| [GMCnet] Space heat and water heat for the GMC [message #341407] |
Sat, 02 March 2019 11:38 |
glwgmc
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
Karma: 10
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Over the last week or so there has been much discussion about the inexpensive Chineese diesel space heaters. At $150 to $250 they are certainly cheap alternatives to the 30,000 and 40,000 btu furnaces that came in our coaches, but do not have anywhere near that same heat output and require the addition of a diesel fuel tank. These Chineese units appear to just be space heaters. There is a German combination space heater and water heater that operates on propane and uses very little 12vdc power that appears to be a good, although far more expensive ($1500-$2500) alternative. This unit is now being used by both Winnebego and Airstream in their MB chassis small motorhomes. Here is info from one review site:
"The benefits of the Truma Combi are numerous. First, the dual capable unit takes up half the space in your RV since only one appliance is needed rather than two. Small rigs, like truck campers, can really benefit from the smaller footprint by utilizing the extra space for things like storage or an extra battery. The other savings, of course, is in weight. The smallest offering by Truma—the Combi 4—weighs only 31 pounds. The combined weight of your typical American 30,000 BTU furnace and American 6 gallon water heater is 54 pounds (30 pounds of the furnace and 24 pounds for the water heater with an empty tank). That’s a pretty significant savings in weight, especially for truck campers when every pound matters. Moreover, the versatile Truma Combi can run on propane (a diesel version is also available), 12 volt power, or both. The amp draw of the unit is quite low, too, with an average power consumption of only 1.1 amps for air heating and 0.4 amps during the water up heat cycle.
The Truma Combi offers additional benefits to the owner. The Combi 4 utilizes a two-burner flame, making it more efficient by providing two temperature settings (the larger, more capable Combi 6 provides a three burner flame for three temperature settings). Moreover, the unit is nearly silent when it operates. Gone are days of being awakened in the middle of the night by the roar of your furnace. In addition, the heating elements of the Truma Combi are mounted outside the water tank not inside like the traditional water heater. If you’ve ever had to replace a corroded anode rod in a traditional water heater, you’ll really appreciate this feature. Not only that, but draining the 2.6 gallon water tank for winterizing is easier, too—all you have to do is flip a switch. Finally, the Combi has a programmable thermostat that makes operating the unit a breeze.”
At what appears to be about a 14,000 btu output, these units still have only about 1/3 to 1/2 the heat output of the stock GMC furnace but they do heat both the interior of the coach and provide hot water in one unit. If you add up the cost of a new heater and a new hot water heater you might find the benefits of this all in one unit attractive even though it may have to run longer to keep your coach warm in the winter time. The very low electric power requirement is certainly appealing.
Jerry
Jerry & Sharon Work
Kerby, OR
glwork@mac.com
http://jerrywork.com
Prevost Country Coach
Formerly 78 Royale with most everything done to modernize a GMC mechanically
77/94 Clasco that looked like it just left the Clasco facility. Loved them both.
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Jerry & Sharon Work
78 Royale
Kerby, OR
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