Roof Top Heat Pumps

[DrivingMissLazy]

Here in NW TN, the temp this morning is around 30° and our 2 1500W space heaters are keeping the inside of our 4103 a toasty 76°.

One is on low and the other is on high. We also have 3 fans running to distribute the air throughout the bus, otherwise the floor gets somewhat less than comfortable.

We've been in temps as low as -8°F and the two heaters will keep the interior in the 50° to 60° range, depending on the wind. As Chuck says, a blast of heat from the propane cook stove while fixing breakfast brings it all back up to comfy levels again.

Keep Warm!

Dallas

Dallas, I have read several places in the past that a six or eight inch clay flower pot inverted over a gas range burner does a great job in converting the burner into a great heater. I never really needed to try it, so I do not know for sure. How about running a test as see if it really makes a difference?

Richard

[Dallas]

Here in NW TN, the temp this morning is around 30° and our 2 1500W space heaters are keeping the inside of our 4103 a toasty 76°.

One is on low and the other is on high. We also have 3 fans running to distribute the air throughout the bus, otherwise the floor gets somewhat less than comfortable.

We've been in temps as low as -8°F and the two heaters will keep the interior in the 50° to 60° range, depending on the wind. As Chuck says, a blast of heat from the propane cook stove while fixing breakfast brings it all back up to comfy levels again.

Keep Warm!

Dallas

Dallas, I have read several places in the past that a six or eight inch clay flower pot inverted over a gas range burner does a great job in converting the burner into a great heater. I never really needed to try it, so I do not know for sure. How about running a test as see if it really makes a difference?

Richard

Richard,

We might try that if I can pry Donna's (BK's Mom) fingers from around some of her precious pots. I'm not sure it will matter much with the temps we're in because we seldom run the stove except for cooking. That's why it works so well in the morning. There's nothing like the smell of bacon or sausage and fried taters and eggs to warm a person up first thing in the A.M..

For those that have propane ovens, we had a difficult time baking in the camper sized unit because no matter where you put the rack, one part of what ever was baking would burn and the rest would be raw. Our fix for the problem was to add 2 - 12" x 12" terracotta tiles to the floor of the oven as added mass for the burner to heat up. Now we have no problem with burning... I can burn everything evenly.

Cody,
Just wait 'till you come over the next time... I'll make sure I spread my cold virus to you. After all, what are friends for?

Dallas

[TomC]

Just got back from Las Vegas where it was in the low 30's every night.  Being hooked up to 50 amps, I ran a portable electric Vornado heater (with tip over switch) all the time.  It made for a nice 70 degrees inside, but when it lost ground had the propane heater set at 65 to help out.  If I had two of the electric heaters, the propane heat would have never come on.  Personally- a portable heater is a whole lot cheaper than the heat pump option and a whole lot quieter.  Good Luck, TomC

[Lin]

Dallas,
     I am curious about your tiles in the oven idea.  Did you actually line the bottom with the tiles and just sit them there one on top of the other?

[Dallas]

Dallas,
     I am curious about your tiles in the oven idea.  Did you actually line the bottom with the tiles and just sit them there one on top of the other?

We just used 2 12"X12" tiles one on top of the other on the floor of the upper part. It lets the oven cycle less and keeps the temps more uniform.
Now we can bake bread without burning the bottom or having the inside raw.

Dallas

[DrivingMissLazy]

I mentioned the clay flower pot idea for those who need some supplemental heating occasionally and use one of the range burners to provide some additional heat in the bus. It is my understanding that the clay pot absorbs the heat from the gas burner and then radiates the heat out into the coach to provide a much better conversion of the heat from the burner.

Richard

[scanzel]

Lets not forget that when we are running a gas burner we are creating carbon monoxide and need proper ventilation. Don't want to find a bunch of dead boddies in a closed up bus in Walmarts parking lot.

[Dallas]

Lets not forget that when we are running a gas burner we are creating carbon monoxide and need proper ventilation. Don't want to find a bunch of dead boddies in a closed up bus in Walmarts parking lot.

That's why we usually only use the gas stove for heat while cooking something else.
After all, not only is being warm nice, but, fresh, hot, oatmeal raisin or chocolate chip cookies get my tummy tum nice and comfy too!

Dallas

[NJT5047]

That's why we usually only use the gas stove for heat while cooking something else.
After all, not only is being warm nice, but, fresh, hot, oatmeal raisin or chocolate chip cookies get my tummy tum nice and comfy too!

Dallas


YUM YUM!  COOKIES and beer...ummm, malt beverage!  What's a few dead bodies when they interfere with fresh baked COOKIES!!!   I suppose WalMart  would have a problem with finding dead busnuts (or any other nuts?) lying about in their parking lot.  We wish to avoid that! 
Install a couple CO detectors and bake!  And stay warm.   

JR

[JohnEd]

Tom,

Just got back from Las Vegas where it was in the low 30's every night.  Being hooked up to 50 amps, I ran a portable electric Vornado heater (with tip over switch) all the time.  It made for a nice 70 degrees inside, but when it lost ground had the propane heater set at 65 to help out.  If I had two of the electric heaters, the propane heat would have never come on.  Personally- a portable heater is a whole lot cheaper than the heat pump option and a whole lot quieter.  Good Luck, Tom

I am with you there.  I used those for years and loved it.  Also, ran a small/tiny fan directed at the ceiling and that destratified the air in the entire 30 foot coach.  That meant my feet were as warm as my head. (but my head still smelled better) ( mostly cause that is where my nose is located)

I also heated with a propane furnace and that appliance amazed me.  So much heat from that little tiny box and it didn't cost much to operate.  If it weren't for heating that engine and hot water a ProHeat wouldn't be on my list at all.

Thanks again Tom,

John