Using propane stove as a heat source

[pasdad1]

Originally Posted by Dan Wong

Is it ok to temporary use propane stove to heat the motorhome ?. as I understand it, propane does not produce carbon monoxide.



We prefer to replace the furance when we get home - a few days more.

As some others have suggested.....goto a Walmart or home improvement store, or tractor supply, etc and get one of these.......still crack open a vent or window to let in oxygen.

Electric blankets also work good....if you don't have a pure sine wave inverter, try to get ones with a mechanical thermostat and no fancy electronics.

[MSHappyCampers]

Using the stove for heating is a HUGE no-no!

[BFlinn181]

A couple of facts: Carbon Monoxide is absorbed into the blood more quickly than oxygen. It is colorless and odorless, thus can't be detected by people unless other combustion byproducts create odor. A CO detector doesn't monitor oxygen levels, which can be seriously depleted in an enclosed space with combustion taking place. As the CO is absorbed into your blood, you can get a headache, mental confusion, nausea, and eventually unconsciousness. It takes 5 hours for the CO to reduce in your blood by 50% once the exposure ends. Coroners report bright red skin, nail beds, and mucous membranes. Very young or elderly and those with breathing issues and heart conditions can experience more severe symptoms at lower levels than heathy individuals.

TexasTom, It's according to what's cookin'. If you are just boiling water or frying an egg or hamburger, you probably are fine. If you are roasting a turkey or baking a cake, then cracking the window open in the galley is probably a good idea.

[MnTom]

Just for anyone's info, a carbon monoxide level of 1.28% (yes, that low) is death within one to three minutes. Years ago I put my CO meter over a hose hold gas stove when the burner was first lit. The meter registered OVER the 1000ppm limit of the meter. DO NOT USE THE OVEN FOR HEAT.

[Dan Wong]

A big Thanks for all whom chime in. I learn my lesson. Am getting electric blanket and portable electric heater.

hehehe .. It was 3 am in de morning, we were freezing our butts off can anybody relate to that scenario?

[Elf111]

What happened to your furnace? Maybe we could give you some help getting it fixed.

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by Dan Wong

A big Thanks for all whom chime in. I learn my lesson. Am getting electric blanket and portable electric heater.

hehehe .. It was 3 am in de morning, we were freezing our butts off can anybody relate to that scenario?

Just make sure your electric blanket isn't powered by a MSW inverter and your heater is plugged into an outlet that isn't GFI protected.

[Dan Wong]

Originally Posted by Elf111

What happened to your furnace? Maybe we could give you some help getting it fixed.

In my younger days, I repair all my own stuff (just about). Now that I am retired with disability, I have no desire to repair anything. I am taking it to RV repair shop; if they recommend repair - that's what I will; if they recommend replacing - that's what I will do.

I don't know how much longer I will live, However, as other mentioned on several posting... 'Not worth the gamble'.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by Walt Bennett

Any propane burned in a flame will do what others have said, but a catalytic heater will not. One of those (a Big Buddy or some such) actually produces water vapor and some carbon dioxide. Still needs a vent cracked as they'll use up oxygen.

Actually, only their smallest version is approved for indoor use according to thier website.

[wa8yxm]

Originally Posted by Walt Bennett

Any propane burned in a flame will do what others have said, but a catalytic heater will not. One of those (a Big Buddy or some such) actually produces water vapor and some carbon dioxide. Still needs a vent cracked as they'll use up oxygen.

Even Carbon DIOXIDE can be dangerous if the concentration gets too high and they suck OXYGEN as well.. For this reasons modern Catalytic heaters have O2 Sensors and if the O2 level goes down too far,, They shut off... Would I trust my life to such a device, NO,

I would not use a non vented heater inside most RV's.. Eception, Drafty old things that .. Well, I woudl not be using in the winter.

[Mike and Cha]

When I was in high school, a group of kids went camping and used one of their parents trailer. It got below freezing and they could not get the furnace going. They used the stove as heat. In the morning, two of the 5 were found dead, and the Police said it was a miracle the other's didn't die. These were healthy young athletes and it was a tradgedy. Ever since I have owned an RV I have always cracked a window if I was using the furnace, I know it's a little paranoid and probably wastes some of the ehat generated, but we all wake up in the morning. I would not use anything but an electric heater if your furnace is not working, the furnace is plumbed to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, and Like said before I relly don't trust the alarm with our life either.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by Mike and Cha

When I was in high school, a group of kids went camping and used one of their parents trailer. It got below freezing and they could not get the furnace going. They used the stove as heat. In the morning, two of the 5 were found dead, and the Police said it was a miracle the other's didn't die. These were healthy young athletes and it was a tradgedy. Ever since I have owned an RV I have always cracked a window if I was using the furnace, I know it's a little paranoid and probably wastes some of the ehat generated, but we all wake up in the morning. I would not use anything but an electric heater if your furnace is not working, the furnace is plumbed to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, and Like said before I relly don't trust the alarm with our life either.

Mike your furnace is much different, it is sealed between the combustion chamber and the interior ductwork, uses outside air for combustion, just like a gas furnace a home. However, leaving your window cracked does allow some of the humidity created by your body and cooking to escape the RV.

[Mike and Cha]

Thanks Ray, I know it's safe to use the furnace, it's just a mind thing for me. I just crack the ones in our bedroom a tiny bit, even though I know I really don't need to, it just makes me feel better.

[bamaboy473]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Just make sure your electric blanket isn't powered by a MSW inverter and your heater is plugged into an outlet that isn't GFI protected.

OK, now I have to ask why a MSW inverter affects something as seemingly basic as an electric blanket??


EDIT: OK, I have my answer http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/elec...er-138832.html