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| duo therm heater [message #226630] |
Tue, 22 October 2013 19:02  |
skip2
Messages: 544
Registered: September 2011
Location: Winter Haven,FL (center o...
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Just installed the heat elements in my duo-therm units and it may sound dumb, but is it basically an on/off deal? The heater selection is one speed and I believe the thermostat has no effect on it. Can't find a manual on line just install sheets. Any experience out there with this unit, I know the heat units don't do much good in Dothan 2013 weather but I'll deal with that when it happens.
Thanks,
Skip Hartline
74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
3.7 FD LSD, Manny Tranny,
Springfield Distributor,
2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
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| Re: [GMCnet] duo therm heater [message #226637 is a reply to message #226630] |
Tue, 22 October 2013 20:05  |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Skip,
IIRC from when I installed my Duo-Therm the heating element puts out 1500 watts and there is no temp control on it.
You are correct the heating element won't do much as 1500 watts converts to 5118 BTU. The typical GMC furnace is around 25-30,000
BTU.
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Skip Hartline
Just installed the heat elements in my duo-therm units and it may sound dumb, but is it basically an on/off deal? The heater
selection is one speed and I believe the thermostat has no effect on it. Can't find a manual on line just install sheets. Any
experience out there with this unit, I know the heat units don't do much good in Dothan 2013 weather but I'll deal with that when it
happens.
Thanks,
Skip Hartline
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: duo therm heater [message #226672 is a reply to message #226630] |
Wed, 23 October 2013 00:33 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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| skip2 wrote on Tue, 22 October 2013 17:02 |
Just installed the heat elements in my duo-therm units and it may sound dumb, but is it basically an on/off deal? The heater selection is one speed and I believe the thermostat has no effect on it. Can't find a manual on line just install sheets. Any experience out there with this unit, I know the heat units don't do much good in Dothan 2013 weather but I'll deal with that when it happens.
Thanks,
Skip Hartline
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Depends which du therm you have. My 1984 du therm sun chaser does have an adjustable thermostat for the heat ing element and works on all fan speeds. I prefer using my cube heater as the fan cycles off and it is less noisy.
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: duo therm heater [message #226677 is a reply to message #226630] |
Wed, 23 October 2013 06:01 |
skip2
Messages: 544
Registered: September 2011
Location: Winter Haven,FL (center o...
Karma: 3
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To reply to a couple of the replies, yes I did put a heat element in each AC unit, I have 2, also the controls only have a position which says "optional heat", Thanks for the answers.
Skip Hartline
74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
3.7 FD LSD, Manny Tranny,
Springfield Distributor,
2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
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| Re: [GMCnet] duo therm heater [message #226681 is a reply to message #226678] |
Wed, 23 October 2013 06:41 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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I've a Dometic with the heat pump option, it works well in the mild Southeastern US winters. If it gets much below 17C, the heat pump loses efficiency and the furnace is needed. In Gadsden last weekend, night temps were 16 - 19C and it kept my coach nice and comfortable. Last February whebn I was at a show at it was -8 - 10C outside, the furnace was necessary, the heat pump had no effect.
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
--------------------------------------------
On Wed, 10/23/13, Espen Heitmann <bimet@online.no> wrote:
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] duo therm heater
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2013, 11:09 AM
I do not mean to take over the tread but I have been
thinking of replacing my original AC with a Duo therm with a
heat pump, does anyone have any experience with it ?
http://www.dometic.com/enus/Americas/USA/RV-Products/climate/ac-display-page/?productdataid=108232
--
1973 26' Parrot green Seqouia in Norway
"Loffen" translates to white bread, it is also a nick name
for your.. well you know..down there.. and it was my dog's
name, but hey you can also call me Espen ;)
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] duo therm heater [message #226690 is a reply to message #226647] |
Wed, 23 October 2013 08:42 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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A,
I have two roof A/C's with each with 1500 watt heating elements that do not have temperature control so unlike the furnace they
don't cycle. Here's what I've found.
The thermostat in Double Trouble is mounted on the back of the bathroom wall above the twin bed on the driver side; it is about 5
feet off the floor which is 3 feet above the bed. I set the furnace thermostat at 68 degrees which keeps the temp at bed level
comfortable at night.
If the OAT is around 60 degrees and I turn on one of the electric heaters at around 6:00 pm when we eat it takes a good hour or so
for the temp to reach 68. I turn it on and off while we read or watch TV to keep it comfortable. If it is left on when we go to
sleep the temperature runs up to a level that is uncomfortable and we wake up in a sweat.
If the temperature gets down to the low 50's it just doesn't put out enough to keep the temperature comfortable so I turn on the
furnace as well.
I have never turned on both of them because according to the manufacturer they draw 12.7 amps each and that's 25.4 amps total
leaving 4.6 amps to run everything else in the coach on a 30 amp hookup.
If I was really keen to use them I would wire them into a thermostat that actuated a relay that can handle 12.7 amps @ 115 vac.
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of A.
It depends. I believe he said he put in two of them. That's over 10,000 BTUs. If the temperature is in that range where the
30,000 BTU OEM furnace would only cycle 1/3 of the time, the electric elements will be providing the same amount of heat.
If the temperature gets below that, it would be time to fire up the propane furnace.
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] duo therm heater [message #226696 is a reply to message #226681] |
Wed, 23 October 2013 09:19 |
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Loffen
Messages: 1087
Registered: August 2013
Location: Norway
Karma: 1
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Thanks Johnny
It only works down to 17 celsius ? that was not much, our regular heat pumps work down -10 to -15 celsius or 14 to 5 Fahrenheit.
Not unusuall with night temperatures down to 10 degrees celsius here even at the middle at the summer.
| Johnny Bridges wrote on Wed, 23 October 2013 13:41 |
I've a Dometic with the heat pump option, it works well in the mild Southeastern US winters. If it gets much below 17C, the heat pump loses efficiency and the furnace is needed. In Gadsden last weekend, night temps were 16 - 19C and it kept my coach nice and comfortable. Last February whebn I was at a show at it was -8 - 10C outside, the furnace was necessary, the heat pump had no effect.
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
--------------------------------------------
On Wed, 10/23/13, Espen Heitmann <bimet@online.no> wrote:
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] duo therm heater
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2013, 11:09 AM
I do not mean to take over the tread but I have been
thinking of replacing my original AC with a Duo therm with a
heat pump, does anyone have any experience with it ?
http://www.dometic.com/enus/Americas/USA/RV-Products/climate/ac-display-page/?productdataid=108232
--
1973 26' Parrot green Seqouia in Norway
"Loffen" translates to white bread, it is also a nick name
for your.. well you know..down there.. and it was my dog's
name, but hey you can also call me Espen 
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1973 23' # 1848 Sky Blue Glacier called Baby Blue and a 1973 26'-3 # 1460 Parrot green Seqouia Known as the Big Green,
And sold my 1973 26'-2 # 581 White Canyon lands under the name Dobbelt trøbbel
in Norway
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| Re: [GMCnet] duo therm heater [message #226723 is a reply to message #226696] |
Wed, 23 October 2013 12:15 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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Dometic noted this in the l;iterature that came with the machine. Newer home heating/cooling heat pumps are much better, and work to lower temperatures. However, if I had no furnace in my coach, I'd add an electric heater of fairly large capacity.
Now, water stabilized heat pumps are very efficient. I wonder, as long as you qwere in a park with water and serew......
--johnny
--------------------------------------------
On Wed, 10/23/13, Espen Heitmann <bimet@online.no> wrote:
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] duo therm heater
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2013, 2:19 PM
Thanks Johnny
It only works down to 17 celsius ? that was not much, our
regular heat pumps work down -10 to -15 celsius or 14 to 5
Fahrenheit.
Not unusuall with night temperatures down to 10 degrees
celsius here even at the middle at the summer.
Johnny Bridges wrote on Wed, 23 October 2013 13:41
> I've a Dometic with the heat pump option, it works well
in the mild Southeastern US winters. If it gets much
below 17C, the heat pump loses efficiency and the furnace is
needed. In Gadsden last weekend, night temps were
16 - 19C and it kept my coach nice and
comfortable. Last February whebn I was at a show at it
was -8 - 10C outside, the furnace was necessary, the heat
pump had no effect.
>
> --johnny
> '76 23' transmode norris
>
> --------------------------------------------
> On Wed, 10/23/13, Espen Heitmann <bimet@online.no>
wrote:
>
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] duo therm heater
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2013, 11:09 AM
>
>
>
> I do not mean to take over the tread but I have
been
> thinking of replacing my original AC with a Duo
therm with a
> heat pump, does anyone have any experience with
it ?
>
> http://www.dometic.com/enus/Americas/USA/RV-Products/climate/ac-display-page/?productdataid=108232
> --
> 1973 26' Parrot green Seqouia in Norway
> "Loffen" translates to white bread, it is also a
nick name
> for your.. well you know..down there.. and it was
my dog's
> name, but hey you can also call me Espen ;)
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
--
1973 26' Parrot green Seqouia in Norway
"Loffen" translates to white bread, it is also a nick name
for your.. well you know..down there.. and it was my dog's
name, but hey you can also call me Espen ;)
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
|
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| Re: [GMCnet] duo therm heater [message #226728 is a reply to message #226690] |
Wed, 23 October 2013 12:39 |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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Senior Member |
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| Robert Mueller wrote on Wed, 23 October 2013 08:42 |
A,
I have two roof A/C's with each with 1500 watt heating elements that do not have temperature control so unlike the furnace they
don't cycle. Here's what I've found.
The thermostat in Double Trouble is mounted on the back of the bathroom wall above the twin bed on the driver side; it is about 5 feet off the floor which is 3 feet above the bed. I set the furnace thermostat at 68 degrees which keeps the temp at bed level comfortable at night.
If the OAT is around 60 degrees and I turn on one of the electric heaters at around 6:00 pm when we eat it takes a good hour or so for the temp to reach 68. I turn it on and off while we read or watch TV to keep it comfortable. If it is left on when we go to sleep the temperature runs up to a level that is uncomfortable and we wake up in a sweat.
If the temperature gets down to the low 50's it just doesn't put out enough to keep the temperature comfortable so I turn on the
furnace as well.
I have never turned on both of them because according to the manufacturer they draw 12.7 amps each and that's 25.4 amps total
leaving 4.6 amps to run everything else in the coach on a 30 amp hookup.
If I was really keen to use them I would wire them into a thermostat that actuated a relay that can handle 12.7 amps @ 115 vac.
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
|
We seem to be on the same page. A bit dissappointing that these things are so drafty and poorly insulated that 5,000 BTUs can't keep them comfortable in OATs below the low 50's. The larger zone in my house is about 1500 sq feet and the 200 watt big screen TV running during the day, the refrigerator cycling normally and a load of dishes in the dishwasher timed to run in the middle of the night is enough to keep it comfortable in the mid 50s indefintely. A 5,000 watt heater running continously would easily keep those 1500 sq feet warm in OAT down to the 20sF.
Connecting the heat strips to a thermostat would be a good idea.
I hadn't considered being constrained to 30A service. But it is probably fairly common. That 4.6 amps you have leftover when running both heat strips is AC power, enough to run a 40A converter, which should be able to output more than 30 amps DC with that input. That should run everything DC and still keep the house battery charged, even if the fridge is not propane powered.
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| Re: [GMCnet] duo therm heater [message #226825 is a reply to message #226728] |
Thu, 24 October 2013 09:30 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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A,
You forgot about the 1500 watt water heater.
I can run both of them in the Avion as it has a 50 amp service. In the service panel there are two twenty amp breakers on one
switch. Each breaker services a separate circuit. The front A/C is run off one and the rear is run off the second.
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
-----Original Message-----
From: A.
We seem to be on the same page. A bit dissappointing that these things are so drafty and poorly insulated that 5,000 BTUs can't
keep them comfortable in OATs below the low 50's. The larger zone in my house is about 1500 sq feet and the 200 watt big screen TV
running during the day, the refrigerator cycling normally and a load of dishes in the dishwasher timed to run in the middle of the
night is enough to keep it comfortable in the mid 50s indefintely. A 5,000 watt heater running continously would easily keep those
1500 sq feet warm in OAT down to the 20sF.
Connecting the heat strips to a thermostat would be a good idea.
I hadn't considered being constrained to 30A service. But it is probably fairly common. That 4.6 amps you have leftover when
running both heat strips is AC power, enough to run a 40A converter, which should be able to output more than 30 amps DC with that
input. That should run everything DC and still keep the house battery charged, even if the fridge is not propane powered.
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] duo therm heater [message #226899 is a reply to message #226859] |
Thu, 24 October 2013 15:48 |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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Senior Member |
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| Robert Mueller wrote on Thu, 24 October 2013 12:15 |
A,
The bottom line is that I would have to wire each heat strip individually into a thermostat through a relay and I'd still have to turn the water heater off when I wanted to run both the heat strips. Actually I could get fancy and find a relay with NC contacts to feed the water heater which open when I turn on the heat strips.
Nah, I'll just set the furnace at 68 degrees and forget about controlling the temp of the heat strips and using both of them at the same time.
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
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Like many other "projects" here, you choose to do some things for the challenge, or to fight boredom.
Electric heat is not very efficient, so no disagreement with preference for propane. But for those that want to use electric heat when plugged into shore power, they can implement as many of "our" ideas as they choose.
What I dislike about the OEM propane furnace is the amount of power the blower draws from the house battery when dry camping. I wish there was an externally vented blowerless RV furnace like the ones for residential use.
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