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Old 01-21-2011, 02:32 PM   #1
Ozz
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Check this out boys and girls

http://www.rvcomfortsystems.com/
 
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Old 01-21-2011, 03:06 PM   #2
Rondo
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I like the idea Ozz! The price is a little high, I think, but I guess if you want to save propane it might be worth it. Just how long would it take to use $800+ of propane however? You'd definitely have to use the unit fulltime or at least a lot of longtimer and in some cooler climates though! Heck, you being in HVAC, you should be able to come up with this somehow also!
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Old 01-21-2011, 03:36 PM   #3
Ozz
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This has been in my game plan, I will see how they do it. I sent off for a dealership, but I won't inventory 12 units. I can make up one with off the shelf parts. Just need to study it.
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Old 01-21-2011, 04:09 PM   #4
scductman
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Ozz the problem I see is the amount of power they take. If I am right it pulls 41.6 amps at 5000 watts. even if you don't pay for elect thats alot of amps. If I am on 30 amps thats to much. ck behind me and see if I made a mistake. Thats just strip heat you and I installed for yrs am I right.
bobby
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Old 01-21-2011, 04:46 PM   #5
stiles watson
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Ozz, On the road side business? Can you become an installer (I know you have the expertise, but will they let you)? Or do you even want to do so? I agree it sounds great, but the price is pushing the envelop.

It would be interesting to know what the comparative operating costs might be. When full timers settle in for a while the power may be an add on-cost. In an Escapee campground where we stayed in Washington, it was site rent plus electricity.

Certainly, it would be a savings if the power was included. In that case, you could reclaim the cost in one winter. I know I am using about $100.00 a month on propane in this weather and the cost of propane is rising.
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Old 01-22-2011, 12:41 AM   #6
ole dude
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As with any resistance heat put a penny in--get a penny out. I guess my main concern would be, the breaking of the heating coils. It has been my experience over the years in dealing with and repairing htg units, that the coils begin to get brittle as they are used. Bouncing down the road could do damage. I read about this a while back and thought about a calrod element from Hotwatt for this application. Just sayin.
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Old 01-22-2011, 01:08 AM   #7
Lambchop
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Nice idea.....except if your electric is metered....some RV parks in TX are charging .17 cents per Kilowatt hour!

I've heard of some people that installed electric heaters in their wall with a thermostat. A cheaper way?

Roy
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Old 01-22-2011, 02:24 AM   #8
Ozz
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Here is a more durable heater strip
http://pelonis.thomasnet.com/item/pt...f125881520220?
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Old 01-22-2011, 05:08 AM   #9
CamillaMichael
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Thanks for posting, Ozz. Not sure this is something we would want to do, but it sure is something to think about. Michael
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Old 01-22-2011, 05:26 AM   #10
footloose
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Hey, in our SOB we had a heat pump/gas furnace (propane). Came standard with the 5th wheel. Imagine our surprise when our new Montana didn't have that! We just flipped the switch to either have electric or gas heat.
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Old 01-22-2011, 04:25 PM   #11
Mel
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I really like the idea of being able to switch from propane to electric. If it is durable, I think I will be interested.
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Old 01-22-2011, 05:02 PM   #12
Wild Horse
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I put a configuration similar to this in our house we just sold, except you couldn't switch..it was just electric. Seemed like an air handler with an inline heat strip in it. Sure was a nice setup.

Now, I'm certainly not near as smart as many here about this stuff, but I looked it over and I came away scratching my head on their pdf file. Ozz, scductman, and others here.....why do they list in total daily heat output vs. simply listing btu's or btu/hr ? If it calculates like I think it does, a few of those listed are kinda scary to me with what their amp draw is. Also, if I'm reading the model #'s right, some of these are 240? I dunno.....I'm using less than 2 tanks of propane a month during the winter here. I think I'll pass...but sure is some interesting food for thought !
Bill
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Old 01-22-2011, 11:51 PM   #13
Ozz
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They have it wired so that you can select one or all three taps, one using the entire heat strip, and 2/3 then 1/3, you can even use 120v. and a 30 amp set-up. Well thought out.
Yes, a residential unit is simple, just a heat insert into the air handler, 4 or 5 screws, and it slides out. Their system needs to have about 5 or 6" more clearance that we have, so they use a sheet-metal spacer. It is a good system. One could make a similar set-up with off the shelf parts for 1/2 or less the cost.
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Old 01-22-2011, 11:54 PM   #14
Ozz
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Mel

I really like the idea of being able to switch from propane to electric. If it is durable, I think I will be interested.
I was looking at the ceramic insulators, they are spaced closely, so I think it would withstand the rough roads fine. The wire is tough.
I sent off for a dealership, but as I said, I will not buy 12 units to stock. I really just want more information. I assume the dealer cost is around 1/2 of the advertised price.
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