Operating furnace on Electric

[Colliemom]

I just received my latest copy of RV, The Magazine, which is published for President's Club Members of Camping World and soon to be combined with Good Sam's Highways magazine.

Read an interesting answer from the RV Doctor to an RV owner asking about electric/propane use regarding water heaters. As part of his answer, RV Doc also mentioned a new product that is now coming out for converting furnaces from just propane to electric also, called CheapHeat and being produced by RV Comfort Systems. I checked on this product and it sounds like it may be the new thing of the future for RV furnaces. It is even being backed by Suburban. Here is the link, so you can study it for yourself.

http://www.rvcomfortsystems.com/

i intend do to do some more research for possibly down the line on my rig or a future rig. This would be a nice feature to have I think.

[AlmostThere]

I read about that, too. Interesting..

I'm gonna hijack your thread a second with a DUH question.
When boondocking, what does one do for heat when they don't have a generator?
I just know someone will say, "add more dogs"!!

[mitch5252]

I read about that, too. Interesting..

I'm gonna hijack your thread a second with a DUH question.
When boondocking, what does one do for heat when they don't have a generator?
I just know someone will say, "add more dogs"!!

I've used the Coleman heater that takes the little bottles. Not overnight, though.



I want to look at a little Heater Buddy (or something like that) - supposedly "safe" indoors...
(and that's only assuming I ever get to go camping again...)

..

[OutandAbout]

I
I just know someone will say, "add more dogs"!!

ADD MORE DOGS... Couldn't resist. This would not be an economical alternative

The system seems pricy. An electric heater would work just a well and be a fraction of the price. I have heard good things about a Mr. Buddy and some ceramic heaters as well. Some campgrounds will most likely adjust their rates to incorporate these new systems just as they do for the air conditioners. Time will tell. Linda

[Marslet]

Linda,
The only problem with your suggestion, is if you are boondocking, you have NO electricity to run the electric heater with.

[VickieP]

We have a Mr. Buddy heater that runs on the little green bottles. Never had to use it, but my nephew has used it twice to heat his deer stand & said it works good.

[retiredhappy]

The heater runs on propane so you don't have to be plugged in to use it so when boondocking, you have heat. I agree that its a lot more expensive than just using a little electric heater when you have electric. Personally I wouldn't want ANY kind of propane heater INSIDE my rig.

[Birdie]

Well, having grown up with propane I have no problem using it to heat either furnace or little heater, cook on the stove top or oven, or use it for the grill. I have a very healthy respect for it but don't let it scare the begeeseses out of me. So far I haven't had to come up with what to do when it is cold and I don't have a genny. Well, not totally true, a my genny didn't want to run while in the cool part of FL earlier this year. But I just layered more clothes when I was cold and unlayered as it warmed up. Now the genny just runs and runs and runs (thanks to a new fuel pump).

So, I would not have a problem using a Buddy Heater, but don't find that I need to invest in that.....yet.

[Bethers]

The gas furnace runs without electricity - as long as the battery is charged. Would only be an ONLY electric furnace that wouldn't work boondocking unless using a generator. And for those of us who try to be "green" we don't use the generator much. And I will add solar at some time.

I have no problem with using lp for my fridge (which also needs the battery to run), stove top (where I prefer gas to electric - just like I do in houses) and the furnace being gas. Having one that can be dual like some water heaters are, would be nice. But expect to see cg's raise rates when it happens to more rigs (if electric is included in the rate).

[AlmostThere]

So when you run things that use the coach battery (and you don't have a gennie), do you run your engine to recharge the coach batteries periodically?

[sharon]

So when you run things that use the coach battery (and you don't have a gennie), do you run your engine to recharge the coach batteries periodically?

You can. If you only have one coach battery, the heater is gonna suck it dry quickly.

[AlmostThere]

So when you run things that use the coach battery (and you don't have a gennie), do you run your engine to recharge the coach batteries periodically?

You can. If you only have one coach battery, the heater is gonna suck it dry quickly.

Yes, I only have the one. Thanks for the info!

[pattyk]

My RV guy says that running the engine charges the coach batteries faster than the generator. I did that quite a few times when I was having trouble with my generator last summer. He says it is because the engine uses an alternator which makes it more efficient than the gen.

[AlmostThere]

My RV guy says that running the engine charges the coach batteries faster than the generator. I did that quite a few times when I was having trouble with my generator last summer. He says it is because the engine uses an alternator which makes it more efficient than the gen.

That's good to know. Thanks

Another question: Is there any average on how much fuel the gennie uses? ie 1hr = 1 gal.

[VickieP]

Another question: Is there any average on how much fuel the gennie uses? ie 1hr = 1 gal.

My gennie is an Onan 5500 and the book says approx. 1/2 gallon per hour.