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01-16-2021, 08:20 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Tyler
Posts: 193
M.O.C. #20704
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That giant sucking sound
Greetings again,
Well actually - it is SILENT as a thief in the night, but my 30 gal propane bottles only last 7-10 days. My 2018 3737 FL is parked at home, but I keep the furnace on for the occasional freezing periods. I am in Texas where it has been low 30’s / upper 20’a at night so I leave thermostat at 55 degrees.
I also noticed that the heater exhaust vent blows a lot of hot air to the outside - I guess it is supposed to do that, but that seems wasteful and inefficient. What’s up with that too?
Off to buy more propane now, thanks,
Max
__________________
Maxwell and Beverly Dow
2018 3730FL 2020 Ram 3500 Dually SWB
"Prairie Schooner"
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01-16-2021, 08:32 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Hesston
Posts: 735
M.O.C. #25060
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Is there a reason that you don't winterize? That would save a lot on propane.
If you're going thru one 30 lb bottle every 7-10 days, at those temps that doesn't sound out of the ordinary. While a unit can stay warm enough, it doesn't take very long for them to cool back down. The insulation, while there, isn't very thick...
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2020 Montana 3741FK
2020 Chevy SRW 3500HD Duramax/Allison High Country
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01-16-2021, 08:32 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: POINTBLANK
Posts: 1,916
M.O.C. #19944
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If you're plugged into 50a at home, leave the fireplace on low. For as small as the furnace is an RV, it's hard to make them extremely efficient hence the hot exhaust, same with the gas side of hot water. I also use a free standing radiator style heater when in storage.
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RAM 22' DRW 3500 Crew LB 40 gal reserve tank / RETRAX Bed Cover / 2020 373RD HC / IS / MOPEKA Tank Monitor / Furrion Side&Rear Cameras
Slide Toppers / EMS-HW50C / Sailun 85's
3rd AC / Dometic 320
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01-16-2021, 08:46 AM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Tyler
Posts: 193
M.O.C. #20704
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Thank you. I dont winterize mainly bc we are prone to hook up and go somewhere for a long weekend at a moments notice. (Well that was true before hip replacement surgery in Dec so now I am grounded for a while!) Is all that hot air exhaust normal?
__________________
Maxwell and Beverly Dow
2018 3730FL 2020 Ram 3500 Dually SWB
"Prairie Schooner"
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01-16-2021, 08:48 AM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Tyler
Posts: 193
M.O.C. #20704
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Ok that sounds like a good plan - and cheaper. We rarely get extreme cold for days on end anyway!
Thanks
__________________
Maxwell and Beverly Dow
2018 3730FL 2020 Ram 3500 Dually SWB
"Prairie Schooner"
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01-16-2021, 10:25 AM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Yes, the hot exhaust is normal. Since we winter in the high desert of NM we use a home 120gal propane tank. We disconnect the rig tanks where they feed the black pipe along the frame and hook the hose from the home tank there. Keeps us warm and avoids numerous trips to the propane dealer.
__________________
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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01-16-2021, 11:05 AM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Tyler
Posts: 193
M.O.C. #20704
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Probably a bad idea to somehow capture that exhaust and put it back in the belly or basement due to CO ?
__________________
Maxwell and Beverly Dow
2018 3730FL 2020 Ram 3500 Dually SWB
"Prairie Schooner"
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01-16-2021, 11:18 AM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,686
M.O.C. #4831
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The propane furnace is only 40-50% efficient and that is why there is so much heat coming out the exhaust. Don't try to recycle the exhaust. The CO will get you.
A tank a week is pretty reasonable for you situation.
__________________
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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01-16-2021, 12:12 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Lamesa
Posts: 629
M.O.C. #26010
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Your propane usage seems in line to me. I've gone thru a 30gal tank in 3 days in extreme weather so your results sound about right. Sounds like you have a plan on using auxiliary heat in addition to the LP and that's a good idea to help with the usage.
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Danny and Susan wife of 55 years
2019 Ram Laramie 3500 6.4 4x4 CC 4.10 SRW
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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01-16-2021, 12:17 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,568
M.O.C. #23668
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We have an 80% efficient furnace in our house and the exhaust going out the roof is also hot...that's just the way furnaces work. Newer furnaces for home can be much more efficient now, though, and really reduces the heat loss. I don't know what it would take for the RV market to develop that kind of efficiency in their furnaces...or what it would cost.
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Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana HC 305RL / HW Progressive EMS
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4 DRW / Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
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01-16-2021, 12:19 PM
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#11
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: BUZZARDS BAY
Posts: 117
M.O.C. #25753
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Get a small electric heater or use the fireplace to keep her from freezing. I would also recommend a wifi thermostat to inform you if the heat goes out.
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2020 Montana 3781RL
2020 GMC 3500 Denali HD Diesel SRW
20k Demco slider hitch
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01-16-2021, 12:56 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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get a compressor and just blow it out
__________________
Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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01-16-2021, 01:15 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 1,789
M.O.C. #14547
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You have to do a comparison on costs of each. The room heaters usually have at least a two position setting - 800/900 watts and 1500 and often a thermostat. If Texas power is reasonable, that might be a bconsideration. Tractor Supply (TSC) at the local store is currently is $3.09/gallon while at my locally owned RV guy that I try to give a some of my business it was 3.60/gallon yesterday when I had a tank filled. The local electric power is .14/kwh.
Do your Texas base arithmetic but also add in a factor for electrics convenience (gas/diesel and time). You also need to factor in that the propane furnace also provides some belly and water line heat in hidden places that an electric heater wont reach.
Now, capturing waste heat. We used waste heat from our large heavy duty gas turbines two ways - one as regenerative cycle to preheat combustion air and secondly, to heat water into steam (HRSG) to run steam turbines. Why not design a tube system that uses the waste heat from an RV furnace and returns some back to the furnace and some back to the coach interior. Hmmm. Yes, I know that it wouldn't be something that could be attached permanently, but use by a FTer or while the 5ers in storage at home might curtail a bunch of propane use.
(dang, too much free time on my hands with this epidemic along with winter blahs )
__________________
Dave W
2014 Montana High Country 343RL (Sold!)
2011 Ford 6.7 Lariat CCLB (Went to PU Heaven)
2019 F150SC XLT SE Sport,w/full tow package
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01-16-2021, 01:16 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #24086
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Air gaps:
Look under your frame. There are lots of holes and gaps. This allows cold (or hot, summer time) air into your underbelly and can freeze your pipes.
Use gorilla tape to close off any small openings (hydraulic lines, slide cylinder).
Use aluminum sheeting and cut to fit around the hydraulic jacks. Leave the opening around the propane tanks. They must have ventilation.
Take down your basement walls, crawl in and close the doors. You will see daylight coming in through all the gaps along the frame.
I have a 3130re. There is a panel under the bottom shelf in the pantry. Behind the panel is the water heater. Again you can see daylight coming in around the edges. This requires fire retardant insulation around the water heater to block out the air gaps.
Under your kitchen island there is a panel covering your plumbing. Take it out and there is a big Triangle gap in the corner. Cut and fit styrofoam to fill the gap tight. Use gorilla tape to seal it in place.
Remove the drawers closest to the fridge. At the back where the propane and electric wiring come through to the oven there is a gap in the wall by the fridge. Remember the back of the fridge is vented to the outside. Cold air comes in through this gap. Mine is an RV fridge so I have to be careful because on the other side of that wall is the chimney for the fridge heater. I have to use flame retardant insulation here.
Make sure your inside and outside slide seals are good.
__________________
Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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01-16-2021, 02:32 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,782
M.O.C. #22835
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7 - 10 days in 20 degree temps is beyond magnificent. On mine, a 30 pound tank in 20 degree temps at 69 degrees will last about 3 days.
__________________
History is not about the past, it's an explanation of the present.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
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01-16-2021, 05:24 PM
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#16
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Fowler
Posts: 414
M.O.C. #12748
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Trying to use the fireplace to heat to keep from freezing is not a good idea in my opinion. It will heat the living area but does nothing to heat the basement where the water system lives.
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01-16-2021, 06:09 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,328
M.O.C. #17894
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MaxwellD
Greetings again,
Well actually - it is SILENT as a thief in the night, but my 30 gal propane bottles only last 7-10 days. My 2018 3737 FL is parked at home, but I keep the furnace on for the occasional freezing periods. I am in Texas where it has been low 30’s / upper 20’a at night so I leave thermostat at 55 degrees.
I also noticed that the heater exhaust vent blows a lot of hot air to the outside - I guess it is supposed to do that, but that seems wasteful and inefficient. What’s up with that too?
Off to buy more propane now, thanks,
Max
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Your unit will more than likely not freeze at those temps since it would only be below freezing only for a few hours.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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01-16-2021, 08:24 PM
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#18
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Crossville
Posts: 300
M.O.C. #5424
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Time to winterize. Like JEFFBA said, get a compressor, drain all the water lines, and just blow them out. This has worked very well for me for 14 years. When you want to go, there is no need to prep as the lines are empty. Just go and hook-up at your next destination.
__________________
Ted & Beth Uhler, Crossville, TN
and "Monty", our traveling/camping cat
2022 Montana 3781, 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
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01-16-2021, 10:33 PM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: West Richland
Posts: 1,253
M.O.C. #17164
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As others have already stated a small electric heater will do wonders. You can always also put a fan in position to blow conditioned air into the basement by the bedroom stairs to keep that area warm too.
Tom
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01-17-2021, 05:31 AM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Trinidad, TX
Posts: 506
M.O.C. #20746
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When hooked to the house power, you might want to consider running your A/C heat pump. It keeps our unit plenty warm enough if we have one of those rare cold burst. I live about 1 hour west of you.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn 4X4 Dually Cummins Aisin CC LB / B&W Companion hitch
50 Gallon Transfer Flow in bed tank w/ Trax 3
2018 Montana 3121RL
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