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Old 01-11-2017, 11:09 AM   #1
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Basement heat pump frosting over

Hello,

I have a 2004 Winnebago Adventurer with the True Air basement heat pump. I have an issue that needs an answer. When I use the heat pump to warm up the cabin, it begins to frost over completely on the outside. The outside air temp has been between 18-30 degrees outside. Is it normal for the heat pump to frost over in theses Temps?
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Old 01-11-2017, 11:36 AM   #2
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Yes, most heat pumps quit working at about 35° unless they are equipped with defrosting units. Also, most heat pump controls will switch over to a backup heat source like a propane furnace, but not all do that.
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Old 01-11-2017, 11:40 AM   #3
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Mr. D,

Thank you very much for the input. I will just use the propane furnace and small space heaters to keep the cabin warm.
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Old 01-11-2017, 12:10 PM   #4
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It is normal for these to freeze over in cooler outside temperatures around freezing and can freeze over quicker if the outside humidity is high. Ours eventually stops and causes the gas furnace to take over.
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Old 01-11-2017, 04:33 PM   #5
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It is perfectly normal for them to frost over at anything below 36 or so. We have a heat pump at our home and it will some times frost over solid. It is designed so that one time each hour it reverses itself into AC mode so the outside coils will warm up and melt the ice. Unfortunately, RV heat pumps don't have this function.
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Old 01-11-2017, 04:40 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lt Dan View Post
Unfortunately, RV heat pumps don't have this function.
Some do, the 13.5 ones in our '02 DSDP had the function. It was an option the Newmar specified for their units in some lines.
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Old 01-11-2017, 05:52 PM   #7
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We had the same heat pump in our previous coach, a 2002 Journey. It heated very well down to about 36F. Lower than that, it will ice up since it does not have a defrost cycle like a residential heat pump.

At the temps you are describing, you will need to rely on your LP furnace. We also used a portable electric space heater up front.
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