Posted 2011-05-01 6:15 AM (#133706) Subject: Running Furnace When Traveling?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
Is it safe to run the furnace when traveling? We go to a lot of local show that are within an hour of us and it's been chilly in the mornings. I have been turning on the heater in the LQ when we leave the house so that we have a warm trailer to get in when we arrive at the show. Is this safe?
Posted 2011-05-01 9:39 AM (#133707 - in reply to #133706) Subject: RE: Running Furnace When Traveling?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
A RV heater draws outside air for its combustion and ducts the spent gases back outside. There is a blade switch that will not allow any fuel to burn, unless there is a proper airflow, sourced by a fan.
As long as these requirements are met, your furnace will opperate. Many people run their RV furnaces and gas appliances whilst under motion. Any time you are stopped for refueling, they should be extinguished. Other wise, if there is a proper airflow available, they will opperate normally. Double check that your CO2 monitor is working properly and it's up to date.
Posted 2011-05-01 6:25 PM (#133727 - in reply to #133706) Subject: RE: Running Furnace When Traveling?
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Blackcows ... While many unsafe acts are committed only a very small fraction results in an injury. It's no comfort when you're the injured party.
Current cars have an automatic fuel pump shut off when the car detects a roll-over or collision. If you're traveling with your gas supply on, you increase the chance of a combustable gas leak in a collision.
I would suggest you use an electric heater to warm your LQ. You could even use a timer to turn it on a few hours before you leave. The electricity used will cost less than propane. Just don't forget to unplug the LQ LO....
Posted 2011-05-01 8:37 PM (#133738 - in reply to #133727) Subject: RE: Running Furnace When Traveling?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Missouri
I agree with the second post, the furnace has it's fail safe. Even if a gust of wind blew the flame out, which I doubt by the design, the furnace shuts the gas off purges and attempts a refire. As for traveling with the propane supply on, how else are you suppose to keep the fridge operating. And don't say 12v, our fridge doesn't have a 12v option.
Posted 2011-05-02 1:44 PM (#133760 - in reply to #133706) Subject: RE: Running Furnace When Traveling?
Member
Posts: 36 Location: The Natural State
The previous post referring to having the propane supply on to run the fridge while traveling made me wonder about safety during refueling stops. If you are running your fridge on propane, do you need to turn it off before fueling your truck?
Posted 2011-05-02 2:48 PM (#133761 - in reply to #133706) Subject: RE: Running Furnace When Traveling?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Missouri
You'll find in the fridge manual the mfg recommends turning off during re-fueling. How many do it? Probably not many, I know I haven't. But I pull up to the big boy pumps, and diesel doesn't just explode. I remember the first time I tried starting a brush fire with diesel, had to hold a small torch to it and then it just lazily ignited.
Posted 2011-05-02 6:41 PM (#133768 - in reply to #133762) Subject: RE: Running Furnace When Traveling?
Expert
Posts: 2614
I'd rather use the heat strips (if you have them) + furnace,or furnace and a small ceramic heater to heat mine up.I'd rather save my propane,and,I'm just weird,I guess,about going down the road with a furnace blowing inside my empty LQ trailer in spite of what safety options I know are in place on the furnace or what anyone else does.
Running Furnace When Traveling?
