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Old 11-10-2015, 06:21 PM   #1
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Furnace return air

2016 250rb. It looks to me like the return air for the gas furnace is under the refrigerator. Since I've already went through one bottle of propane quickly during this cold snap it occurred to me I could set an electric heater near the return air and leave the fan on the furnace set to on all the time and help out the gas furnace and also my propane expense. I figure I need hot air through the under floor ducts to help keep the tanks from freezing. Anything wrong with this plan?
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Old 11-10-2015, 06:59 PM   #2
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One night of low temps will not freeze your tanks even with a open belly trailer.
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Old 11-10-2015, 07:05 PM   #3
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Quote:
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One night of low temps will not freeze your tanks even with a open belly trailer.
I know this but it does nothing for my comfort or the cost of propane.
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Old 11-10-2015, 07:11 PM   #4
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We purchased one of these --
Lasko Electric Ceramic Tower Heater, 5775 - Walmart.com

This fall we had temps down in the 20s. It kept the trailer very comfortable.
If you have electric where you are set up, I think this would be something you would appreciate.

The tanks aren't the first thing that is going to freeze. The lines and pump are usually first. You can help this by leaving all the lower cupboard doors open. Especially around the water pump area. Also leave the ones under the sinks open.
Of course I'm talking about at night when the temps usually dip down the most.
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Old 11-10-2015, 07:24 PM   #5
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My water pump in not accessible without a screwdriver. It's under the nightstand next to the bed with the water heater. Does anyone know if the wooden grill under the fridge is the return air for the furnace as I think it is?
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Old 11-10-2015, 07:33 PM   #6
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I thought the wooden grill under the fridge was the intake air for cooling the fridge.
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Old 11-10-2015, 07:37 PM   #7
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I thought the wooden grill under the fridge was the intake air for cooling the fridge.
I wondered about that also but the furnace is under the fridge and I feel air movement sucking at that grill when the heat comes on.
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Old 11-10-2015, 08:53 PM   #8
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Also there are 2 registers in the bathroom wall above the toilet on the outdoor kitchen side. Walk through guy told me one was a register and one a vent to the outdoor kitchen
Air comes out of neither. I guess I'll. Look into that on my day off tomorrow.
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Old 11-11-2015, 07:28 AM   #9
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I think you are correct on the vent under the fridge, but I think the two vents near the toilet are for the cooling the outside kitchen fridge...
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Old 11-11-2015, 07:32 AM   #10
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Thanks.
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Old 11-11-2015, 09:20 AM   #11
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yes ,two vents in toilet cool fridge when out kitchen door is closed.(take out fridge and take off both vents and add a screen and screw vents back on over screening to keep bugs out and return the fridge)
Good idea about putting the heater blowing into the intake. It will not blow real hot air , but will help alot. Fridge cools from the outside not inside.
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Old 11-11-2015, 11:25 AM   #12
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Found out I ran out of propane so quick because I have 20 pounders. Will be taking the 30 pounders and the cover off the jayco and bringing them back with me sunday and put the 20 pound tanks on the jayco.
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Old 11-11-2015, 12:11 PM   #13
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X2 what Harley said re purpose of bathroom vents cept you can remove them from inside to insert screen matl. That way u don't have to remove outside refrig which is a pain. Just 3 screws hold the vent together.
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Old 11-12-2015, 10:13 AM   #14
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Quote:
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I thought the wooden grill under the fridge was the intake air for cooling the fridge.
Depends. Our furnace is under the fridge, and the grill is definitely the intake for it. Is your furnace someplace else in the unit?
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Old 11-12-2015, 11:01 AM   #15
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MY furnace is under the steps to the bedroom and that's also where my return is. My dog loves to lie on top of the steps where the hot water heater is also.
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Old 11-12-2015, 08:09 PM   #16
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Kingfisher, I noticed that also. Seems those two round registers or vents just go into the outdoor kitchen. Not sure what good they do. MYbe let out moisture.
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Old 11-13-2015, 07:40 AM   #17
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We had a propane tank go empty before our 1st outing with our new trailer, I found a loose fitting when checking the tank connections. That may not be the case with your TT but it wouldn't hurt to look it over real good.
I refilled the tank and didn't tell our dealer about their screw up.
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Old 11-13-2015, 10:47 AM   #18
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Doesn't hurt to go over EVERYTHING real good.

Mark, our WH is under the closet/drawers in the bedroom. Does a nice job of warming up my socks and undies!
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Old 11-21-2015, 08:12 AM   #19
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I bought an oil filled radiator at walmart for around $40, wife said they had one at their catering business and it worked real good.

Thing is great. I got caught in the rain at the refinery and it's great for hanging my clothes over and drying them out.

I had a leak at my range hood during the torrential rains and had 3 wet towels I put under the leak, it dried them out great also.

I didn't know the hood had a latching flap, I hadn't ever opened it. I had been running the hood fan with the door closed. It was kind of sucking the rain water into the trailer it seems through the place the air pressure pooched out in the bottom of the flap.
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Old 11-21-2015, 06:16 PM   #20
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Quote:
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I bought an oil filled radiator at walmart for around $40, wife said they had one at their catering business and it worked real good.

Thing is great. I got caught in the rain at the refinery and it's great for hanging my clothes over and drying them out.
We use two of the oil filled radiators and generally keep the furnace shut off. I don't like to waste propane to heat the basement and tanks when temps are at or above freezing. In fact we have camped for days with temps between 32 and 20 degrees and never used the furnace or experienced freezing problems.

Another trick is to use Lux WIN 100 controllers, they are true temperature thermostats, not the cheap heater 'thermostats' that are really just variable power settings. As temps drop overnight, power is increased to maintain temps and during the day, it will shut off completely.

Finally, using an electric heater blowing hot air into the furnace return intake is not the best idea because you are still using a combo of electric and propane to keep the basement and tanks warm even when it is not needed.
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