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RAD.Sr · 04-23-2021, 04:06 AM

First trip in our new to us 05 Phaeton 40QBH. Its in the 20's this morning, and only 40's later for 600 mile ride home to MA. On our ride down to VA it was chilly, the dash heater did not keep us very warm. Question while driving can you use the coach heating system? Gas or electric ? Can you drive with the generator running to power these systems or enough from alternator to handle it? We are new to this, forgive the stupid questions! TIA.

hewebb · 04-23-2021, 04:35 AM

I am not sure what heating systems you have. We have a propane furnace that I have run while driving in cold weather. Some times for several hours. I do not run the generator when using the furnace for heat while traveling.

(As others have done, I run the generator to run the A/C units in hot weather while traveling)

n2zon · 04-23-2021, 05:19 AM

If it's cold, we travel with the coach heat on. We've done this for three coaches, gas and diesel, with propane systems and an Aquahot. Never a problem. The alternator has no problem keeping up.

**Spdracr39** · 04-23-2021, 05:35 AM

If you have an aquahot system the engine will heat the coach so by all means leave it on.

Old Scout · 04-23-2021, 05:41 AM

....yup--but you need to tell us what heating system[s] you have at your disposal. Most if not all roof top RV heat pumps would require the genset running to heat or cool. Owners do this all the time. But heat pumps are only good down to about 40 degrees. General rule is that if your system requires 120v--you need to run the genset--even for an electric space heater.. If your system uses 12v only for controls and fans/pumps--your engine alternator will do fine....

lllkrob · 04-23-2021, 01:20 PM

OR, you can put an adjustable shower rod up between the slides just behind the drivers and passengers seats with a long curtain installed to block off the rest of the coach from the drivers compartment. That way the dash heater doesn't have to heat the whole coach area just the driver's area. That's what we have and it keeps the compartment warm at temps down into the 20's while traveling. Oh by the way, we also do this in the summer to keep the driver's area cool using the dash AC.

SKP Kirk · 04-23-2021, 01:22 PM

Pretty much any motorhome heating system can be used while traveling and I know of none that require the operation of the generator. Most RV heating systems operate from 12V-dc power and do not need the generator but if you have some sort of electric heat, such as the built-in fireplace, that would require the generator as it is powered by 120V-ac.I am not sure what you mean by"Gas or electric ?" Most RV furnaces use propane and have a 12V blower and controls. There are aftermarket furnace kits to add an 120V heater to it, if that is what you are asking.

RAD.Sr · 04-23-2021, 03:16 PM

By gas I meant the propane heat for the coach. There is an electric heat for the coach as well as propane heat for the coach. Im not sure what systems they are as everything is first time use fir us. Both the propane heart and electric heat have worked great all week here while hooked up to shore power, but tomorrow we leave for home. Just curious to what needs to be changed while driving vrs hooked to shore power? Thank you

wolfe10 · 04-23-2021, 03:24 PM

The propane furnace works on propane and 12 VDC. Fine to use while driving.

Anything "electric" will be 120 VAC and unless a pretty light load that could run on your inverter, it would require that the generator be on. And, even with an inverter, I would not "hard time" the 12 VDC electric system to run resistance heaters.

Bigd9 · 04-23-2021, 07:21 PM

We take our coach with us when we go snow skiing. There are times when outside temperatures get down to 0 while we are driving up into the mountains.

You bet we run both propane furnaces while driving! We also run the electric blanket while driving so the bed isn't so cold when we slip into it!

jcdata · 04-23-2021, 07:26 PM

If you have the inverter on..just run electric heat...ours is on because of the refrigerator

Ray,IN · 04-23-2021, 09:11 PM

RAD SR. The propane furnace is designed to run while driving, as is the propane water heater and propane refrigerator.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcdata

If you have the inverter on..just run electric heat...ours is on because of the refrigerator

You are running the genset right? That would be a huge load on the alternator (1,500W AC= 125ADC) running the inverter off batteries.

Crasher · 04-23-2021, 10:51 PM

The simplest is to just unplug the shore power and start driving with the temps set to your comfort level. (running the propane furnaces) You will need the invertor on for your electric refrigerator, but no need for the genny. That's what we did with our 2003 Phaeton for eight years and your 2005 would be the same.

Unplanned Tourist · 04-23-2021, 11:17 PM

We have 4 different heating systems in our rig, plus the option of running the generator and plug in heaters.

Gas furnace, dash heat, heat pump, and engine coolant heat exchanger.

If you don't have them all, you can run the generator and some plug in heaters.