39 degrees while boondocking, anyway to get heat without generators

[Streaminfree]

So, I swear there is a way to turn some heat on, with battery and propane, but couldn't find out how in the manual.

Last night we pulled into an awesome little adventure in cold springs campground in Blackhawk, CO.

After a quite exciting dirt road, later discovered to be unnecessary (thanks google maps) we arrived to a fog covered 48 degrees. We are meeting some YouTube friends, less junk more journey and they helped us get the site. However, this is the coldest we've been in since full timing in our 2016 30fb 3 months ago.

I have a generator to get things going, but it's still early and 39 degrees. So, I'm trying to see if I can get this place heated up before hooking up a generator.

Anyone have any ideas, I know we have an AC system that does heat, but that gives an e7 error, but I thought we had a heat pad option.

Any advice would be awesome!

[xrvr]

Gas furnace runs on twelve volt I think.

[Streaminfree]

Originally Posted by avionstream

Gas furnace runs on twelve volt I think.

May sound stupid, but do you know how to turn on the furnace, when I select hp on thermostat I get e7 error.

[mojo]

May be too cold for heat pump to start. Switch to furnace for heat.

[xrvr]

Owners manual will have instructions on furnace operation. Heat pump is 120 volt, need hookups or generater. Furnace 12 volt I think.

[jayseejay]

As you scroll through the modes on the thermostat, select FURNACE, then choose your temperature. Assuming your propane is flowing, you should be good to go. Joe

[djarrett]

Avionstream is correct. You need furnace. Be aware, the blower motor on the furnace is a power hog and will drain your battery overnight, so just monitor it. On your thermostat - go to furnace. It takes a little while for it to kick in. Be prepared - if you have not run the furnace yet, when it starts it can smoke, and when it does it can set off the smoke detector. It will stop and dissipate after 30 minutes or so.

Hope this helps.

[tblkfsh]

You probably have two a/c units so the Furn option will normally be on zone 1 if not then check zone 2.
Terry

[Streaminfree]

Ok, thanks so I figured out the problem or the confusion. So the furnace is only available through zone 1. So when I looked in zone 2 it only has a hp option.

So, in turning zone 2 to off. Things are heating up thanks.

One problem the heat set off our fire alarm, is this normal, I just took the batteries out temporarily, but seems like that shouldn't happen.

[Streaminfree]

Originally Posted by tblkfsh

You probably have two a/c units so the Furn option will normally be on zone 1 if not then check zone 2.
Terry

Yep, thanks, this forum is so awesome! Thanks for the warmer toes!

[Streaminfree]

Originally Posted by jayseejay

As you scroll through the modes on the thermostat, select FURNACE, then choose your temperature. Assuming your propane is flowing, you should be good to go. Joe

Thanks, finally figured it out.

[aftermath]

If this is the first time you have ever used the furnace there is a good chance that the alarm went off because of the original dust/oil/paint has burned off. Did you smell anything unusual when it came on?

I love my furnace and have used it many times while boondocking. Never had the alarm go off.

[rjack]

Overnight the furnace blower will likely drain your batteries. Be sure to not let your TOW rig be drained unless you gave a hooster or generator. There is an amazing device now available....very small...that is a power unit. It will charge all kinds of electronic gear, and we have even used it to start a diesel tractor.

[GammaDog]

When boondocking on cold nights set the furnace as low as possible to save your 12v batteries. Use a down comforter or whatever. The furnace warms the trailer quickly, so setting it to 70 when you get up is a reasonable approach. Be prepared to recharge your batteries during the day in cold weather. I use solar if weather and lack of shade allow. I also have a third battery (larger group 27 versus the two standard group 24) that I connect when needed especially for cold nights. It rides in a battery box in the truck bed or back of the trailer to save tongue weight. When needed, it sits on the ground near the trailer's battery box and plugs in to an Anderson Power connector I added. A sunny day with two 100w Renogy panels on the ground easily recharges all three batteries after a cold night.

Or as an alternative, move to Florida... ��

[rodsterinfl]

I connect when needed especially for cold nights. It rides in a battery box in the truck bed or back of the trailer to save tongue weight. When needed, it sits on the ground near the trailer's battery box and plugs in to an Anderson Power connector I added. A sunny day with two 100w Renogy panels on the ground easily recharges all three batteries after a cold night.

Or as an alternative, move to Florida... ��

Way to charge GammaDog!

[Tampatomgirl]

Curious why you didn't just light the oven for warmth. Heats my rig quickly.

[JCWDCW]

With regard to the Smoke alarm going off... I had that happen once when the battery was so low the fan in the furnace couldn't move enough air and the plastic duct hoses overheated. We were woken up by the alarm and could smell hot plastic.
If it happens again check your battery voltage
JCW

[OTRA15]

Select "Heat"

Your owners manual should have all this in it.

Did the dealer walk you through the operation of everything before you took off?

[Grateful2]

39 lets see my temp dosent go past 60 that's long sleeve hoodie stuff in Flordia

[Gneiss Guy]

Tampatomgirl,

That oven warm up isn't too effective when you oven is a microwave! ;-)