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12-21-2018, 09:06 AM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Oblong
Posts: 22
M.O.C. #18094
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Another question about furnace fresh air return
We have a 2011 Montana 3150. We don't camp much in the winter until this year. I have read on here where the vent under the stairs need to be left open for the return air for the furnace, but what about the vent under the fridge it draws air when the furnace is running also. I was wondering if this one could be blocked off as that is where alot of the noise comes, or at least put a good pleated filter in there?
Thanks
Mark
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12-21-2018, 10:16 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lake Havasu City AZ.
Posts: 1,811
M.O.C. #10552
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If you have ever removed the wall in the basement you will see that there is plenty of makeup air there. I have closed the vents under the stairs on every rig I have owned. I know I will be bombarded with people who have a different perspective. And yes I know that many will say that it may take a bit more propane to heat the colder air from that area by not pulling it from the living area of the rig. Again look where the furnace is and see all the open area there is. Or try holding a pice of paper over that intake and see if the furnace is drawing all that much air? Just my 2 cents on this topic.
__________________
Wayne and Ann Moore
2015 Ford F-350 King Ranch
Firestone air bags, bed saver.
Add 40 GAL tank in bed.
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12-21-2018, 10:36 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,324
M.O.C. #4831
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I believe in your model the furnace is under the refer and that vent there is the cold air return. You should be able to block off the area under the steps with no consequence.
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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12-21-2018, 12:08 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Paola
Posts: 5,739
M.O.C. #4961
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Wayne, you right as long as no generator is running. I had mine blocked and when the furnace was running it sucked the fumes in from the generator.
__________________
Dennis & Linda Ward
Paola, Kansas
Montana 3735MK Legacy Edition
1200 watts of Solar
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12-21-2018, 02:47 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lake Havasu City AZ.
Posts: 1,811
M.O.C. #10552
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A very good point. And just when I thought I knew everting.
__________________
Wayne and Ann Moore
2015 Ford F-350 King Ranch
Firestone air bags, bed saver.
Add 40 GAL tank in bed.
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12-22-2018, 06:51 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northport
Posts: 624
M.O.C. #12724
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carl n susan
I believe in your model the furnace is under the refer and that vent there is the cold air return. You should be able to block off the area under the steps with no consequence.
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True, and the furnace was much more efficient under the refer. Didn't do a very good job at keeping holding tanks from freezing though. Living in the south don't worry too much about freezing holding tanks. Wish my furnace was under refer. Don't like mixing cabin air with storage compartment air.
__________________
Paul Northport,AL W4XH
2013 358 RLT Mountaineer
2008 Silverado Duramax
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01-06-2019, 07:21 PM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Medford
Posts: 498
M.O.C. #18546
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Quote:
Originally Posted by waynemoore
If you have ever removed the wall in the basement you will see that there is plenty of makeup air there. I have closed the vents under the stairs on every rig I have owned. I know I will be bombarded with people who have a different perspective. And yes I know that many will say that it may take a bit more propane to heat the colder air from that area by not pulling it from the living area of the rig. Again look where the furnace is and see all the open area there is. Or try holding a pice of paper over that intake and see if the furnace is drawing all that much air? Just my 2 cents on this topic.
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One issue with that is when the furnace first starts up and just before it shuts down, the fan is blowing without the burner fired-up, therefore you are sucking cold air from the basement and blowing it into your trailer. I am looking at backdraft dampers to put on my return air vents. If I ever get around to doing it, I will post photos on here. I hate those drafts under the stairs. Too bad the basements are t better sealed and insulated.
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01-06-2019, 08:50 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Several of us have sealed and insulated the basements. There are a number of ways it's been done out there.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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01-08-2019, 09:13 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: STAYTON
Posts: 1,118
M.O.C. #18157
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The return grates under the stairs aren’t ducted to the furnace in any way manner or form. They are only there to let air out of the trailer when the furnace is running. Otherwise the furnace would pressurize the cabin and the furnace would stop moving air.
Mark
__________________
“Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.”
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01-09-2019, 09:55 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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We are in moderate climates year round and the furnace gets light use. We use the A/C way more than the furnace. The fireplace in our prime source of heat here in Florida. There are many sources of intake air in these things as they are full of holes. We block off our step vents.
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01-09-2019, 10:31 AM
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#11
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 99
M.O.C. #21053
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where would the cold air return for the furnace be on a 3791RD if not from the stair vents? I do not see any other return vents and the refrigerator is a long way from the furnace on this model?
__________________
Ray, Cindy and Goldie the Lab
2018 Montana 3791RD
2017 RAM HD3500, DRW, Cummins Diesel
Jacksonville, FL
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01-09-2019, 09:57 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: STAYTON
Posts: 1,118
M.O.C. #18157
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Soon 2B snowbird
where would the cold air return for the furnace be on a 3791RD if not from the stair vents? I do not see any other return vents and the refrigerator is a long way from the furnace on this model?
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The 3791 I looked at on RV trader had a return grille on the face of the second step going up to the bedroom.
Mark
__________________
“Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.”
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01-10-2019, 02:56 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 1000 oaks
Posts: 949
M.O.C. #19630
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Maybe I'm missing something but if the furnace is in the basement and it gets the makeup air from that area to heat and then blow into the living area, why would I not want it to get some return/pre warmed air to recycle and heat rather than a continuous supply of cold outside air?
The stair vents provide that return air for the heater.
__________________
2011 2955RL Gen-Y Executive Kingpin
2022 GMC 2500HD Duramax/Alison
4X4 Crew Cab/Standard bed.
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01-11-2019, 04:08 PM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Medford
Posts: 498
M.O.C. #18546
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MARK A
The return grates under the stairs aren’t ducted to the furnace in any way manner or form. They are only there to let air out of the trailer when the furnace is running. Otherwise the furnace would pressurize the cabin and the furnace would stop moving air.
Mark
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Although there is no “duct” for return air, the basement itself acts as a return air plenum.
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01-11-2019, 04:42 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: STAYTON
Posts: 1,118
M.O.C. #18157
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bad Moon
Although there is no “duct” for return air, the basement itself acts as a return air plenum.
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You are correct, however the only air that goes through those returns is pushed through by the hot air coming in. The furnace is getting most if not all it’s returning air from the under belly of the trailer.
Mark
__________________
“Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.”
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