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Topic ClosedKeeping Warm in an R-pod
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
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Posts: 6326 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Keeping Warm in an R-pod
    Posted: 09 Jan 2018 at 8:29am
Originally posted by voisj



Thank you. Do you think a larger heat exchanger such as 12"X12" would work to generate more heat? Instead of 64 sq. in. it would be 144 sq. in. of heat exchanger area.
[/QUOTE]
It may well work better, however the fan i used is an 8" and you may need to work out how to make a shroud to reduce it down from the exchanger to the fan. I like the 8" fan but if you follow Marwaynes plan he used 2 4" fans with a larger exchanger box. I went with the 8"x8 exchanger and fan because it fit well next to the furnace , uses the furnace grill as a return air, and allowed me to blow the air into the pod instead of under the bed. And the other goal was to use as little battery power as possible.
In the 179 I think my grill location would blow against the dinette seat? Couldn't that seat be removed for more floorspace? (and less seating).

Cheers, John
[/QUOTE]
Yes, the one seat could easily be removed. My wife like to use it for shoes so that might not fly.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
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voisj View Drop Down
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Joined: 19 Jul 2016
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Posts: 471 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jan 2018 at 9:50pm
Originally posted by GlueGuy

Originally posted by voisj

The 8 " (200mm) computer fan I had already, but on Ebay the fan is $13. 3 speed, Current: 0.08A, 0.17A, 0.3A I run mine on high.
Has anyone considered just replacing the fan in the furnace with this more quiet fan? I would consider this as an overall simpler mod, with the possible addition of modifying the ducting for the furnace to blow out into the living space instead of into the storage area.

 Remember this? worked well and all the heat blows out into the pod.
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John&Sue,SLO,CA
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voisj View Drop Down
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Posts: 471 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jan 2018 at 9:43pm

[/QUOTE]
Thank you. Do you think a larger heat exchanger such as 12"X12" would work to generate more heat? Instead of 64 sq. in. it would be 144 sq. in. of heat exchanger area.
[/QUOTE]
It may well work better, however the fan i used is an 8" and you may need to work out how to make a shroud to reduce it down from the exchanger to the fan. I like the 8" fan but if you follow Marwaynes plan he used 2 4" fans with a larger exchanger box. I went with the 8"x8 exchanger and fan because it fit well next to the furnace , uses the furnace grill as a return air, and allowed me to blow the air into the pod instead of under the bed. And the other goal was to use as little battery power as possible.
In the 179 I think my grill location would blow against the dinette seat? Couldn't that seat be removed for more floorspace? (and less seating).

Cheers, John
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John&Sue,SLO,CA
2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost
 
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Joined: 25 Jul 2011
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jan 2018 at 12:27pm
Originally posted by GlueGuy

Originally posted by voisj

The 8 " (200mm) computer fan I had already, but on Ebay the fan is $13. 3 speed, Current: 0.08A, 0.17A, 0.3A I run mine on high.
Has anyone considered just replacing the fan in the furnace with this more quiet fan? I would consider this as an overall simpler mod, with the possible addition of modifying the ducting for the furnace to blow out into the living space instead of into the storage area.



Nope, the furnace is a big squirrel cage fan, and HAS to move all that air in order to run. Literally. It has a sail switch, that is one of 3 safeties that have to be engaged before it will run/light. And that flow is required to balance the temps in the heat exchanger.
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Posts: 2654 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jan 2018 at 11:30am
Originally posted by voisj

The 8 " (200mm) computer fan I had already, but on Ebay the fan is $13. 3 speed, Current: 0.08A, 0.17A, 0.3A I run mine on high.
Has anyone considered just replacing the fan in the furnace with this more quiet fan? I would consider this as an overall simpler mod, with the possible addition of modifying the ducting for the furnace to blow out into the living space instead of into the storage area.
bp
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6326 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jan 2018 at 10:32am
Originally posted by voisj

Stephan,
I got the 8 x 8 heater core on EBAY for $39  (looks like they are out of stock on the 8x8) Search water to air heat exchangers. 

The 8 " (200mm) computer fan I had already, but on Ebay the fan is $13. 3 speed, Current: 0.08A, 0.17A, 0.3A I run mine on high.

The pump on ebay for $17 is a 12 volt, .5a that Marwayne suggested. TE091

The pump is in line, in the picture connected to the lower heat exchanger pipe.
And I put a shut off valve on this line next to the vent so i could close it off when not needed, (convection kept it warm even when turned off). There is also another shut off valve on the return line to isolate the exchanger and just for safety sake. 

I had it connected to the pod thermostat with a switch to fire either the furnace or the heat exchanger , But changed that to a simple thermostat by the bed for the exchanger. This way we can use the furnace to warm the place up fast if we were out for the day, and in the morning, and wifey likes things simple.
 The furnace grill acts as a return air and the exchanger placement means no hot air blowing under the bed. I am really happy with the results, our sewer pipe was frozen after night 2 but we were able to keep the pod right near 60 all night, But it wouldn't really go any higher than that. 
cheers John

Thank you. Do you think a larger heat exchanger such as 12"X12" would work to generate more heat? Instead of 64 sq. in. it would be 144 sq. in. of heat exchanger area.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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furpod View Drop Down
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Joined: 25 Jul 2011
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jan 2018 at 7:54am
Continues to be one of my favorite all time mods. We boondocked a lot in furpod, and probably would have done this mod by now.. Boondocking in the Lance is probably not going to happen.. Off grid has.. but it's a bit large to get to many of our old haunts..
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Posts: 471 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jan 2018 at 11:22pm
Stephan,
I got the 8 x 8 heater core on EBAY for $39  (looks like they are out of stock on the 8x8) Search water to air heat exchangers. 

The 8 " (200mm) computer fan I had already, but on Ebay the fan is $13. 3 speed, Current: 0.08A, 0.17A, 0.3A I run mine on high.

The pump on ebay for $17 is a 12 volt, .5a that Marwayne suggested. TE091

The pump is in line, in the picture connected to the lower heat exchanger pipe.
And I put a shut off valve on this line next to the vent so i could close it off when not needed, (convection kept it warm even when turned off). There is also another shut off valve on the return line to isolate the exchanger and just for safety sake. 

I had it connected to the pod thermostat with a switch to fire either the furnace or the heat exchanger , But changed that to a simple thermostat by the bed for the exchanger. This way we can use the furnace to warm the place up fast if we were out for the day, and in the morning, and wifey likes things simple.
 The furnace grill acts as a return air and the exchanger placement means no hot air blowing under the bed. I am really happy with the results, our sewer pipe was frozen after night 2 but we were able to keep the pod right near 60 all night, But it wouldn't really go any higher than that. 
cheers John
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John&Sue,SLO,CA
2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost
 
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68LC View Drop Down
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Posts: 9 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jan 2018 at 9:06pm
GoGirlKY;
At 38 degrees for a night time low, the R-pod furnace set at 60 will blow you out of the camper.  However, I would recommend putting a space blanket between the mattress and the bed platform.  Helps keep the cold and condensation out and the heat in.  Have had my pod down to 17 degrees F and have yet to feel the need for anything over the windows other than the shades it came with.  
Have fun!
68LC
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rawest50 View Drop Down
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Posts: 440 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jan 2018 at 8:52pm
Side note. Electricity is free at campsite if available. Gas is not. You pay.
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