electric central heat

Paw John · 07-18-2011, 03:41 PM

Paw John here, I installed an electric heating coil in my central heater unit. I change out the plenum with one that houses the new eletric coil assy. Then connected the six duck hoses and wired up the controler and 30 amp disconnect box. I will be checking this system out this winter and will let everybody know how it works. This should cut down on my gas bill. I own a 2004, 36' Mobile Suite RV. This system is manufactured by comfort systems ( cheap heat ). I could not find any body in my area that was a dealer for them. So I contacted the factory and they shipped me one. I would like to know if any one of you has had this system installed in your RV and how is it working for you.

Ray,IN · 07-18-2011, 07:01 PM

How much output in btu's? My LP furnace output is 40,000btu, and in sub-zero weather runs much of the time.

TXiceman · 07-18-2011, 07:44 PM

With 30 amp service and 120 VAC, 3600 watts is all you will get...MAXIMUM. That is 12,292 BTUH less than 1/3 of the furnace....so it will be good for taking the chill off in cool weather, but in cold weather, the furnace will be needed.

Ken

Paw John · 07-19-2011, 05:11 AM

Ray, IN
The heater coil is set on 5000 w and I still have not used it in any weather colder than 45 degrees. It worked good during that camper trip and didn't need the gas side. The good thing about this system is you still have the gas for back up with the flip of the switch. Hoping to try it this winter and will let you all know the out come. I was hoping that some one else had the system and could give some input.

John Landry 2002 F350 4x4 dually & 2004 36TK3 Mobile Suite

Paw John · 07-19-2011, 12:04 PM

For all info on this product check out rvcomfortsystems.com ( cheap heat ) could noy find the BTU rating on the electric coil. My unit had five 4'' hose piping hooked up to the original plenum. Mr Larry with RV Comfront Systems suggested to hook up six 4'' hose piping to the new plenum and send one inside the underneath tank and piping compartment to keep it heated. I will check all my paper work that came with it to find out the BTU rating and get back with you all.

Kurmudgeon · 07-19-2011, 05:31 PM

Perhaps I'm missing something here, but how do you plan to save money on heating by using electricity instead of gas? Unless you are in an area with very low electric prices or extremely high gas prices, it will cost substantially more to heat with electricity than with gas. Especially when your electric heat is resistance heating. And diverting some of the heat into the basement area is just going to make it worse.

Either someone is selling you snake oil, or I missed something in your explanation.

JP

TXiceman · 07-19-2011, 06:36 PM

It is just another way to get money from a customer and let them save a few pennies on the propane they do not burn...unless you pay for electric at your site. A good money maker for the seller.

A heat pump will do better down to about 35 degF.

Ken

Paw John · 07-20-2011, 05:27 AM

All I can tell you is two years ago the wife & I was camping north of New Oreans. We went through two seven gallon tanks of gas in one week while plugged into electricity at the campground. The daily rate at that campground was $18.00 per day with no extra charges for electricity used. So if this works like it is presented it will save me on my gas usage. Thats money in my pockets. Yes I know that if you are a boomdocker this will not work. Thats why you still have gas back up. If this works this is a win win modification.

Kurmudgeon · 07-20-2011, 05:30 PM

Okay. In your original post you neglected to mention that you won't be paying anything extra for the electricity that is replacing your gas.

JP

az bound · 07-20-2011, 07:29 PM

I have been trying to do some research on it myself. I do know they offer elements as high as 17000 Btu. I would be interested if they would sell to an individual but the website says dealers only. I inquired at on dealer and their estimate was $700 just for installation.
I would also be interested in hearing an evaluation.

Paw John · 07-21-2011, 05:43 AM

AZ Bound
All I can say is that I contacted Mr Larry and ask him about a list of dealers in my area. He gave me a couple of names and when I contacted them they both told me they where not a dealer. I contacted Mr Larry and we talked about his system and I asked if I could become a dealer for him in southern Louisiana. He told me that I would have to install one unit before he would accept me as a dealer. I ordered a unit and installed it. It took me about 15 hours to Install the unit. Reading the book it sugesses it should take about 5 - 7 hour for instalation. The only thing that did not come with the system, I purchase at my local lowe's store was the 30 amp disconnect and the wiring from the 50 amp main intrance to the 30 amp disconnect box. I have not used the system after it was installed except one time and the weather was only at about 45 degrees. It worked perfect. I will use it this winter and can give a better servey on it. This system should save me a lot of money in the long time. I save money by installing it myself.

Kurmudgeon, I'm sorry if I misled you. At this time I only have been camping at camp grounds and using their electricty. Just to let you know that the last time I filled my gas tank up at the local gas co. it cost me $ 43.00 dollars for one 7 gallon tank up.

Ray,IN · 07-21-2011, 08:15 PM

It is true electricity is the most efficient (virtually 100%) heat source, however;
As Ken said, you cannot get more than 3,600W output on a 30A breaker, no exceptions. If you truly have a 5,000W element it will draw 41.6A @ 120VAC.. I suspect something is amiss with the output ratings.
That 17,000W element will draw 141.6A @ 120VAC. There would have to be a 240VAC conversion inside the coach for it to work (70A @ 240VAC). That leaves ~30A to power the rest of the RV.
As a dealer, do you have access to test results for these units? I am interested in comparing the results to industry standards.

Paw John · 07-22-2011, 05:11 AM

Ray

It is wired 240 volts to the heating coil. I will try to attached some pictures i took of the install. They are saved in my computer at work. Does any body know how to attach pictures to this message. I will read through my paper work and try to get answers for all of your quwstions.