Furnace Upgrade - Montana Owners Club

tweber502 · 11-23-2013, 03:27 AM

I was wondering if anyone has installed the CheapHeat electric conversion on their gas furnace. http://www.rvcomfortsystems.com/#. It seems like a very practical use of the factory installed gas furnace without worrying about running out of gas or fooling with multiple small space heaters. Tim

CORattler · 11-23-2013, 04:47 AM

If I remember right there was some discussion about this.
Sorry I can't provide a link to it.

Overlord · 11-23-2013, 09:34 AM

Looks like a nice system, but probably adds another maintenance item to remove and clean dust off of the elements a couple times a year so you don't get that dusty smell when used the first time every season.

At $500 bones for this system, I would probably go the air conditioner heat strip route instead at about 1/10th to 1/5th the cost.

Of course, the CheapHeat system puts out much more heat and also will heat the underbelly as well, which the AC heater strip will not do. So, it would depend on each individual's needs. But, the CheapHeat looks pretty good, especially out West, where typically you don't get charged for electric watts used at RV parks.

**DQDick** · 11-23-2013, 01:05 PM

I'm waiting a couple of years to see how they perform over time.

DonandJudy_12 · 11-24-2013, 06:20 AM

Don't forget the extra wattage used will detract from the current available from the power source- We have found that most campgrounds and resorts have marginal wattage available due to the age of these old campsites- JMHO- Don

**DQDick** · 11-24-2013, 05:51 PM

True, but I've been seeing some Class A's with three AC units lately and I bet they can really produce an amp draw also.

K0LCB · 11-25-2013, 02:45 AM

Dick, I don't think the class A's with 3 AC' s run them all at the same time. Even 50 amps couldn't start 3 AC' s at same time

Tom S. · 11-25-2013, 03:00 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by K0LCB

Dick, I don't think the class A's with 3 AC' s run them all at the same time. Even 50 amps couldn't start 3 AC' s at same time

If they some how stagger the compressors startup, they could run as many as four. Air conditioners big current draw is when the compressor kicks on. After that, the draw drops considerably.

psomers · 11-25-2013, 10:49 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by DQDick

True, but I've been seeing some Class A's with three AC units lately and I bet they can really produce an amp draw also.

I'll see your three and raise you two. I saw a Prevost couple of weeks ago that had five. No way he can run all at same time but he had them. It's no wonder camp ground prices are approaching staying in a motel.

dsprik · 11-25-2013, 04:32 PM

In the winter months, I have to pay for my electric. That kicks it out of my window of thought right there...

**DQDick** · 11-25-2013, 04:51 PM

Five? Now there's a cool dude

Mudchief · 11-25-2013, 11:45 PM

Tim, I have looked into it and think it would work good. However the install will be a lot of work. The unit itself is not bad it is all of the wiring. If you can do it your self that is one thing. If you have to pay a RV place to do it you are going to spend a lot of money.

coyoterick · 12-23-2013, 05:12 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by K0LCB

Dick, I don't think the class A's with 3 AC' s run them all at the same time. Even 50 amps couldn't start 3 AC' s at same time

Keep in mind that 50 amp service is actually 100 amps total - 50 amps on each leg. So 50 amp service can theoretically run up to 6 AC's just fine assuming a running current of 13 amps for each AC and 3 AC's on each leg. Starting current can be on the order of 16 amps but as long as you're not starting several at one time it will work fine.

K0LCB · 12-23-2013, 05:58 AM

Many RV parks advertise 50 amp service, but in reality it is 60 amp because of feeder size

Art-n-Marge · 12-23-2013, 07:36 AM

I also wondered how a rig can run 5 A/C units, but I just saw an RV show featuring a company who builds gutted Prevost chassis' into some pretty luxurious models. I think they use shore power just for recharging not just supply. The unit had 12 (yes, twelve) batteries and a huge generator (just happened to see it at a quick glance), so these beast units have beastial power needs provided beyond what shore power that we use for supplying to our rigs. I recently stayed at an RV park that has quiet hours and around the campground were some luxuty models like these and they ran their generators 24/7. Fortunately these RVs were also so large and well insulated the generators noise was just a slight buzz and wouldn't seem to be against quiet policies of RV Parks.

Since these rigs are designed with push button convenience I'm pretty sure they try to provide way more power to run the motors, lights, electronics and conveniences that I saw on the show. I don't live like that in my stickhouse so I have no plans for my RV to be better than my house, but those willing to pay for some exhorbitant lifestyles are welcome to it and apparently have found a way.

This has got to be the way they get around having 5 A/Cs and the need to restart them in a staggered pattern, because after the startup, how can you control that more than several restart during the day when trying to keep the rig cool, or maybe there's a smart controller to ensure only one restarts at a time. However, I'd still like to think that the huge power systems in these rigs don't worry about power needs.

lostshakerofsalt · 12-25-2013, 03:08 AM

In talking to some Class A owners, I found that some run off their inverter a lot and use pedestal power to charge the batteries.

mhs4771 · 12-25-2013, 09:57 AM

Art, don't know if they showed the batteries, but we saw one of those at last years Tampa show and the batteries were Commercial Truck Batteries Size 8D, each weighing 150 Lbs, plus they have a bank of 3200 Watt Inverters, forget the exact number. Those things are controlled via an I-Pad and will send you automatic updates via e-mail of the status of the rig while you're away.

7.3Ford · 12-26-2013, 07:15 AM

Tim,

I put heat-strips in both AC's about 1.5 years ago. We can run both on 30 Amps, but you have to watch the loads. Normally we run the down stairs heat strip at night with the fireplace, and the upstairs heat strip and fireplace during the day (it is quieter that way). On 50 amps service we can run everything hearts desires.

tweber502 · 12-26-2013, 10:32 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by 7.3Ford

Tim,

I put heat-strips in both AC's about 1.5 years ago. We can run both on 30 Amps, but you have to watch the loads. Normally we run the down stairs heat strip at night with the fireplace, and the upstairs heat strip and fireplace during the day (it is quieter that way). On 50 amps service we can run everything hearts desires.

John, Just curious how you control the heat function in the living room air conditioner with an added heat strip. Not a problem in our bedroom air unit as it is pre-wired for it and already has the controls for heat function. Tim

7.3Ford · 12-26-2013, 11:02 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by tweber502
John, Just curious how you control the heat function in the living room air conditioner with an added heat strip. Not a problem in our bedroom air unit as it is pre-wired for it and already has the controls for heat function. Tim

Heat strip just plugs into the control box inside the AC unit. Once you do that, the thermostat will add heat-strip to the mode selection for the zone that has it. (If I remember right there is a switch that has to be set inside the control box). So you can set mode to cool, furnace, or heat-strip. Works just like cool or furnace, set the temp you want, and your are done.

You need to order the right one for your unit, but here is what they look like.

http://www.adventurerv.net/dometic-d...2-p-20839.html

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