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12-27-2008, 04:26 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 371
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Running propane heater while running
Sorry...forgot to ask this question.
while running in cold weather can you run your propane heat.
the major concern is when the coach slides are retracted some of the propane heat ducts will empty on the retracted slide and other ducts will be close to furniture.
is there a fire danger with this or is it just standard practice to not run with propane heat on.
thanks again
bob
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12-27-2008, 04:26 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 371
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Sorry...forgot to ask this question.
while running in cold weather can you run your propane heat.
the major concern is when the coach slides are retracted some of the propane heat ducts will empty on the retracted slide and other ducts will be close to furniture.
is there a fire danger with this or is it just standard practice to not run with propane heat on.
thanks again
bob
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12-27-2008, 04:41 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Franklin, Michigan
Posts: 1,306
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I do a ton of winter traveling. My first coach had a propane furnace and I always ran it while driving. Haven't had anyone tell me any different.
We also run the heat w/our current HydroHot. While some of the vents are buried with slides in, we haven't had any over heat problems.
The only thing to consider is that your thermostat temp guages will act differently. Our rear one is behind the slide when driving. So it is in a cold portion of the coach. We have to set the temp 10 degrees below where we want it.
Had the same issue w/the propane heated coach.
Final point, when it is cold the propane furnace will really suck the propane. Make sure you know where to get refills in advance. With most campgrounds closed, finding a spot in the North to accommodate a coach can be harder than expected.
__________________
Scott Crompton
Newmar TBD
Sue (DW):Celia 18, Alec 17, Isis (Abyssinian)
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12-27-2008, 07:34 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, Florida
Posts: 13,599
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I run my propane fired furnace when traveling in cold weather. Everything seems to work fine. Scott's concern about resupplying the propane tank is valid. Know where your supply will come from before doing this.
__________________
Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910 + GMC ENVOY XUV 37K lbs Moving Down The Road
The Avatar Is Many Times Around The USA
Nobody Knows Your Coach Like Somebody Who Owns One Just Like Yours
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12-27-2008, 11:23 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Little Valley, NY (Snow Country)
Posts: 161
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Suburban, the manufacturer of many RV furnaces says no.
"Question 5
Can I use my furnace while driving?
Answer:
No. Suburban does not feel this is a safe practice. Some states have laws forbidding the use of propane while driving. You should be sure all gas appliances are off and their ignition systems are off while the vehicle is in motion or being towed."
That is from Suburban Question and Answers.
Note that the above is Suburban's comments and not mine. That said, when I take off in a couple weeks for Florida, if it is cold outside, I plan on running mine because the engine heat just does not do it.
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12-27-2008, 11:25 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Little Valley, NY (Snow Country)
Posts: 161
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by parmm:
Suburban, the manufacturer of many RV furnaces says no.
"Question 5
Can I use my furnace while driving?
Answer:
No. Suburban does not feel this is a safe practice. Some states have laws forbidding the use of propane while driving. You should be sure all gas appliances are off and their ignition systems are off while the vehicle is in motion or being towed."
That is from Suburban Question and Answers.
Note that the above is Suburban's comments and not mine. That said, when I take off in a couple weeks for Florida, if it is cold outside, I plan on running my furnace because the engine heat just does not keep the coach warm. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
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12-27-2008, 12:55 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, Florida
Posts: 13,599
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On the topic of running the furnace when traveling, I would expect the manufacturers to not approve of this practice. Think about it. Why would a manufacturer risk any liability on this topic? What have they to gain? If I were them, I'd say the same thing they say.
__________________
Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910 + GMC ENVOY XUV 37K lbs Moving Down The Road
The Avatar Is Many Times Around The USA
Nobody Knows Your Coach Like Somebody Who Owns One Just Like Yours
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12-27-2008, 04:21 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Posts: 5,173
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If you're traveling in below freezing temperatures, your wet bays still need heat to keep them from freezing up. The only way I know to heat that bay is to run the (on my coach) rear propane heater. That said, I don't think I'm going to drive in those temperatures. But in above freezing but still cold temperatures, the cats still have to stay warm.
__________________
Travel well, travel safe,
Jim
2006 Tiffin Phaeton - 2011 Cadillac SRX
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12-28-2008, 07:42 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Appalachian Campers
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Dixie !! (north Georgia) USA
Posts: 4,114
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">That said, I don't think I'm going to drive in those temperatures. But in above freezing but still cold temperatures, the cats still have to stay warm. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I this case wouldn't you use a cat-alytic heater?
But it is cold and wet and cloudy here and I am bored!
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12-28-2008, 11:14 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Posts: 5,173
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I this case wouldn't you use a cat-alytic heater? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Oough, I should have seen that one coming.
__________________
Travel well, travel safe,
Jim
2006 Tiffin Phaeton - 2011 Cadillac SRX
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12-28-2008, 12:10 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Mesa, AZ USA
Posts: 1,806
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I don't know of any states that forbid the use of propane while driving. There are certain places (tunnels, etc) where you are required to shut off the supply while driving through. We here in Arizona have thousands of propane powered vehicles and I can't believe they are banned anywhere.
We use propane for the refrigerator also while in motion. It is set automatically.
I suspect that note by Suburban is an old CYA disclaimer. Since the new style auto-shutoff valves have been instituted, the hazards are minimal.
__________________
Wretched excess is just barely enough.
2002 Itasca Suncruiser - WH Chassis - 35U - 2006 Jeep Liberty
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12-28-2008, 02:12 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Redmond, Oregon
Posts: 76
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I too drive with the fridge on propane and once in a while, I do use the furnace. Generally though, I just turn on the inverter and use the heat pump unless it is really cold and then the furnace kicks in.
__________________
2005 Winnebago Vectra 36RD Quad slide
2004 PT Cruiser Toad
2 Scotties and many totes of quilting supplies
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12-28-2008, 04:16 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 205
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The combustion air on all three propane units, Furnace, Water heater, and Refrig are limited to the outside air by design. You can run all three with no concern unless you have modified or damaged them.
Just don't ever use the oven or range top for heat.
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12-28-2008, 04:29 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Pond Piggies Club Appalachian Campers Mid Atlantic Campers
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Shelocta, PA
Posts: 4,671
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Norton:
I too drive with the fridge on propane and once in a while, I do use the furnace. Generally though, I just turn on the inverter and use the heat pump unless it is really cold and then the furnace kicks in. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
You can run your basement AC/heat pump on your inverter???
Is this the stock wiring and inverter???
-Tom
__________________
Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Shelocta, PA · FMCA 335149 · W3TLN 2005 Suncruiser 38R · W24, no chassis mods needed · 2013 Honda Accord EX-L · 2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L
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