Wave 3 install into Lance 915

Question

THought I would add my Wave 3 heater install to the internets.

On the past late season elk trip my furnace stopped relighting in the middle of the night, and the fan kept running. Turns out the board went bad. A Wave 3 heater ran about $75 more than getting a new board.

I still planning on getting a new board to run the furnace on sub zero nights to keep the black and gray tanks thawed (winter package).

I initially wanted to tee into the furnace gas line and place a bulkhead fitting and disconnect through the wall next to the furnace grate. However, I couldn't find a 3/8 flare bulkhead fitting. So I decided to place the quick disconnect inside the cabinets under the fridge, and ordered a hose from Mr Heater to place around the camper on it's feet. I plan on removing the feet and making two mounts to two different cabinets, just not sure where I want it yet.

It actually put out less heat than I thought it would, much less than my Mr Buddy. However I'm sure it'll be plenty once I get out camping in it. I have a 10 day trip coming in 4 days.

Here is the tee under the fridge:

Brass ball valve for shutoff

golden_hvac · Answer

This type of heater is not the quick heater like your furnace. You might also need to run the oven a bit or the stove burner to get the camper warm after a hunting trip, as the Wave 3 will take about 15 minutes to warm up. Still it will be warmer than being outside.

Same thing as the Mr Buddy heater - leave a window open about 3/8" and the roof vent 3/8" - 1/2". I have Maxx Air vent covers over all three of my roof vents, and I leave all three open just a small amount, to let some hot air out, and cool air is made up through the kitchen window, I am not to worried about rain coming in, it is all formica there.

I have the Olympic 6000 Btu model, on feet, with my quick disconnect coming out below my oven, to the left side, next to a wall, so I will not kick it. It has worked great since 1997. ..

Mine is on feet, and stored in the closet when not in use.

Good luck hunting and have fun camping!

Fred.

bigfootford · Answer

We usually run our wave on low at night. In 20+ outside it will hold the camper in the high 50's. When we get up I put the wave on high, turn own the furnace set it to 74 or so... after the camper warms up the furnace will not cycle and things are comfy in the camper. If it is cold outside 30+ we will leave the wave on low all day.

You will learn to fine tune to get the warmth from that wave.

Love to have the vent open and a side window by the bed.. Get that fresh crisp air and still the living area of the camper stays warm from the Wave's radiant heat.

Radiant heat is like a campfire. You can be 10+ feet away and feel the heat even with the wind blowing. Try that with our furnace and see if you can feel the warmth.

I have found that having the Wave as low to the floor works better than up on a counter. Heat rises eh? Getting the floor a bit warm helps a lot.

When you are not using the wave make sure you cover it! Even dust contaminates the pad!

Jim

bigfootford · Answer

Ditto what Fred HVAC said, it does take15 minutes or more for the wave to get going.
Always leave it on high for about 30 min. before you turn it on low. That gets the pad really cooking.

I always open the door when it is initially starting, giving it about 3-5 min to get burning good.
That way any fumes will be removed.

If the wind is coming in the door then you may have trouble getting the pad to fully ignite!

I will add that it does take a couple of hours running for the smell of the parts etc to out gas...
I ran mine with the door open...

Jim

vinsil · Answer

My next upgrade with solar. Curious to hear how it works for you....and if you would have went with a wave 6....

bigfootford · Answer

Vinsil wrote:My next upgrade with solar. Curious to hear how it works for you....and if you would have went with a wave 6....Solar?  Haw no question how good it is.  Most trips we do I have never needed to run the gen, and I do not use the trucks engine to assist charging when traveling.Last year we did 8 weeks to Alaska... No shore power needed...  Some of us have found that with solar, led lights, led tv we do not even need 2 batteries.I run 1 100ah AGM...  We charge phones, laptops etc, watch tv 2 hrs at a time but not every day.Winter, solar and all the 12 vdc things we do stated above and the Wave to provide a majority of heat we do not need the gen, shore power.  The solar keeps us charged.  There are some stormy days that we have needed to do the Gen or shore power.My daily 12vdc loads are &lt;&gt;15-20 non need for the furnace and 20-25 using the furnace for heat assist in the mornings or when we have left the camper for the day and return at night.Most of our furnaces pull 6-8 amps...  Every hour you use it will be about 3-4 AH.. cycling on and off...  So over a 12 hr span.... 12X3 is 36 AH.... There you can see the problem eh?Yea for the wave!  Leave it on low and go have fun!  No furnace.Jim

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Wave 3 install into Lance 915

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