Picking a Motorhome With the Right Heating System for Winter Travels
Winter holidays are very enjoyable if you can always return to a warm shelter every day. This is why, for winter campers, and explorers nothing matches the feeling of a nice and cozy camping vehicle after a long day in the freezing weather.
To think of winter camping you must have invested in a motorhome, and rather than leave it parked you can drive around the street during cold winter evenings in a warm motorhome.
Traveling in a motorhome in cold temperatures requires extra space inside, therefore for winter journeys; it is advisable to pick a slightly large motorhome. This will ensure there is space to contain clothing and other extras that are usually not needed during summer.
Winter-proof motorhomes are very comfortable, as the vehicle is designed to endure winter conditions, so it contains essentials such as; a heating system, optimized insulation, and double-glazed windows.
How Do Central Heating Systems in Motorhomes Work?
A central heating system has small gas or diesel-powered heating units or boilers, often called air-blown heaters. You can mount it under a chair or in a closet.
If you have a high-end motorhome, it may also have a thermostat. So, you can set a comfortable temperature and let your device do the work, as when the temperature drops below the set temperature, the thermostat will automatically turn on.
Also, air heaters produce dry heat. It does this by drawing oxygen-enriched air into the burner and completely isolating it from the motorhome’s internal air.
Air is passed through a heat exchanger by a fan and distributed throughout the interior via ducts, and combusted toxic gases are discharged outside through the vents. Moreover, heated air is routed using a 12-volt DC power supply, so there is no need to connect to mains power to operate the central heating system.
However, you need electricity to start your heating system, so make sure you have enough battery charge to turn the heater on.
Components of a Winter Proof Motorhome
Frost monitor
An important component of a motorhome during the cold winter is the Frost Monitor or Frost Control. It is installed as standard in combination with the Truma Combi heater.
This safety valve protects the boiler tank of the combination heater, under normal conditions the frost monitor is locked. However, if it is too cold, the valve will open and the boiler will empty, this is to prevent damage to piping and boilers from frozen water.
Fresh water tanks and boilers are also emptied from time to time due to capillary effects.
However, instead of waiting until the temperature drops below freezing, the frost monitor is triggered as soon as the temperature drops to about 3 degrees Celsius, because the boiler must be emptied before the pipes freeze.
As soon as the valve opens, it closes again only when the temperature rises to about 6 degrees Celsius, it is, therefore, important to keep the vehicle warm enough to prevent the frost monitor from activating unnecessarily. On vehicles without a frost monitor, the water must be drained manually when the outside temperature is low and the vehicle is not heated to avoid damage to the equipment.
Diesel or LPG Fueled
Air-blown heating systems run on either diesel or liquid propane gas (LPG). Depending on the fuel source, the heater is connected to the RV’s main diesel tank or LPG system.
Controlled By Thermostat
After the air is heated by the fan and ducted, it may have a thermostat that turns on and off to maintain the desired temperature.
Ducting System
A duct system absorbs the warm air from the heater and distributes it throughout the interior of the motor home. The optimal duct system design has multiple ducts at floor and shoulder height. Strategically placed spots, including the bathroom, ensure even heat distribution and no cold spots or areas of condensation.
Easy to Use
Most air-blown heaters are fairly easy to use, but those with digital touchpads take some getting used to.
Cold weather is usually a good stimulus for understanding how a motorhome’s heating system works.
Home Batteries
Whatever the fuel source for heating, it needs a reliable 12V power supply to keep the fan heater running, be careful not to let your home’s battery level get too low.
Otherwise, you will not be able to start the central heating system or run the fans. Diesel heaters require 6-10 Amps for 30-60 seconds during the start-up phase.
Both the LPG and diesel pumps draw less than 1A when running, if the battery voltage drops too low, the fans and heaters will stop. It is also important to carefully monitor your vehicle’s battery in cold weather, this is because cold weather drains the battery faster and reduces performance. Winter camping in a camper usually requires more power than other times of the year, so it’s not a good idea to rely solely on batteries. At campsites, it makes sense to use the normally available shore power connections.
Lay the power cable so that it does not freeze to the ground or other objects. It’s also important not to run cables where snowplows or spreaders can damage them, always use a compatible power cord that is of the proper gauge and does not exceed the maximum allowable length.
If you plan to use solar panels on your camper in the winter, you need to make sure there is no snow or ice, also don’t expect the same yields as in summer. In winter, panels typically perform poorly, this is another good reason to connect to the power grid.
Find out everything you need to know about camper power and avoid heating.
Heaters to Avoid
The only heater you should use in your motorhome is a built-in central air heater or a small portable electric heater.
LPG heaters designed for home use are not suitable for campers. Installing this type of heater in a camper’s enclosed airspace is not only dangerous, but it is also illegal. It emits radiant heat, just like any portable camping gear.
Burning LPG creates two problems:
- Anoxia
- Carbon monoxide poisoning.
Both can make you pass out and suffocate you in your sleep. For this reason, do not use an open oven or his LPG-powered stovetop as a temporary heater.
Conclusion
Winter is a difficult time of the year with more to think about and care for than the warmer months. Still, it’s worth taking a trip in the ice and snow.
While traveling on your RV, some tasks don’t require a serviceman’s expertise if you’re fairly proficient at DIY.
- Vacuum regularly around the heater, especially around the air intake, to keep the airflow clean.
- Inspect the heater’s external intake and exhaust vents for insect nests, dirt, and mud.
- Even if you don’t use your RV heater regularly, just start it monthly and let it run for about 30 minutes to keep it running.
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