Why no heat in the Winnie's bathroom?

[jazzin112]

Sent: 10/15/2006

Just a quick question...Why is there no provision for heat in the bathrooms of these things?  I am using our ElanDan as a "home away from home" during the winter at work (I work 59 miles away from home).  I have a camp area available with full hookups for free during the winter months.  Working rotating 12 hour shifts can be bad enough without adding an hour plus commute on each end, so I stay there during my shift sets. 

I use an electric oil filled radiator in the main cabin for the primary heat and it keeps it warm enough, and the propane furnace is available for more heat if necessary.  But the bathroom is always cold, and has no provision for heat.  I thought of a small electric ceramic heater, but floor space is at a premium in these things...aside from leaving the door open (which isolates the bedroom from the main cabin), does anyone have a suggestion?  That seat can be awful cold!

John
'84 ElanDan 31RT 

[Oz]

Sent: 10/15/2006

Yes, always had this issue with mine too.

You can cut vent openings in the walls/door to allow heat in.  Of course, that also allows the, um, undesirable odors to come out!  You can even install a small fan which draws warm air from the rig into the bathroom.

Or, install a small space heater.  It doesn't take much at all.  The ones that are like 8" square are perfect.

You could also run a duct from your furnace into the bathroom, a lot of work though.

The same goes for cooling.  Those bathrooms get hot as an oven in summer!  I ran a duct from one of my roof AC unit's outlets to the bathroom.  Easy operation and now it stays nice and cool.  If you have a heat strip in your AC, this would be the way to go for the best of both worlds.

- Sob 

[Cooneytoones]

Sent: 10/15/2006

I guess when our rigs were made...winter time was not a time to camp. And I don't think there were too many people living in RV's at that time.

This is the reason on most of the the newer higher end rigs they went to basement air and heating... so your plumbing and all rooms could be vented with a duct system.

It could be done with the construction of a duct system and an added furnace...but I personally would consult an heating specialist for this... Because not only heat is involved, the movement of air (CFM) is a very important factor in how a heating system works and there is a formula to size the ducting along with BTU's and CFM.....but as SOB said....mucho dinero and a lot of work.

"Pelonis" makes a small ceramic disc heater at around $89 ($80.99 the President's Club price) is pricey...but by far it is the best one made..and will last forever in the way you will use it.....It has a washable filter and is very small and also puts out a lot of heat and nothing is glowing inside...it has tip over protection and overheating can not happen with this wonder furnace....If you know anything about sound systems....this is the BOSE of furnaces.  Very small but, you wouldn't know it by the heat it puts out.

I've been looking for one myself for my back room which is not heated. I had one  there, it ran almost 24/7 for 8 winter seasons. A lot of dust and dirt in that room too. I had to clean the filter on the heater every few days. It finally conked out after one of my dogs used it for a fire hydrant (several times). Haven't been able to find one until just recently.

Camping World has them.......It is by far the best, most durable, and safest small heater available. sometime QVC will sell them for less, but I haven't seen them in a while, and I have a QVC Junkie in the family that has been watching for one of these for me for 2 years.
Here's the link for one at Camping World. I will be buying one before winter sets in. If not on QVC... Camping World will have to do, even at that price. They are well worth it.

www.campingworld.com/browse/categories/index.cfm/Outdoor-and-RV-Accessories/Maintaining-Your-RV/Heaters--Furnaces/Ceramic-Heaters/deptID=3:catID=174:subOf=17

Timmy 

[Cooneytoones]

Sent: 10/15/2006

just a little follow up note on the Pelonis furnace. It's been 5 years since my dog killed my Pelonis.  Since then,
I've had both the other furnaces listed on the same page as the Pelonis at Camping World....both were used in my back room  running almost  24/7 and one lasted one year, the other lasted 2 years...and another cheap one lasted one more year......I bought one of them instead of the Pelonis (which Home Depot had at the time) due to the price.....Well ..... IT'S TRUE..........
You get what you pay for......

Timmy

[ClydesdaleKevin]

Sent: 11/1/2006

When we install the new furnace in the Ark, I intend to run a small duct and vent to the bathroom just so Patti won't freeze her little buns off...lol!

I'm not sure how Winnie's bathrooms are, but on the Futura, the wall behind the bathroom is hollow for pipes and wires and whatnot, and even has an access hatch for the plumbing and wiring.  I'm going to run a pipe or duct behind this wall, and install a small vent near the floor of the bathroom, one that can be closed off or adjusted if it gets too warm in there.  It's certainly feasible, since we are installing a ducted furnace anyway.

Kev 

[Clyde9]

In my 69 D22, I can run a duct under the bed, or continue from the existing duct that is already there, through the water distribution area that Kev was talking about, and right to the bathroom. That's a Great idea. I think that I will do it!