Pigman1 · 01-15-2020, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PKI

Hmmm - 40-60% is a lot of air flow. In above freezing temps, that's certainly not a requirement. In below freezing conditions, it is comforting to believe those areas are protected.

Seems like a method of diversion based on current conditions would be a very effective addition to the comfort of the occupied space. Or maybe a method that exhausted cooler but warm air to the wet Bay Area after it had heated the coach environment would be a better engineering design.

Thank you for the insight.

Yeah, it might make it easier. However, by adjusting the temps on the front and rear thermostats (front higher..rear lower) you can cut the output to the rear (and basement) when temps are milder and by raising rear settings compensate for colder outside temps. Definitely not as easy as a valve on the lower supply line but it can be done with practice. Of course, you'll also get those owners who don't have a clue how to balance a hot air system setting a flapper valve to any old position and then forgetting about it for years. We've been in temps down to 17F with 25-30mph winds and current system can keep the wet bays from freezing as long as the rear heat is kept up.