RVs are mostly self contained. If all the mechanicals are there the furnace will run off LP and 12v. I do this all the time and keep toasty warm when it's cold out when boondocking. One word of caution is that the larger furnaces will draw a lot of 12v, and depending on how often you do it or the size of the furnace, you may opt for a second battery, small generator, solar, etc, particularly if you'll be boondocking for more than 3-4 days and the furnace will run freq.
__________________
Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 1991
In my quest for a AS or Argosy, I see many have forced air heating. If I'm without power, which I mostly do, how do I safely heat?
I know there are propane furnaces, but don't they need to be vented, and how/where would I install without it looking totally out of place?
Thanks,
Dan
Dan, also check out Welcome to RV Solar Electric! since they sell and discuss the Olympian Wave 3 and 6 catalytic heaters. I installed a Wave 6 in my '77 Excella 500 31' and it did an excellent job. These heaters are ventless but you still need to crack a vent and window to provide some oxygen.
The other option, already mentioned, is a small Honda generator (EU1000 or EU2000) to keep the battery or batteries charged up. I currently use a Yamaha EF3000iSEB to run the AC if needed and to keep the battery charged up if using the furnace in my '86 Sovereign 25'. A 100 watt solar panel system will be added in April along with two 6 volt batteries on the tongue. I have also budgeted another 100 watt panel for April '08 if needed.
__________________ Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
I forgot to mention that several of my hunting buddies have the Buddy heater and have used them successfully for the last several seasons. On really cold nights when they are turned up, they would have to change out the 16 oz tank. One went with a hose to a 20 lb. tank outside the camper and the other bought the newer Big Buddy. They are bulkier than the Olympian Wave 6 but more portable unless you buy the optional feet and hose setup for the Wave 6.
__________________ Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
In my quest for a AS or Argosy, I see many have forced air heating. If I'm without power, which I mostly do, how do I safely heat?
I know there are propane furnaces, but don't they need to be vented, and how/where would I install without it looking totally out of place?
Thanks,
Dan
Go to a dealer and/or a rally. Look at the installations in the trailers. That should give you some ideas. If you buy a used trailer and the furnace is not serviceable look to see where the old one was and if a new one can be installed ther. The vent holes should already be in the side of the trailer.
Also look into the Dickenson Marine furnaces, they sort of double up as a fireplace. A bit pricey but it is in the eye (and the wallet) of thebeholder/buyer!
Having replaced a furnace, it was not all that bad. The worst of if for me was crafting out a base structure as the new furnace was much smaller than what it replaced. Read up on some of the furnace threads, maintenance is not that hard. Keep the wasp nests out of the vents and that is half the battle.
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