Over in the C Forum, there is a question posed about what to order on a new rig. One of the suggestions was for a two-stage propane furnace. I see that Atwood makes one for RV's (http://www.atwoodmobile.com/furnaces/excalibur-8500-iv-series.asp. The Excalibur models. Does anyone have one of these and if so....yes/no? I am thinking of being able to lower the power consumption? And with a two stage, maybe be rid of that off and on thing, but have a more constant low heat output, low noise fan, too.Any thoughts?Gary Haupt

I do a lot of boondocking, and as such most of the time that the furnace is running is using precious battery power. And it is noisy. I would rather have a higher heat output for a very few minutes, then shut it off.When not boondocking, I am in a campground with hookups, and then use a electric heater, and don't hear that fan at all! Also when boondocking, my Olympic 6000 Btu catalytic heater is on if it is below 45F outside, and I don't cycle the furnace much, until below 25F outside. So the two stage will not do me any good at all. Fred.

The two stage furnace was std eqpt in my former Lance 981Max TC. I loved it and wish I had it in this TT.

Yeah, Golden..all mine is boondocking too..never campgrounds, although for the next three weeks, that is going to change, anyway..back to the furnace...so, you don't think that a two stage would keep your unit warm? I am presuming that the temp would fall back, but perhaps not rapidly? I gotta call Atwood.Gary Haupt

Gary, I think Golden's point is that he would rather have a furnace come on full force with maximum heat output for a shorter period of time, thus reducing the draw on his battery as the fan comes on. His thinking, I believe, is that a lower stage would need to cycle more often.

They are excellent. If the temp is way off where you have it set it will come on on high speed until it is within a couple degrees of where you have it set. Then it will drop to half speed and half burn. Quieter than the hydronic heat systems. Constant even quiet heat. . An excellent drop in replacement for other Atwood furnaces. I've sold a few RV's with them and when my Atwoods die I'll replace them with these. Good luck.

A new two-stage furnace? | Good Sam Community

pianotuna
Nomad III
Aug 28, 2014
Hi Gary,

So how is the two speed furnace?
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Aug 22, 2014
garyhaupt wrote:
Here you go Charlie..

http://rvecafe.com/heat.html

Gary Haupt

No, not really. That heater still has a flame inside of the RV. I'm not even sure it's vented to outside. The one I had was just a flame inside of a sealed box and that box was vented to outside the camper. The radiated heat from the box was enough to heat the camper. Quite common back in the early days. Wonderful idea. No flame, no propane, no CO2, inside the camper.
Handbasket
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
I have a direct-discharge (no heat ducts) Suburban brown-box-of-noise battery sucker in my little C-minus. The sound of it cycling in the middle of a quiet night is guaranteed to wake the dead. I considered a Propex, but hate to think of the work installing it.

I don't mind sleeping in the cold; a watch cap, long johns, and a few extra blankets take care of that. I just hate A) getting waked up by that dam' jet engine blast half-dozen times a night, and B) getting up in the cold. Simple solution? Yep. Re-located the thermostat so I can reach it easily from the bunk.

I may look at rigging something more up using the water heater and some water-cooled computer components this winter, but I want to give this a good try out first.

Jim, "Don't forget to feed Schrodinger's cat before you go out."
garyhaupt
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
I have an Atwood...what model I have no idea. The one I bought is the Atwood Excalibur 23/34, part number 791831, if anyone is interested. And that's the digital stat and all bits and pieces.

If you are going to look for one, maybe talk to the poster from NV..although sales are not Forum allowed, so you'll need to move queeeek. You need to know what model his is and if it would work in your application.

And I am not installing nuthin...I have troubles just tying my boots. Marty? At Park RV will have the joy. He figures a couple hours. Seemed like a nice gent on the phone, too.

Gary Haupt
jtwcummins
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
I have one purchased for my 5th wheel. Wife passed and downgraded to a small travel trailer. The unit comes with it's own thermostat, digital. Won't work right unless it is installed. Mine is complete, never installed and has the exterior cover, also required to install. Nice thing is all maint can be done w/o removing. I will sell the whole thing for $500.00 plus any shipping. New cost for everything was almost $1k

email jtwcummins@gmail.com
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 21, 2014
Please give a report on install issues and performance :B
What furnace do you have now?
garyhaupt
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
Done...ordered to an RV centre in Cody, Wy. Have it installed the 18th.

Gary Haupt
garyhaupt
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
Here you go Charlie..

http://rvecafe.com/heat.html

Gary Haupt
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Aug 21, 2014
My first older RV had a furnace with no fan. It just burned propane and radiated heat. For the smaller RV's I like this was a wonderful thing. Quiet, efficient, vented outside, and didn't use any electricity at all, not even 12 volts. I wish they still made them but, I fairly certain they don't make anything like that anymore. If anyone finds one like that let me know. Thank-You
garyhaupt
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
I am not looking at power conservation somuch, although that never hurts. It was to get a nice flow of warm air, not that blast to the pre-set, then shut-off till it's cold, then back on again..that and quieter.

I had an earlier an earlier C and changed to to a digital thermostat for the same reason with no difference, so I wouldn't looking to another digital to improve the situation.

Looks like I am just going to have it sent to an RV centre in Cody, Wy and have them do the install. I could have it sent home, but the cost runs the same, after shipping and border fees.

Gary Haupt