How To Work The Furnace !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[machado11]

Hi happy campers, I have a 1988 Dodge Xplorer B camper. can you run the propane furnace when you are driving the camper? Also How do you run it when you are boon docking?
Thanks, John

[BBQ]

Originally Posted by machado11

Hi happy campers, I have a 1988 Dodge Xplorer B camper. can you run the propane furnace when you are driving the camper? Also How do you run it when you are boon docking?
Thanks, John

Most of the safety conscious RVer will tell you to shut off the propane while driving.


YMMV

[mkguitar]

I depends what you have- many RVs use a suburban brand furnace.

which is controlled by a thermostat similar to what you would see in a house- a sliding needle or dial type

the outside will have 2 vents, one for air in, and exhaust out- make sure these are clear of bug nests etc ( screen covers are sold).

so with propane on at the tank ( and gas in the tank) the thermostat should turn on the furnace for you- if it doesn;t an RV specialised repair shop should be your next call.
you'd know if it's on- noisy as heck.

driving with propane on? heres one RV'ers experience:




Mike

[gregmchugh]

I will be the contrarian and suggest that there is not any significant risk due to travelling with the propane on. There is a risk of fire if you have a propane device with a flame operating when you are near fuel pumps so you do need to make sure you turn off any of these devices before you pull up to the fuel pumps and not turn them back on until you are away from the fuel pumps. It is fine, of course, if you decide to turn the propane off at the tank while traveling but many people decide to travel with the propane on and are careful to avoid the risk of fire at fuel pumps and I suggest there is no significant risk associated with this practice.

On a diesel Sprinter with a propane generator there is no way to run the roof AC while driving in very hot weather unless the propane is turned on.

The propane tank has safeguards to prevent significant discharge of propane in the event of an accident or a broken propane line even if the propane is turned on. If an RV does catch fire then it really doesn't make any difference if the propane is turned on or off at the tank, if the fire progresses to the point where the propane tank heats up enough to allow the over pressure safety valve to open there will be a rather large flame but the tank will not explode. When this happens many people think that it would not have happened if the propane had been turned off but that is not the case.

[mkguitar]

...some propane systems will continue to attempt ignition via a spark even with the gas off, if the system is turned to on.
Not all owners know this.
I have heard unattended rv's with dometic fridges sparking away in the parking lot

Or systems continue to be hot for a time after being turned off



having seen a gas station fire ( smoker) I know the risk of being affected by someone else's ignorance- or self confidence.
It may not be significant but the cost is high.



My RV dash system will keep the van interior heated or cooled to a comfy level at any temperature at which I'd be camping ( 20º to 105º).
Our Suburban is noisy- when on shore power we have a small 750/375 watt vornado space heater which will gift a gentle waft of warm air

I wonder if the OP has a maintanence problem which could be addressed or if the RV is poorly insulated at the rear.

Given that a car heater just requires a to and from hose and a small radiator type heat exchanger and a fan- I could see where a rear heater could be added without alot of cost.

Mike

[avanti]

Originally Posted by BBQ

Most of the safety conscious RVer will tell you to shut off the propane while driving.

My estimate is that the community is split about 50-50 on this issue. I never lost sleep over it when I had a reason to. Now that we have a second engine alternator and a nearly-all-electric rig, there is really no point. If you have an electric solenoid valve and a convenient switch, you can just turn it on or off as needed.

I agree that it should always be OFF when getting gas.

[machado11]

Thanks to all who replied about the furnace question.
John

[JerrMan]

I also have an Xplorer Dodge 1988.
If yours is like mine then you have an hydro flame Furnace by Atwood@
7900-11
8012-11
most likely. there are others
I don't have electronic ignition mine has a pilot light.
It won't matter propane on or off IF your thermostat is electronic, as mkguitar has stated it will be sparking to beat the band.
So for everyone's safety please double check that their off. Especially when stopping for gas.
That's
Refrigerator
Furnace
Water heater
and anything else you may have propane powered. Ie: a generator..ect

my refrigerator has a pilot light also if you chose to light it , We only tried it once just to see mostly. I run it on 12v or 110v
Anyway I digress.

We don't travel with the propane on only in that the main valve when turned on or off will spit a little gas out when turning the valve. Therefore I would probably end up like the guy in the picture flames everywhere if I attempted to do this in some gas station. I can only imagine.
And I would NEVER want to go pulling into a gas station with a open flame pilot light running forget the possibility of 2 open flames going (electric starter just as bad) , OMG the ensuing fire ball ...Well the guy in the picture thing again.
Stay safe

PS not one of the manuals or safety bulletins that I have downloaded says not to run while driving.. But I won't be doing it anytime soon.