Toasty Furnace!

[southpennrailroad]

I know it's early in the winter season but can you tell any difference now that you have some insulation installed vs last winter?

stay warm

pete

A little but still plan on doing the doors next.

[48Rob]

Thanks Bruce!

Rob

[mskobier]

Hi Russ,
Looks like winter is here again!. The Grandkids, Wife and I camped out on the back side of the property Friday night to test the new sleeping platforms. Everything went well and the kids had a great time. At first, they were a little concerned that the platforms would colapse on top of them, but after a while, it was a non issue. The 12K Atwood kept the trailer toasty. We had a nice campfire and the neighbors came over and we had hot dogs, smores, and generally enjoyed the fire. All in all a great time was had by all!

The wood box over the furnace looks great!. A very nice place to warm the feet.

I still have not yet insulated the rear doors on my CT. Hopefully sometime this winter. I have been putting it off knowing I will have to completely rebuild the doors when I go to insulate them. The rear doors are my largest heat loss area at this point. Hopefully, your rear doors will be in better shape than mine.

Did you ever get a stand alone battery charger to keep your batteries charged, or are you still using the 12v tap from the generator?

I picked up a switch mode battery charger this past June. It is rated at 40 amps and can take a mostly discharged battery back to almost full charge in a little over 3 hrs. I also picked up a CPE 2000 inverter generator (similar to the Honda you use) a couple of months ago for a good price. I had to repair it, but it works perfectly now. It also has the 12v tap, but only delivres about 10amps max to the battery.

Great to hear you have at least some insulation in the CT now. I think you will probably see a little improvement in the cycle times of the furnace. It will probably run about as long on each cycle as last year to bring the temp up, but should cycle a little less often.

I picked up anothe 30lb propane tank at the local salvage yard last weekend. It cost me $5.00 at scrap price. After I had the valve replaced and the the new inspection sticker, which cost $30.00 at the local propane supplier, I am into the tank for $35.00. When filled it holds about 2 more gallons of propane than the 20lb (BBQ) tanks. That should give me an extra 1.5 days between bottle changes.

Anyway, good to hear you are doing well. Hopefully, this winter will not be as problematic as last winter. Are you still planning on going south for the winter or staying put?

Take care,
Mitch

[southpennrailroad]

Got to go to Carlisle to do some work at the same time go to do more South Penn research at the Archives in Harrisburg. So made a little money and spend a little but not good was that out of three tanks of propane Saturday night as I got back into the trailer all were empty. But thank goodness I had fuel for the gen and have an electric heater. Warm for the night.
However I went to fill up the three tanks this evening and one is shot. Nothing could help get the fuel in. Have to trade it in. Have propane sitting in Somerset again this evening. back to work tomorrow in Pittsburgh.

[Pottercounty]

Safest Heater for a Teardrop I've ever come across. Camping last week, I woke up to a couple of 28 degree mornings. I have a twin sized electric blanket under a Duvet and that keeps me pretty warm but, the cabin temp was 48 degrees. I switched on the Pelonis and in 5 minutes the cabin temp was 80 degrees...

Here's a link for those interested..

http://www.amazon.com/Pelonis-B-6A1-Cla ... B000KKMCS8

[rowerwet]

I have been considering the window mount pellet stove, if you are already set up for an air conditioner the window mount pellet stove would be an easy replacement.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200446397

[southpennrailroad]

I have been considering the window mount pellet stove, if you are already set up for an air conditioner the window mount pellet stove would be an easy replacement.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200446397

Is your tear 750 sq feet? My trailer is 6x10=60 sq. feet.

[mikeschn]

I like the Atwood furnaces... I've been using them in my teardrops, and never had a problem with early cycling or battery discharge...

The Atwood 8012-II is Front Discharge with the the Ultra Low Amp. Draw of 1.8. This incredibly Low Amp Draw makes this unit the most Electrically Efficient Furnace of its type on the market today. This unit is ideal for those concerned about battery drain while in the wild.

And I'm not the only person that has used them...

check these out...

This is one of mine...



so is this one...


And here's how Q did it, in a traditional teardrop...






And If anyone else has one, please post a pic...

Mike...

[bdosborn]

I have an Espar diesel furnace, they use them in 18 wheelers so they don't have to idle their engines to stay warm:





Specs at 12 volts:

START UP:- 250 watts (21 amps)
FOR A FEW SECONDS ONLY during start up cycle

BOOST (after start up):- 30 watts (2.5 amps) 7,500 BTU/hr
For a few minutes only

HIGH:- 22 watts (1.84 amps) 6,150 BTU/hr
In very cold conditions could be for several hours

MEDIUM:- 10 watts (0.84 amps) 4,100 BTU/hr
When approaching desired temp

LOW:- 8 watts (0.67 amps) 2,900 BTU/hr
At desired temp

I got mine used off eBay a couple of years ago, I haven't seen many listed lately.

Bruce