Furnace!

[Nsblucam]

Ok may be a dumb question but first trip out in our new trailer and the furnace will not work on electrical, is it gas only? If not only operated on gas please help guide me on how to get furnace to run on electrical!!!!

Thank you!:banghead:

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the forums.

The furnace uses 12VDC to operate the fan and propane flame to provide heat.

When you choose heat and turn up the thermostat does anything happen?

[Nsblucam]

If the propane is on, we have heat. If the propane is off the vents blow cold air. I thought the heater could work off of electrical only, but you are saying that's not the case?

[chuckster57]

The only "electrical" heat that I know of is if the A/C unit has an optional heat unit.

I haven't seen an RV with electrical heating elements in the furnace. Not to say that it doesn't exist.

[JRTJH]

All of the Keystone "factory installed" furnaces operate on 12VDC and use propane as the source of heat. Without the 12VDC the "controls" won't work and without the propane, it only "blows cold air" (just as you discovered).

There is a "controversial" (cost vs benefit) 120 volt furnace "add-on" heating unit that provides heat using the existing furnace fan. The controversy comes into play with the noise the existing fan makes and the cost of electricity vs propane (many monthly sites use metered electricity paid by the camper).

Otherwise, the only heat sources are the A/C heating element (optional in most campers) and fireplace heaters (found in larger RV's).

But, to answer your question, you need a good source of 12VDC and propane to get heat from the "standard furnace".

[chuckster57]

Do you have a link for the AC "add on"?

[JRTJH]

Do you have a link for the AC "add on"?

Yup, Here's one link: http://sempreshopping.com/products/details-93068554-product-13916641/O008M6P6IP

We've discussed the pros and cons in a couple of threads last year and the year before (I believe).

Here's the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008Z6C6VC/?tag=smprscri-20

As you can see, the price is $545, which is why I say the benefit vs cost is so high. At $25 for a 1500 watt (5700 BTU) quartz heater, I'd be hard pressed to justify the furnace add-on. Apparently someone likes them, they're for sale :)

ADDED: Oops, after rereading your question, I saw you wanted the link for the A/C add on heating element. Here's one model for the Brisk-Aire II ducted series: http://www.adventurerv.net/dometic-duotherm-brisk-air-heat-strip-kit-air-conditioner-ducted-p-31459.html

[chuckster57]

Thanks.

We opted for oil filled heater because we camp with 3 indoor cats. No burnt hair smell.

[JRTJH]

LOL now that is a smell I'd prefer to avoid as well. Our GWP doesn't climb on the counters so we put the quartz box on the stove at night. So far that's been all we've needed to take the chill off. Actually, most nights, we turn it to low and even then, unplug it sometime through the night as it seems "too hot", and at our age, it's the heater not the atmosphere.....
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