Heater
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4541
Printed Date: 22 Jun 2025 at 9:20pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Heater
Posted By: Jayman and Splenda
Subject: Heater
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2014 at 1:09am
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We have a '14 177, and new to RVing. On our first and (so far) only trip out last year, seemed like the heater was kicking on constantly and the condensation was crazy, not to mention the propane usage. Next day we went into town and bought a small space heater to run off the campground's power. We live in Western WA. Anybody else have heater issues like this? Is a space heater the way to go, or does it sound like we need to get our heating system checked out? We were on the coast in October - so it was definitely brisk out to say the least :). I don't mind using a space heater when we're at a site with power, but obviously not an option if we're without. |
Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2014 at 8:02am
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All normal. The consensus here is to always, always crack open a window and crack open the bathroom vent to control the condensation via convection. Each human exhales/perspires a lot of water each day and without the open window and vent it all stays inside the pod. Most people use electric heaters in camp, too. The pods are very well insulated so if your heater was coming on fairly often in October you may need to check all over for unsealed holes. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2014 at 8:26am
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Not sure why your heater would come on so often. In cold, like 25°, weather ours might cycle on less than 10 times overnight. Wakes me up every time. So, yes, if you're paying for shore power, by all means plug in an electric heater. You'll stay cozy and not use any propane. Condensation will occur with propane or electric heat. It's one of the worst things for a pod. Open windows and the bathroom vent as much as necessary (it doesn't take a lot) to avoid condensation and air the pod out in the morning. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2014 at 8:41am
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Condensation? Due to the propane furnace? Something is wrong there. The furnace is a sealed system that vents outside - it shouldn't create any interior condensation.
------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2014 at 9:17am
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The condensation was probably just from respiration.The first time many people "camp" in the cold, in a closed space, they are surprised by how much moisture is in there. It is counter intuitive to open a vent and crack a window when it's cold out and you are heating, but in an enclosed insulated space like the pod, it's a must. Heck you put two people in a small tent that doesn't have good venting and the interior "walls" of the tent will freeze into solid ice walls if it's cold enough. You don't even want to know what it's like inside a tank, in the desert, in the winter with four guys and about half the space of a pod. ------------- |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2014 at 6:11pm
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Yup, all perspiration & exhalation, not from the furnace.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2014 at 7:47pm
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Welcome Jayman and Splenda. The others had all of the answers to the condensation issue, on the space heater if you are in a campground and hooked to electric the space heater is the way to go. Much less noise and you are already paying for the electric while not using any propane. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: Jayman and Splenda
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2014 at 8:13pm
| Thanks everybody for the feedback - sounds like all is normal. Will definitely make sure window/vent are cracked next time! |