matt7591
So. CA
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Joined: 07/11/2003
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Probably the wrong season but something that perturbs me. Lowest we've camped is about 35 degrees without heat (not intentionally)! However, we like to keep it comfortable normally.
Is there a way to run a heater so that it will just blast hot for a couple minutes and turn off? That's the way I used my Heater Buddy before I got a trailer with a heater. That thing could keep us comfortable the whole night on very little propane. Just turn it on a couple times a night for like 5 minutes to generate some heat!
With the thermost (a digital unit), it will blast on and off all night (very disruptive) across narrow swings of temp. I'd rather have it go on at say 45 and off at say 55 or 60. Maybe this is an RTFM moment, but there's just got to be a better way.
Mainly concerned with excessive propane use and battery drain. I like to boondock. I'm thinking the heater buddy would be easier!
Thanks for suggestions.
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vikx
Washington State
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Joined: 08/03/2006
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The only thing I can think of is an Olympian Wave 8 with a thermostat. They use 12 volt power and have a small fan. Also probably overkill for the temps you want. The Wave heaters are a little more controllable temperature wise than the Buddy. You might check out the Wave 3 (3000 BTU on High)and 6(6000 BTUs on High). They would be on all night but set on "Low", a 3 would not cook you in a larger rig. Guessing, I would say you'd get around 1500 BTU on Low.(I use them in vintage travel trailers, 15 footers) VK
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joanne0012
Boston, MA
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Joined: 02/01/2005
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Many thermostats have an option for setting the tolerable range of temperatures, that is, the range between where it turns on and where it turns off. Most people would want a narrow range of just a couple of degrees, but perhaps you could set find one that can be set for that huge range you're proposing (10-15 degrees). Sorry I don't remember the technical term for this tolerance factor, hope somebody will come along with the more technical version of this explanation.
On the other hand, I don't know of any thermostat that goes down to 45 degrees. You might use about the same amount of propane just setting your current thermostat to the lowest temp it's capable of.
Joanne
1994 Lazy Daze 23.5' TK
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M GO BLUE
Southgate, MI
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Joined: 01/29/2001
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What we do is turn the furnace on about an hour before we head to bed...when we are are ready for bed we turn off the furnace...we have 2 blankets on the bed...when we get up in the morning we click the furnace back on...works for us!
ERIC & BEV
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 dually CC/LB Duramax/Allison
2008 Jayco Designer 35RLTS
Built-In Onan 5500W generator
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coptalker
Western Colorado
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Joined: 04/20/2004
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If you have room to mount one of these they work great. Easy on the propane, no fan to use the batteries. Be sure to keep a window nearby cracked open. We've used these for years and love them, camping down into the single digits.
Good luck!
Glen
2004 Dutchmen 27BG, Rocky Mountain Elk Edition
2002 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 8.1/Ally
2 boys, 12 & 14
a friendly black lab
a couple of decks of cards
a cold beer
Life is too short to sweat the small stuff.
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jauguston
Bellingham, WA
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Joined: 07/03/2005
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I have plumbed a high pressure propane line from our coach propane tank to the front of the coach and have a Buddy heater setting at the top of the entry steps. The coach furnace is noisy. It is silent and requires no electrical power. We also boondock most all the time year around and not having the furnace run greatly reduces the battery recharge time. We crack open a roof vent a little and that takes care of the fresh air requirement for the heater. It is quite efficient as far as propane use. Sometimes if it is just cool outside just the pilot light gives enough heat to be noticed.
JIm
Jim, Sharon and Buddy the Yorkie
1999 Gulfstream Sun Voyager 31' ISB Cummins 210 uprated to 275
275 RV injectors
Trippe-Lite 1800w inverter 4-6v GC batteries
3- Kyocera 130w solar panels
1987 Suzuki Samurai tintop Toad w/VW 1.6 turbo diesel power
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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Many T-stats have an adjustment to allow greater (or lesser) temp swing
Alas, I've not researched makes and models.. I have, however, owned a few of those T-stats
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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