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Old 02-25-2012, 03:50 PM   #1
Campingmike
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Heat duct to tank area

I have a Montana 3605RL fifth wheel and after checking out the routing of all the hoses and ducts and evething else, I have noticed a 2" flexible heat hose which seems to go down into the lower tank area, which I believe is used to keep the holding tanks from freezing. My question is, if I camp in weather 45 degrees and above, can I remove this hose from the lower tank are and either plug is off to increase the heat through the other heat runs or can I run that hose to somewhere where it would be more benificial to heat the living space ?? Seems like a waste of hot air where it is going now, especially sice I don't camp in the freezing temperatures. Thanks for any reponses !! Campingmike
 
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Old 02-25-2012, 04:01 PM   #2
CORattler
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Well, you could plug it off and possibly gain some additional airflow to the rest of your living space. Personally, I wouldn't do it because there may be that one time that the weather changes unexpectedly and I would need it and it wouldn't be there. Then what?
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Old 02-25-2012, 04:05 PM   #3
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by CORattler

Well, you could plug it off and possibly gain some additional airflow to the rest of your living space. Personally, I wouldn't do it because there may be that one time that the weather changes unexpectedly and I would need it and it wouldn't be there. Then what?
X2, plus it wouldn't be a serious increase in airflow anyway. In order to get more heat in my basement I opened two holes in the ductwork in the basement. No noticeable effect on airflow or propane use from doing that.
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Old 02-25-2012, 06:34 PM   #4
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DqDick, the holes you opened, was that on the sheet metal duct over the basement? and how large?? or was it on the divider between basement and furnave/ tanks area???
I agree about leaving the original ducts as they come...
Thanks for the info...
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Old 02-26-2012, 01:37 AM   #5
Illini Trekker
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If you don't camp in freezing temp then there is no need for it. Seal both the duct and the hose.
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Old 02-26-2012, 02:15 AM   #6
1retired06
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I have no intention of ever being in weather so cold that I need to worry about freezing tanks; those days are over! I blocked mine off the first week I owned the unit. It does get cold here in Florida sometimes requiring the furnance in the mornings, today in fact, and heat vents seem to work fine. I figure less space to heat contributes to faster warmup and less propane.
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Old 02-26-2012, 02:18 AM   #7
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Even here in Homosassa Florida most people do not winterize their RVs, but last winter we had a week of temps in the teens, We lost 6 fruit trees and 5 queen palms. I think I would leave it alone so if abnormal cold weater did hit I could plug her up and keep her warm.
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Old 02-26-2012, 03:13 AM   #8
1retired06
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We spent an entire winter in Fountain Colorado, just outside Colorado Springs. My 2002 Montana underbelly was not heated, and no heat strips on the tanks. Although I did heatwrap my water lines, and suffered through snow, my tanks never froze which I figured was due to the fact that they were somewhat protected by the underbelly, and heat escape from inside the fifth wheel. I think it takes some long cold spells before those tanks will freeze. If I thought I would be in really cold weather, I would install heat strips as I believe they do a much better job of protecting the tanks. Just too much escape in that underbelly for furnace heat.
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Old 02-26-2012, 03:22 AM   #9
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by dpilot

DqDick, the holes you opened, was that on the sheet metal duct over the basement? and how large?? or was it on the divider between basement and furnave/ tanks area???
I agree about leaving the original ducts as they come...
Thanks for the info...
Talked to the tech when we bought the rig and our HVAC people who work on our home and store when we got it home both recommended it if I was concerned with stuff freezing in the basement. Our HVAC people gave me a bit to drill two holes the size of quarters in either side of the duct where it crosses the basement. Does it do anything for me other than give me a mod no one else has? Who knows, but I like it and that's basically why we mess with our rigs.
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Old 02-26-2012, 12:07 PM   #10
Campingmike
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If I do decide to plug it off completely, is there a possible problem with tripping the overheat sensor in the furnace ? good questions for the sevice techs
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Old 02-26-2012, 01:09 PM   #11
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by 1retired06

We spent an entire winter in Fountain Colorado, just outside Colorado Springs. My 2002 Montana underbelly was not heated, and no heat strips on the tanks. Although I did heatwrap my water lines, and suffered through snow, my tanks never froze which I figured was due to the fact that they were somewhat protected by the underbelly, and heat escape from inside the fifth wheel. I think it takes some long cold spells before those tanks will freeze. If I thought I would be in really cold weather, I would install heat strips as I believe they do a much better job of protecting the tanks. Just too much escape in that underbelly for furnace heat.
I think you are correct about the heat escaping from the inside to the basement...I know lots escapes outside.
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Old 02-27-2012, 03:25 AM   #12
pineranch
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Mike,
I sent you a PM.
Mike
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Old 02-29-2012, 04:24 AM   #13
berridge
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I felt that there was about 20% of the furnace heat output going below to the tanks based on the pipe area. Since we seldom are in below freezing temps I built a diverter box which fits under the stairs. Using this box I can direct heat to the tanks if needed. For the rest of the time the heat comes out a vent pipe through an opening I cut in the stair riser and into the living area. I could not find 2in flexible duct so I used PVC pipe.
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Old 02-29-2012, 03:17 PM   #14
mtheo
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I'm one of those that doesn't spend a lot of time where I need the heat ing the basement. So, I put a tee in the 2" pipe and put a closable vent into the trailer, when vent is open heat comes in the trailer when close heat is forced into basement
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