Best way to heat in the winter?

[denwhit]

I have a question for you old timers... what is the best way to keep the coach warm while parked in the wintertime? Seems like using propane is expensive. I know Monacos have electric heat strips that they use while hooked up in an RV park. Did Alpine mess up not putting these on? Would a catalic converter be in order?

[denwhit]

I have a question for you old timers... what is the best way to keep the coach warm while parked in the wintertime? Seems like using propane is expensive. I know Monacos have electric heat strips that they use while hooked up in an RV park. Did Alpine mess up not putting these on? Would a catalic converter be in order?

[ggbanks]

I use a couple of Pelonis 1500 watt ceramic heaters like this one: http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...ductId=1442483 . Of course you have to be connected to shore power. They keep the inside cozy, anyway works for me. Make sure you drain you tanks and water lines, or I guess you could put one underneath to keep lines & tanks from freezing.
Check out this site: http://www.bizrate.com/buy/products_...-13110108.html

[Ted III]

Denwhit, The heat strips were an option on the A/C units. I do not believe they are something that can be added. The Alpine that I have which is a 2005 model has A/C with integrated heat pumps which quite frankly are great. The small Pelounis heaters work well if you are in the coach. I would never leave any electric heater unattended. (My personal opinion)

Ted Ulmer
2005 AlpineFDDS
2006 PT CruiserGT

[denwhit]

Thanks Guys. I'll go searching for those Pelounis heaters this morning.

[troth]

FYI-
My local Wally Mart has Pelonis heaters for $23, and they oscillate (switchable on/off too). Camping World wants $35 for the same thing in their latest sales catalog....

[Cruzer]

The heat strips utilize the A/C system to provide mechanical heat. They're not something that works well below 40 degrees. Also, the A/C ducts don't heat the basement, where the plumbing is, so that's not an option in freezing weather.

The Pelonis heaters are a great way to provide additional heat. I too, would not put one in the basement or leave it unattended for safety reasons. Note, that they are "additional" heat. You'll still need to run your furnace to keep the basement warm unless you have your water system winterized. You don't need the basement at 68 degrees though so you can use the ceramic heaters upstairs to boost the heat above what the furnace is set to provide.

[EngineerMike]

I don't know from personal experience about freezing weather, but I'll guess that 1500 watts would do for overnight heat in the coach, but not during the day. Two 1500 watters might get it for daytime use when living off park electric.
I'd also suggest the use of either electric blankets or electric mattress pad (something new my wife found).
As to the basement, it only takes one degree above freezing. Two 100 watt bulbs might do that; one in the main basement and one in the sewer tank compartment. I'd try a coupla cheap trouble lights.
Of course if your plumbing freezes, sue somebody else.

[Ted III]

Thanks Cruzer, I neglected to point out that the heat pumps in the AC units are useless at 40? or less. Will the propane heater give enough heat in the basement for the holding tanks as well as the water tank to keep them from freezing?

Ted Ulmer

[Cruzer]

Under normal conditions it will. Alpine's and Allegro Busses are both insulated very well so the results should be similar. I've found that there's generally more heat applied to the basement than the upstairs because the basement retains it better (no glass area or vents to let the cold in). As long as you have the heat up in the coach you'll be fine. My only concern would be if you had the heat set low, less than 50 degrees, during storage in zero degree weather. In that case, the furnace won't kick in that often, mainly because you're all buttoned up and not opening doors and vents. In that situation you may have problems getting enough heat to critical basement areas.

I replaced my tank sensors with a SeeLevel system. The Seelevel system uses digital external tank sensors that measure the tank levels and display them on a panel in 2% increments. I like this system and my particular panel also has an outside temperature display module, which I located in the basement water service area. I've found that the temps down there stay just fine with the heat on.

[EngineerMike]

Best way to heat coach in winter is w/Solar.
Park south of latitude 28, preferably on a beach.

[Jim A]

Similar to the best approach to survive a hurricane.

1. Buy a weeks worth of food and water.
2. Pack it in the car (coach).
3. Drive to Nebraska until November.

[Barbaraok]

That's what we plan to do starting next July - - far enough north to not really need air conditioner, far enough south to not really need heavy heating. I do like a little nip in the air for Christmas. Just enough to remind one that some where people are shoveling lots and lots of snow - - it just isn't me.

[VAGABONDMAN]

E-Mike,
You're a man of great wisdom! Going south is the best way - maybe we'll see you in Jan.