Venting Propane Furnace & W/H on an MCI 102a3

[Doug1968]

Fellows,

I am installing a Suburban propane furnace and water heater in my 102a3. The way the doors are designed with the inner panel that swings when the door is open and closed makes venting through the doors somewhat of a challenge?

I am not familiar with the MCI 8's and 9 door design but would like to hear from those of you that have installed the propane systems into the 102 bus to learn exactly how the venting was accomplished. Any photos that you have would be appreciated.

Thanks for your help!

Doug

[TomC]

Typically you install both the furnace and propane water heater in the living spaces through the side walls (that's how S/S's are done).  It is cleaner to do it in the baggage bay, but you're seeing how to vent them is a problem.  Good Luck, TomC

[4905 doc]

my GMC had double walled baggage doors. found some round tubes with sleeves on back at Lowes. had to climb in bay and mark from the inside, but when finished, the bay doors slid over the furnace vents.

[luvrbus]

Doug, install both in the back bay and vent through the back bulk head toward the axle they have vent covers that open and close like a dryer vent ask Larry at Paradise Coach how they do that.

There was DL3 MCI at Bus'n USA done that way and I think he did it

[Doug1968]

Fellows,

I like the idea of venting through the bay door as shown in the attached photo, Thanks! The problem is with these 102 MCI's the doors have an inner panel that would require the vent to align and reach through both panels? May be difficult.

Clifford, I've already filled the rear bay with holding tanks?

I will see about mounting the furnace inside one of the interior cabinets. I think I can make it work. What do you think about mounting the water heater in the old A/C bay? Already has a screened door and I could build a box to insulate it from the ambient air?

This gets it further from the faucets but maybe I can devise a control that runs water back to the fresh tank until the warm water reaches the valve?

Your Thoughts,

Doug

[bevans6]

The problem with installing a Suburban RV furnace in the bays is that it's designed to be in the living space, so cold air return and hot air ducting works poorly in the bay.  Mine is in the bay, and it's sub-optimal.

Water heater is a different animal.  They typically need a large opening, and there aren't great solutions for that.  The rear axle bay is a neat idea, but the radiated heat is pretty extreme.

Brian

[edvanland]

We have a MCI 7 and out furnace is in one of the hall closets and vents straight to the outside. Works great.