Atwood Furnace Durability

[ads99]

I am a recent full time boondocker and have concerns about the reliability of the Atwood Hydro furnace. At 45 degrees it seems fime, but down in the 30's I feel like I'm stressing the system. When it runs 6 or 7 times an hour is that too much?

Note: When I have city power I use an auxiliary space heater. I've looked at the portable "Mr Heater"s, but they seem too big in size and heat capacity for a 19' Bambi Safari. Thanks

[Jammer]

I've run mine in -10 F. It runs continuously for a couple hours until the trailer warms up in weather like that. I don't worry about "stressing" it.

They don't last forever -- there's cumulative deterioration of the burner and heat exchanger with every hour of operations, just like a home furnace -- but they do last a long time. Years, decades in many cases.

[idroba]

Cycling on and off is not a problem for your furnace. It is how the temperature is and was meant to be controlled. You do not need to worry about it.

[ads99]

Many thinks. It will be 26 degrees in Lone Pine, CA tomorrow - I'll sleep better now.

[Tim A.]

We have used the furnace in our 2002 19' Bambi for many years in temperatures ranging as low as 9° F. The furnace has needed a couple of new control boards and sail switches, but not as a result of heavy use.

Tim

[Siegmann]

As you stated that you are a "full time boondocker", I would think that the power demands the furnace makes on your batteries/solar/generator system would be more important than wearing out the furnace. If you haven't checked into catalytic heaters, give them a look.

[ads99]

I have a 160 watt Zamp solar setup, which has had no problem restoring full batteries so far (but I've only been in the desert sun since I bot it), and I thought the Mr Heater "Portable" was to big - but I should at least get the "Little Buddy" for backup (and rainy says).

[Siegmann]

Originally Posted by ads99

I have a 160 watt Zamp solar setup, which has had no problem restoring full batteries so far (but I've only been in the desert sun since I bot it), and I thought the Mr Heater "Portable" was to big - but I should at least get the "Little Buddy" for backup (and rainy says).

Depending upon your battery bank, a couple of cold nights with the furnace running like you describe, and two cloudy days, you'll probably need that backup.