Double air return - 3400?

[dsprik]

Maybe I missed this discussion...

The new 3400 (and the 340Q Big Sky) now have two grilles on the bedroom steps. Are those both cold air returns? And if so, should I be looking to try to modify what I have now - a single cold air return grill?

[Ozz]

The single air return is adequate for our units.

[waldo238]

My new 3000RK also has the 2 wooden grates on the steps also, I have taken them off and looked around in there to see if I can do something in there, storage or something.

[dsprik]

Ozz, what's the purpose of going from a single to double grill, then? I don't think they changed the 3400 from our units. Did they change the furnace setup or brand?

[Ozz]

I would be guessing, but unless the sq. footage changed, a much larger furnace would not be needed. Any one have a picture of the grills; on and off?

[waldo238]

I can probably get some pictures of it after work.

[Okie Guy]

Dave I noticed the same thing today when I was surfing around the net. My 2007 has one grate but the 2007 on a dealers page had two. I thought it looked kind of tacky with two grates. It just kind of shot out at me when I opened the picture.

[bsmeaton]

I'm with the rest Dave - I can't imagine that extra return air grill helping much. That furnace area is so full of holes for electrical, ducts, etc I'm not even sure the one grill is necessary other than it provides a general direction for air flow given the "path of least resistance".

The space occupied by that second grill is a hollow area on mine. Great place for an additional small storage strong box or something. As it is we have more room than we need so I never pursued it.

[dsprik]

I'm just kind of curious why all of a sudden Keystone decided they needed that extra opening??? It really is noticeable in the pics.

[bsmeaton]

You're right, I have the same curiosity - anxious to hear why they did it. There was a cost, so there must be a reason.

On mine, the converter is right behind the grill. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I wonder if they were having a problem with that overheating?

[dsprik]

Maybe, Brad. My converter is up above my closet. Didn't know they moved it...

[bsmeaton]

They moved it down under the stairs mid-year. I found out when I noticed the vent was missing in the W/D closet ceiling on ours that provides ventilation for the converter.

[bncinwv]

From personal experience, I can tell you of one possibly unintended benefit. When we had the mouse incursion last spring, they used that unaccessible wasted space for food storage that could only be detected by dismantling the entire side of the basement, including the shower drains. With the additional grate, at least it is a visible location now.
Bingo

[sreigle]

quote:Originally posted by Ozz

I would be guessing, but unless the sq. footage changed, a much larger furnace would not be needed. Any one have a picture of the grills; on and off?

And the square footage could not change since the 3400 is at the legal limit of 400 square feet. I think the 3500 and 3600 are the same, if I recall.

[sreigle]

quote:Originally posted by bsmeaton

I'm with the rest Dave - I can't imagine that extra return air grill helping much. That furnace area is so full of holes for electrical, ducts, etc I'm not even sure the one grill is necessary other than it provides a general direction for air flow given the "path of least resistance".

The space occupied by that second grill is a hollow area on mine. Great place for an additional small storage strong box or something. As it is we have more room than we need so I never pursued it.

I suspect there is a second, maybe less obvious, purpose for the grille and maybe this has something to do with there now being a second grille. Since behind the grille it is open to the water pump and connection center, I suspect the grille provides a path for heat to get to those areas protecting the lines and pump from freezing. Just a guess but it makes sense to me.

Waldo238, if you go into the basement storage area and remove the cover from the connection center you'll see the water pump, the water lines and the connections on the back of the connection center. You'll also see it is open all the way to that grille. It is a bit tricky to remove the cover on the connection center the first time but it can be done. It takes a little flexing of that cover to get it out of there. I'm talking about the side wall.

[hookman]

Our 2008 2955 has 2 grills on the stairs. I check the edges of these gills the ones in ours where very sharp, my heal touched one when I was coming down the stairs and got quite a bad cut on my heal. The dealer sanded them and refinished them. We both reported it to Montana.

[bw2]

Maybe it is a cost savings, no carpet or carpet install, just place the second grill like the first?

[waldo238]

When I first got the rig I took off the cover in question and was able to see the water pump but I believe that it is on the opposite side of the convenience center. It is supposed to warm up here Friday so I will check it out and post the results.

[mailmanguy]

I found this picture - thought I'd post it for clarity.

[dsprik]

The only thing I can figure is the fact that they moved the converter there and they need more air to circulate around it. Steve, your idea sounds plausible, too. It really does pull your attention, though.