BCM Community

Folks, I would like to see some examples of how people have installed propane furnace systems in their bus. I am not a big fan of the air inlets cut throught the skin of the bus. How about through the floor?

Pictures and lessons learned would be very helpful.

Thanks

Grant

Grant, I used an air handler with a heat exchanger connected to a propane water heater. Works really well to about 10 below. No hull penetrations except for the water heater vent.

I don't mind the small cutouts, and I like the idea of the exhaust going directly outside. As far as placement, ideally you want the "runs" to be as equal as possible. The airflow seeks the shortest runs first. Longer runs don't get as much air volume. One drawback is the amount of intake air it needs. The grill covers cut down the fresh air intake volume considerebly. Also have at least 2' between the exit of a run and the fresh air intake. I have two Surburban 4 outlet furnaces, (40K in the front, 20K in the rear) It's much easier to heat the rear than the front with all the glass. I ran one outlet from each into my "water" bay, and I have kept water from freezing @ -16* F. All my fresh/waste tanks and lines originate in the same bay. I have found them to be reliable but a little noisy. It's kinda like living next to a train track, after awhile you know the noise is there but get used to it.

Don & Sheila

I used a Atwood 36,000btu and yes it has the cut out door on the outside (the door is painted the same as the rest of the bus-isn't too conspicuous) since the furnace is mounted from the outside.  I built my kitchen cabinets with a 6" toe kick since my bus is a transit (22" tall underneath) for the duct runs.  The furnace is mounted near the floor level and the air comes in by the toe kick. I have 4 outlets from the living room to the bedroom and the one furnace heats just fine-although the coldest I've been in is 17 degrees.

On my truck, I'm going to use a Suburban propane furnace since they have remote exhaust outlet that is only about 2"x4" on the outside and the furnace is mounted from the inside.  Good Luck, TomC

Quote from: JWallin on October 01, 2011, 08:36:35 AM
Grant, I used an air handler with a heat exchanger connected to a propane water heater. Works really well to about 10 below. No hull penetrations except for the water heater vent.

What kind of water heater are you using?

TOM

My LP furnace sidewall holes are appx 3" diameter at most, not much problem there.