179 heater vent
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=6344
Printed Date: 21 Jun 2025 at 2:23pm
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Topic: 179 heater vent
Posted By: funks
Subject: 179 heater vent
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2015 at 7:12pm
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Replies:
Posted By: funks
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2015 at 7:17pm
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I got the pictures on but was unable to set the type. I was trying to get the heat from under the bed out into the room.  photo one shows cardboard model of duct. photo two and three show metal work of duct sorry no photo of finished and painted duct with hi temp paint installed duct(duct can be removed very easily)
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2015 at 8:15pm
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Nice mod. ------------- 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: Leo B
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2015 at 8:38pm
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nice work! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: fonseca179
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2015 at 9:40am
| This is how it should have been from the factory. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2016 at 9:58am
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Great job. Either you are a welder, or are good friends with one. I have some questions though. How does the cold air return work with your setup? I can see how the hot air is diverted to the front, but I don't see how the cold air makes it back. Also, how did you fasten it in place?What kind of metal did you use for the duct? It looks pretty substantial. Thanks. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2016 at 1:53pm
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Yep, I like this one... ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: TexanBorn
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2016 at 10:44pm
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Yep, watching this one, cause I KNOW this will be needed! ------------- Angela Transplanted Texan 🌪➡️☃ First Time Trailer Owner, RP179, long time tent camper.⛺️ 2016 Dodge 1500 Laramie 💞 Gold Panner, Horseback Rider🐎 JRT Owner🐶 Wife💍, Mother 👨Oma |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2016 at 8:43pm
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I took a closer look at our heater. I can see one problem with your design. When you look at the grill, there is a small section at the lower-right of the grill. That is part of the cold air return, and should not be connected in the plenum with the hot air output of the heater. If that were addressed, the modification would be even better. I don't think it would be too hard to modify your design to box off the small section so that the hot air output and cold air return sections are separated.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: ronahue
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2016 at 8:49pm
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Looks like you did a great job on this mod but to be honest I like the heater the way it is. First you have all that storage when not using the heater and second when you are using the heater it warms the bed in the 179 very nicely. I am though impressed with the apparent quality of your work. ------------- Ron & Sharon 2015 R-Pod 179 2022 Nissan Frontier No trees were harmed in the sending of this message but a billion electrons were really agitated |
Posted By: funks
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2016 at 10:19pm
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Thanks Stephen I'll take a look at that cold air return your talking about. I know the heater is working real will but maybe I can get it working even better. I do all the welding myself but the metal is a little over kill. 14 ga. steel. The vent is easy to remove, only two srews. Happy Camping
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2016 at 8:44am
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If I were to do a mod such as this, I would add a ducted return through the cabinet side. If you look at the heater body, it has knockouts for ducted systems.
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2016 at 10:32am
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It has knockouts, but what I could not find are the parts (cover to substitute for the grill, gaskets, etc.) needed to convert it for ducted use. I think the knockouts are only for heat output, not cold air return. In the direct discharge model, the lower-right part of the vent and the gaps around the cover serve for cold air return. That air then circulates around the unit and gets pulled in at the back (the slots on the housing) to get blown through and out of the unit. It makes sense as it would help keep the body of the heater from getting hot enough to set the surrounding materials on fire.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |