jaken
Virginia
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Just received my new Atwood furnace and I think I can shoehorn it in to the available space. I have discovered that I now need a power converter to run the little furnace when hooked to street power. Any suggestions? I probably only need a very small converter....maybe 30 amps or so. Trying to keep cost down as much as possible. Thanks in advance for any help you fine folks may provide!
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Hi jaken,
Be sure to select a converter that is a three stage charger. Why? Because what you save on a cheap converter may cost far more over the years in house battery failures.
Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts Unisolar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries, 2500 MSW watt inverter.
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jaken
Virginia
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Yes. It's a 1976 Sunline 12.5 MC (Mini Compact) It had a furnace but the original owner had a problem with it in 1983 and threw it away.
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smokedummy
McLennan County Texas
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I know you already bought your furnace, so this might not be helpful, but can you still get the old-style furnaces with no blower like I have in my 1976 Prowler? I sure liked that furnace because it did not use any electricity at all.
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Wills250psd
walnutcove NC
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Are you installing it in a TT that has already had a previous furnace?
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smkettner
Southern California
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Low cost is probably the WFCO 9835 http://www.bestconverter.com/WFCO-9835
For a little more you can have a 30a IOTA that will generally be much better at keeping the battery charged. You do have a small battery right? 30a IOTA w/ IQ controller
An entire power center with 120v breakers, built in converter, and 12v distribution and fuses is not all that expensive either.
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RoyB
King George, VA
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The only cautious thing I can think of is to be sure to keep the heated part of the blower outlet at least ONE INCH above the trailer floor. Otherwise the very hot heated air at that point will scorch the heck out of the vinyl floor and may end being a fire hazard. If it doesnt fit well go up with the mounting not down level with the floor.
After you get it running check that area for excessive heat on the floor and maybe put in some metal flashing on the floor just in front of the heat duct. I noticed my fifth wheel furnace install was this way and it burned real good all around the front of the heat duct on the floor... I put metal flashing on the inside of the wall next to the furnace as well...
Just something to ponder - might not be a problem at all for your installation...
The cost for most power distribution center with a converter is around $150-$200 and what you will gain is a localized area for all of your 120VAC circuit breakers and multiple 12VDC fuse location. My old POPUP has a ELIXIR 25A model power distribution center and converter that had only one 120VAC circuit breaker and three 12VDC fuses.
All of the 12VDC wiring was grouped into three circuits and all paralleled together using many wire nuts and was a real big RATS NEST of wiring. Same for all of the 120VAC appliances. That wiring was all twisted together to use the ONE 120VAC circuit breaker. A big fire hazard to say the least.
Im not aware of your trailer and it may not need many AC and DC circuits so this might not be an issue with you ???
If you do end up getting a converter keep in mind you may want to get one that is a "smart-mode" converter that will re-charge trailer batteries in short 3-4 hour time frame running directly off a small generator. This is what you will want to have if you plan on doing any camping off the power grids for several nights and run most of your 12VDC items and lights and 120VAC appliances including the heavy power drain furnace blower 12VDC motor you are fixing to install... That guy will drain your trailer battery rather quick when camping off the power grid.
It never ends does it haha...
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - PM me
Roy and Carolyn
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Sunbird
Lizard Acres, Arizona
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When you get the furnace installed, check the propane connections by spraying a soapy water solution on them. If bubbles form that is sign of a leak. A gas leak out of control can ruin your whole day.
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jaken
Virginia
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Thank You RoyB! My camper is a little 1976 Sunline Mini Compact. The only 12 volt circuits required will be a couple lights, the new furnace fan I am installing, battery charger and the freshwater pump. That should be it. I see the Elixer 25 on ebay for $66. There are only two 120V circuits that I am aware of, the fridge and 3 outlets and they may be on the same circuit for all I know so far. What do you think?
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cpaharley2008
york,pa
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Elixir is out of business. Spend a little more and get progressive dynamics. Contact Randy @ Best Converter.
2009 Dodge Ram Hemi 4x4 11,300miles- lifetime warranty
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