Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 04-11-2016, 02:57 AM   #1
New Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: NV
Posts: 3
Default Propane Furnace Upgrade?

Hello gents,

I'd really like to replace my atwood propane furnace with something else.

Why?

It's loud. Mine is located near my sleeping area and I have been woken up by it several times when it kicks on.

It's not very efficient. The temperature swings are extreme. The internal temp of my van will swing between freezing and boiling hot quite often.

What are my options beside supplementing with a Mr. Buddy?

I have heard the praises of the truma combi eco, but I am not sure if they are even available straight to the consumer. I'm willing to drop the coin for a unit like that.

Thanks for any advice!
Jamesk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-11-2016, 06:50 PM   #2
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: PHX, AZ
Posts: 2,648
Default

my 2006 has a suburban- same thing. like a jet taking off.

much of our camping is done with shore power we use a small space heater...375/750 w vornado, $20 at bed bath...it is quiet and does a gentle waft of warmth.

when you have shore power you are paying for the energy anyway, so might as well use it Mike
mkguitar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2016, 04:36 AM   #3
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 417
Default

Propex sealed combustion heaters are very quiet and efficient. And they include a matched electronic thermostatic controller to avoid big temperature swings.

Be aware that Propex heaters, like the Truma combi, are rated by output BTUs, whereas traditional US RV furnaces were rated by input gas value consumption. When adjusted for combined cycle thermal efficiency the larger Propex HS2800 has about the same effective output as a Suburban 16K BTU forced air furnace. However the Propex is quieter, more efficient, and has slightly less than half the electrical load on your battery.

Because they are so small the Propex units are often added to VW campers, and are available from Westfalia upfitters such as:

Westy Ventures / Propex heaters

and

VW Vanagon Propex Heater Units and Systems

Cheers
rockymtnb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2016, 08:36 PM   #4
New Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Kansas
Posts: 12
Default

Wonder if the wide temp range could be improved with a different thermastat? Upgrading the one on my home furnace had that effect. The thermastat controls the temp range between when furnace turns on & off. A smaller range causes furnace to cycle more, but keeps room temperature more consistent. Don't know what options are available, but changing a thermastat is much simpler & cheaper than a furnace. In fact, now I think about it, I may look into changing it on my rig.
OldKansan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-2017, 05:06 AM   #5
New Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: WA - Washington
Posts: 2
Default

Do you think these Propex systems can just be swapped out in the same location as the furnace that came stock in my Pleasureway Excel?
csquared is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-2017, 02:42 PM   #6
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 417
Default

The Propex heaters have a quite different form factor than the Atwoods, being a completely sealed condensing combustion system with separately ducted combustion air and exhaust tubes. So it wouldn't be a simple plug and play replacement of an old style RV furnace.

Probably worth contacting Karl at Westy Ventures for installation details and examples. It's likely that someone else has replaced their old Atwood/Suburban with the newer Propex.
rockymtnb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-2017, 03:10 PM   #7
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 978
Default

I have read good things about vented Platinum Cat heaters. They take one amp of power for the fan, as well as run from propane.
mlts22 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-2017, 05:01 PM   #8
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 11,893
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mlts22 View Post
I have read good things about vented Platinum Cat heaters. They take one amp of power for the fan, as well as run from propane.
Are those sealed combustion with their own fresh air inlet and exhaust?
booster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-2017, 08:57 PM   #9
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 978
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by booster View Post
Are those sealed combustion with their own fresh air inlet and exhaust?
Yes. Although their website is down (it is the default Plesk item.)
mlts22 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT. The time now is 07:12 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.