Need heat in coach.....running two generators but blowing air, no heat

[Randy Brown]

I've recently invested in two Honda 2200's and paired them together. I'm hoping this can solve my cold RV issues when travelling in the midwest in winter.
I don't believe the issue is with my generators, but the lack of hear has me concerned.
Thermostats set to Electric heat, but have tried Gas heat too but cant get it warmed up. If I could maintain 65-68 degrees by running my generators I would be happy.
Mainly blowing air, not cold air but it's not hot air either. I thought this was the solution I've been needing.

ANY FEEDBACK certainly helps, RB

I have Winnebago View 2015, (Mercedes Sprinter)

 

[rvlifer]

What kind of heater is it and does it appear to be running normally otherwise? Is the furnace cycling on and off? Does the heater work as expected when plugged in to shore power?

Rv furnaces dont need a lot of power so i would be surprised if it was the generator

 

[gwinger]

Does the furnace work when on shore power?
Whoops duplicate.
The furnace on propane may not work with the air passing the intake and exhaust vent while traveling.
May also be that the sail switch is not making contact because of air flow over the vents.
The fan needs to run at high speed, or the control circuit will shut down the furnace.

 

[Randy Brown]

Does the furnace work when on shore power?
Whoops duplicate.
The furnace on propane may not work with the air passing the intake and exhaust vent while traveling.
May also be that the sail switch is not making contact because of air flow over the vents.
The fan needs to run at high speed, or the control circuit will shut down the furnace.

I'm never on shore power so I can't answer that....right now its sitting still, not traveling down the road, if that makes a difference. I have tried both electric heat and gas heat.
Somewhere there has to be a switch or type of adjujstment I need to make.....nothing close to warm air, even.
When its on electric heat the fan blows hard FYI.......RB

 

[Laura & Charles]

You likely have two heat sources: a rooftop heat pump that can provide A/C or heat and also a furnace that provides heat only (propane or diesel). Let’s establish what you have:
What make/model furnace? What make/model roof top unit?
And has this RV provided satisfactory heat before and this is new onset problem? Or is the RV (in winter temps) new to you?

 

[Laura & Charles]

If this is emergent, your generators will easily power an electric space heater until you fix the onboard heat sources.

 

[Randy Brown]

If this is emergent, your generators will easily power an electric space heater until you fix the onboard heat sources.

thats a good point.......I'll get one of those for the time being.

 

[dktool]

I'll take a stab at it without knowing more specifics...
The roof unit would be the source for electric heat BUT
your probably have a cool only roof unit.
The gas heat not working could be an inop sail switch, control board or even no propane..
Does the stove work ?

 

[ferfer]

Review of the 2015 Winnebago View 2015, (Mercedes Sprinter) specifications result in questions:

You do not have the Optional 45A generator (Cummins Onan 3200 KW) thus reason for Honda generators?

Specs list the 20,000 BTU furnace is 120V electric (Automatic) only. Please clarify if you do have a propane and electric furnace. If furnace is electric only you need 120V.

 

[Bobtop46]

Run the dash heat going down the road and the furnace when sitting still. The AC/Heat is worthless below 45 degrees out, as are most heat pump type setups. if it has heat coils "em heat" set it to that. If you leave it on normal AC/heat it will try to use the heat pump mode. What temps are you traveling in?

 

[Randy Brown]

Run the dash heat going down the road and the furnace when sitting still. The AC/Heat is worthless below 45 degrees out, as are most heat pump type setups. if it has heat coils "em heat" set it to that. If you leave it on normal AC/heat it will try to use the heat pump mode. What temps are you traveling in?

Right now its being stored and parked outside. I'm in Iowa and it's been in the teens for about 3 weeks, even a bit colder on some days. My motivation for getting the two Honda's is that would replace being plugged into shore power this winter, but if they are worthless below 45 degrees how is it possible or reasonable to do RV living in the midwest in the winter?
--One thought is a big space heater that would run off the Honda's. I go through so much propane because the tank is small that I don't really see my unit's generator as the solution.
The only other way I can see to heat it is from the dash when driving and at non-driving times, run a space heater.
Thoughts?
Thanks, by the way too

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

if they are worthless below 45 degrees how is it possible or reasonable to do RV living in the midwest in the winter?

Start with how many people are effectively doing it. Then consider what they have to do to mitigate the issues of keeping up with frozen plumbing and condensation. From there you can decide on your definition of possible and reasonable.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Kirk]

thats a good point...

Are you using the heat pump and electric heat strips in the air conditioner? Have you tired using the propane furnace?

--One thought is a big space heater that would run off the Honda's. I go through so much propane because the tank is small that I don't really see my unit's generator as the solution.

Your generator uses propane for fuel? The paired Honda generators should be able to match the power from the onboard generator.

 

[rvlifer]

how is it possible or reasonable to do RV living in the midwest in the winter?

our standard rv propane furnace keeps our rv comfortable as low as zero degrees. To save propane we use a mr heater, the fireplace, and occasionally an electric space heater. I made it through a winter in colorado without the main furnace running extra electric space heaters but it was pretty stressful and not as comfy. Luckily it was a mild winter that year.

most rvs arent built for cold weather regardless of the marketing claims. If i didnt have a "custom" rv with a lot of stuff to make it work better in the cold i wouldnt want to spend any time in it if it was below freezing. Even with every cold weather feature known to man wintering in an rv is a challenge. Can be done but it isnt for everyone.

I took a quick look at the specs and options on your rv but didnt see anything related to 4 season prep. What is on your rv for cold weather camping? Do you have an insulated, heated underbelly, holding tank heaters, double pane windows, etc?

 

[old RV guy]

Right now its being stored and parked outside. I'm in Iowa and it's been in the teens for about 3 weeks, even a bit colder on some days. My motivation for getting the two Honda's is that would replace being plugged into shore power this winter, but if they are worthless below 45 degrees how is it possible or reasonable to do RV living in the midwest in the winter?
--One thought is a big space heater that would run off the Honda's. I go through so much propane because the tank is small that I don't really see my unit's generator as the solution.
The only other way I can see to heat it is from the dash when driving and at non-driving times, run a space heater.
Thoughts?
Thanks, by the way too

Just a thought but extra propane bottles with a fitting to your onboard propane plumbing might be the better solution. Couldn't cost more and would be way less a pita than generators.
Some type of easily erected skirting and reflectex cut for the windows wouldn't hurt either.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I think I've pieced together what coachrb18 has for power and heat. There are paired Honda 2200's which should produce the equivalent of 30A/120v shore power (3600 watts). Apparently being used instead of the standard 3600W, propane-fueled, onboard Onan generator of his 2015 Winnebago View. Either one should produce adequate of power. Not sure why he bought the Hondas when he already has the onboard Onan, but that's his choice and not relevant to the heating problem.

His coach apparently has the optional 120v heat pump because he has the choice of Electric or Gas heat. Electric would be the 120v heat pump but those produce little or no heat below about 38-40 degrees ambient temperature, so not a useful heat source when the weather is in the teens. Don't try to use it for heating unless the outside temperature is at lest 40.

The Gas Heat mode would be the standard 20,000 btu LP gas furnace. That should produce warm air at the heat ducts, but that's not a lot of heat in the outside temperatures he describes. I would expect that furnace to run non-stop and still barely manage an interior temperature in the mid 60's. Few RVs can heat themselves adequately when the daily temps rarely exceed 20 F.

I would augment the gas heat mode with a 1500W electric space heater. That's an extra 5000 btus of heat that can be focused where needed. Between that and the gas furnace, I would expect the interior to reach 68-70 degrees in that weather. Unfortunately, he does not have enough 120v power or internal wiring to add a second electric heater.

He asks "how is it possible or reasonable to do RV living in the midwest in the winter?". The answer is "it's not", at least not with factory standard models and equipment. Some high end models may have better insulation and enhanced heating capability, but even those would struggle in the weather he describes.

 

[John From Detroit]

For electric heat: You will need to tell us which of several electric heat systems you have.

For the Furnace (propane) There are a couple of files in the Forum library (one by me one by Gary as I recall) that step by step through the furnace startup sequence.. At what point in that sequence does it fail... Assorted causes.

Two Honda 2000's is about 30 amp service continuous (NOTE About) so should run one or possible 2 1500 watt space heaters.

 

[DutchmenSport]

I read this entire thread and still am not clear what type of heat system you have. Are you running a heat pump on the roof of your camper that's built in with your roof Air Conditioner (all one unit) and the ducts are in the ceiling of your camper?

Or, are you attempting to use an RV furnace, forced air, that is powered by a 12 volt DC for the fan and runs on propane? And the ducts are on the floor of your camper, or near the floor?

Or do you have a gas furnace with an electric heating element built into it? (again, forced air, ducts on the floor).

Another question? Does your camper have slide-outs?

 

[gwinger]

I read this entire thread and still am not clear what type of heat system you have. Are you running a heat pump on the roof of your camper that's built in with your roof Air Conditioner (all one unit) and the ducts are in the ceiling of your camper?

Or, are you attempting to use an RV furnace, forced air, that is powered by a 12 volt DC for the fan and runs on propane? And the ducts are on the floor of your camper, or near the floor?

Or do you have a gas furnace with an electric heating element built into it? (again, forced air, ducts on the floor).

Another question? Does your camper have slide-outs?

The electric heating element in the rooftop unit is basically a 120volt, 5000 btu heater. Not much heat for cold weather. The propane furnace is probably 25-30,000 btu's.

 

[Bobtop46]

My response was based on two things. The first: trying to run the roof AC/Heat pump "while travelling" which sounded to me like going down the road, not plugged in. The second: was when stationary, and plugged in.

The only thing to add at this point is run the onboard gen, while going down the road, dash heat and a portable heater with tip over off switch. Do not run the roof AC/Heat going down the road in those temps.

Sitting still do as Gary said, run the furnace and portable heaters is the best you can do.