We never ordered the furnace as we thought we heard the fan for it draws electricity. Is that true? Also, its like $500! We thought if we had the furnace on all night the fan would drain dead the battery come morning. Is that the case folks experience? Is there a way to not run the fan/electricity, but run the furnace?
Thu, 09/22/2016 - 12:38
#1
furnace need electricity?
Olive,
The furnace will draw power to run the fan and if camping in cold weather it will be your biggest draw. How long it will go on battery depends on too many factors to calculate here, but it should certainly go through the night or two or three and then you are recharging the battery during the day if needed.
Only thing I don't care for is the Suburban furnaces that Scamp uses sound like a Jet Engine taking off when they run. I would definitely get it on the 16, but probably not on the 13 since those are so easy to heat with a cube or catalytic/propane heater.
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Is it the blower on the furnace that makes it so loud? Can the blower be turned off? I have an Empire gas heater in a cabin in Vermont and I don't even turn the blower on because it is not needed.The unit needs no electricity to run. With a small 13' foot camper you would think the furnace/heater alone would heat the space without the blower. Has anyone done a modification of the unit by disconnecting the blower unit? Seems like a waste of electricity.
Anthony Memoli
Greg is absolutely right, the Scamp heater is loud, very loud. We use a electric space heater as we do not boondock, but stay in full service campgrounds. The electric one has a thermostat and is much quieter than the jet engine sound Scamp heater.
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
Hi Olive,
"What Greg and Doug said." Ditto. But, having said which: if you're plugged into shore power somehow, you don't have to worry about electricity for the furnace. But then, if you're plugged into electricity, the space heater sounds like a much quieter option, and might possibly provide more even heat; though it's one more thing in a small space, to trip over. (I'm still going to try it out.) One thing about the furnace, as I've found out this fall, is not only that it's loud - I can put up with that, I semi-wake-up so often every night that three or four more times getting "near the surface" isn't going to matter - but that it gets *really hot* - like, you're sweating, and wondering when it's going to stop - before it shuts off. Plus, it seems to blow straight at the rear bunk. Uff da. Then if you happen to wake up again in the silence, you notice it's getting pretty cold before it kicks in. If ever there's an improvement in furnaces, I'll definitely check it out. I think the furnace needs to be quieter, and to provide a lot more even heat (possibly be adjusted to cycle in a smaller range - thermostat adjustment?).
Meanwhile, if you need a heater and you *don't* have shore power to run a space heater, and you want to be Out There when it's getting cold, you've gotta have something. I'm grateful that mine came with a heater and electric brakes. Both are useful, and I wouldn't have asked for either. (I just took a cancelation model that became available. Didn't make any decisions whatsoever about it, except that I wanted a 13' Standard.)
Two weeks ago, we returned from Minot, N.D. We were traveling with our 2016 13' Std. We decided to camp 3 nights on the cheap, the temperature dipped into the mid 30's. We used the furnace on battery power each night. We had no issues, slept like two bugs in a rug. I didn't hear the furnace every time that it light. When I'm sleepy, I sleep, if I not sleepy, I won't be in bed. (The front bunk is a plus.) We started with a full 20# tank of propane, over those 3 days and nights, we used 8# for heating and cooking. For Lilly and I, the furnace is a must.
From now until the middle of April, most of the northern camp grounds are closed. We try to be prepared. We travel with extra propane, a small generator and a jug of RV antifreeze in the back of the truck.
BTW, if your bucket list is long, you best get started on it.
Bob H. one of the Scamper Campers
A small electric heater is also a must !
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
Just wanted to add, If you want the best comfort with an electric cube heater you should also get a remote thermostat. They are a bit pricey, but are much more accurate at holding a level temperature, since the thermostat isn't attached to the heater. The one I use is a LUX brand and I find it quite accurate. I plug it into the outlet on the side of the kitchen cabinet, then plug the heater into it. Leave the heater set on low (750 watts) and the heater thermostat all the way on high. The LUX thermostat will then control the heater. It's programmable so you can have it vary the heat depending on time of day/night, or you can manually adjust it. I use it to keep the trailer at 45 degrees when not in use. This is as low as the thermostat goes, which is the only minor drawback to it. It is a digital thermostat, so quite accurate. Highly recommended.
Also, with the heater left on the lower 750 watt setting, I can place it underneath the table while in use. Out of the way and keeps my legs and feet nice and warm while sitting at the dinette. During the night, I still leave it under the bed, but pull it forward more, placing it on the edge of the "dance floor". Still keeps it out of the way, but no chance of it overheating.
Very useful info, Lyle. I bet lots of other people besides me never knew such a thing exists! Thank you.
We are very glad to have ordered our 13 Scamp with the furnace. We have lived and worked near airports for many years. The Scamp furnace does not sound like a jet taking off! Does the fan make noise? Yes, but it is a fan after all and moving air makes noise. We have the mechanical thermostat which has a wide on to off range. That does make for some cool to warm to cool. The new digital thermostat I hear has a smaller on to off range. We try to keep the inside temp around 55º to 60º range which works for us. The only issue we have is when standing at the sink with the furnace running "things" can get pretty hot. THe furnace fan draws very little electricity. We have used it for three days and nights plus lighting (all LED) with no battery problems.
I carry a small cube heater with me and have the scamp furnace. If i do camp where there is power i use the space heater, so i conserve my propane. The space heater i have is small and has no issues in storing it + it does not get hot to the touch and you can use anywhere in a scamp. Carl
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