Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Thinking of dumping the propane tank and going all electric (Don't have a 3 way fridge.)
Thinking of dumping the propane tank and going all electric [message #263365] |
Sat, 04 October 2014 19:18 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565 Registered: July 2012 Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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We've had the coach for 2 years and have never used the furnace (it does work) or been anywhere where we needed it. Further, we don't plan on taking the coach anywhere where we would need a furnace...at least not on purpose. Our AC has a built in heat strip and we have two portable infrared electric heaters. Oddly, the only time I've slept with one of the electric heaters on was at the GMCMI rally in Dothan Al.
So, we've been hauling around this 30 gallon propane tank full of propane for the last 4-5000 miles. I can use the storage space so unless there is a good reason, I'm going to pull it out and convert it to storage and save the 300 lbs of weight. Then I'll remove the furnace, and use that space also.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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Re: [GMCnet] Thinking of dumping the propane tank and going all electric [message #263367 is a reply to message #263365] |
Sat, 04 October 2014 19:25 |
Kingsley Coach
Messages: 2691 Registered: March 2009 Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Karma: -34
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Kerry
Two years ago I was forced off the road in Texas...snow!
I am told all the RV parks were full. I didn't need one, I had a furnace
and lots of propane. No pipes froze and neither did I.
Just sayin'
Mike
On Sat, Oct 4, 2014 at 9:18 PM, Kerry Pinkerton
wrote:
> We've had the coach for 2 years and have never used the furnace (it does
> work) or been anywhere where we needed it. Further, we don't plan on taking
> the coach anywhere where we would need a furnace...at least not on
> purpose. Our AC has a built in heat strip and we have two portable infrared
> electric heaters. Oddly, the only time I've slept with one of the
> electric heaters on was at the GMCMI rally in Dothan Al. 8o
>
> So, we've been hauling around this 30 gallon propane tank full of propane
> for the last 4-5000 miles. I can use the storage space so unless there is a
> good reason, I'm going to pull it out and convert it to storage and save
> the 300 lbs of weight. Then I'll remove the furnace, and use that space
> also.
> --
> Kerry Pinkerton
>
> North Alabama, near Huntsville,
>
> 77 Eleganza II, "The Lady", 403CI, Manny Brakes, 1 ton, tranny also a 76
> Eleganza to be re-bodied as an Art Deco car hauler
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
I am not an alcoholic; alcoholics go to meetings.
I am a drunk; I go to parties !
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Re: [GMCnet] Thinking of dumping the propane tank and going all electric [message #263369 is a reply to message #263367] |
Sat, 04 October 2014 19:41 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030 Registered: January 2004 Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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I just came in from working on alternator problem in the coach. That is another story. But it sure was nice having the furnace running while working inside. I filled up at TSC on propane just before going to Chippewa falls. Propane was $2.29 per gallon. This is cheaper than running the generator in an all electric coach trying to keep warm while being stuck somewhere. My refrigerator is also propane. I fill up about every 3 years. Electric is the most expensive way to heat a coach.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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Re: Thinking of dumping the propane tank and going all electric [message #263393 is a reply to message #263365] |
Sun, 05 October 2014 07:10 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565 Registered: July 2012 Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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We don't have a stove or oven. The PO removed them and had a Corian counter top installed. We have a two burner hot plate and a convection microwave mounted at eye level across the hall from the bath room door. (lost part of that tall cabinet, BTW there is 6" of space BEHIND the back side of that cabinet).
A smaller propane tank for emergencies might work although it would cost me considerable cubic feet.
Ken Henderson carries a tunnel legal 6 gal tank but has a three way fridge. That might work but I might be more inclined to carry a BBQ bottle in the winter since we don't have a propane option on our fridge and on 12V ours will actually freeze water.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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Re: Thinking of dumping the propane tank and going all electric [message #263395 is a reply to message #263393] |
Sun, 05 October 2014 07:49 |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769 Registered: February 2013 Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
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kerry pinkerton wrote on Sun, 05 October 2014 07:10
Ken Henderson carries a tunnel legal 6 gal tank but has a three way fridge.
What is a "tunnel legal tank", and how does it differ from a regular tank?
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
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Re: Thinking of dumping the propane tank and going all electric [message #263397 is a reply to message #263365] |
Sun, 05 October 2014 07:59 |
jknezek
Messages: 1057 Registered: December 2007
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Been propane free for 7 years. Never miss it. We don't boon dock so we are always plugged in. A space heater works great when rarely necessary. We have a two burner flush electric stove, a microwave and a bab grill. Can cook just about everything on those three. 30 amps has us juggling appliances at times. 50 amps rarely causes a problem.
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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Re: Thinking of dumping the propane tank and going all electric [message #263398 is a reply to message #263395] |
Sun, 05 October 2014 08:01 |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769 Registered: February 2013 Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
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Joe Weir wrote on Sun, 05 October 2014 07:49kerry pinkerton wrote on Sun, 05 October 2014 07:10
Ken Henderson carries a tunnel legal 6 gal tank but has a three way fridge.
What is a "tunnel legal tank", and how does it differ from a regular tank?
Ahh, NVM. Size is what makes it legal. So a 20lb tank which holds 5 gal of propane would fit the bill.
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
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Re: Thinking of dumping the propane tank and going all electric [message #263412 is a reply to message #263398] |
Sun, 05 October 2014 10:20 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565 Registered: July 2012 Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Joe Weir wrote on Sun, 05 October 2014 08:01Ahh, NVM. Size is what makes it legal. So a 20lb tank which holds 5 gal of propane would fit the bill.
Can you elaborate on this? I thought that there were tanks that were not DOT legal to take through tunnels and that the basic BBQ bottle were not legal. ?????
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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Re: Thinking of dumping the propane tank and going all electric [message #263439 is a reply to message #263365] |
Sun, 05 October 2014 13:39 |
rjw
Messages: 697 Registered: September 2005
Karma: 4
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kerry pinkerton wrote on Sat, 04 October 2014 20:18
So, we've been hauling around this 30 gallon propane tank full of propane for the last 4-5000 miles. I can use the storage space so unless there is a good reason, I'm going to pull it out and convert it to storage and save the 300 lbs of weight. Then I'll remove the furnace, and use that space also.
I am still on the road home. I spent the last couple of nights using my furnace while dry camping when it got down to the high 30s. I suppose if I lived in Florida and never left the state and/or planned to never camp where it might get below 50 and always had electric hook ups available I might think about no LP. But then again no. I have besides my OEM water heater a tank-less heater for those times I stay in Walmart and other dry camping locations. I really don't like to run the Onan to get hot water for a shower. I have a 3-way reefer and now know the 12 volt part is almost useless. I'd get rid of that if I could. I have a gas cook top and use the convection/microwave if I want to nuke something or bake a pizza. Which does not happen very often. I use LP gas all the time, even in the summer. I almost never leave home without filling the tank.
The tank surly does not weigh 300 lbs (unless yours is a lot bigger than mine). I once painted mine and was able to handle it without assistance. The capacity is around 13 gallons and that weighs around 60 pounds. The tank does take up a lot of space. Not having a furnace would free up space in the kitchen area.
If I were in the market for another GMC and it didn't have LP gas appliances I know I would probably pass on it. If you ever decide to sell your coach, not having LP gas could be a negative.
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water heaters.
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Re: Thinking of dumping the propane tank and going all electric [message #263743 is a reply to message #263365] |
Wed, 08 October 2014 00:47 |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085 Registered: October 2008 Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
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kerry pinkerton wrote on Sat, 04 October 2014 17:18 Further, we don't plan on taking the coach anywhere where we would need a furnace...at least not on purpose.
I am hurt and disillusioned that you never plan on making the 2300 mile trip to Colfax, CA, to visit. Humph.
We have an old furnace ('74) that has a pilot light and I rarely keep it lit. Many is the time I have crawled out first to light the furnace so Ruth is cozy in the morning. (I don't mind being cozy, either.) But then we like to dry camp in the mountains. Stove, refrigerator, hot water, Onan... all propane.
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
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Re: [GMCnet] Thinking of dumping the propane tank and going all electric [message #263748 is a reply to message #263365] |
Wed, 08 October 2014 04:12 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117 Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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On Sat, Oct 4, 2014 at 5:18 PM, Kerry Pinkerton
wrote:
> We've had the coach for 2 years and have never used the furnace (it does
> work) or been anywhere where we needed it. Further, we don't plan on taking
> the coach anywhere where we would need a furnace...at least not on
> purpose.
the quote at the top of this link is one reason
http://gmcmotorhome.info/generator.html
and
convert your onan to propane
- low maint
- no smell
- off the grid
i am thinking of removing all bats, and going only
propane (just kidding :>)
erf
> Our AC has a built in heat strip and we have two portable infrared
> electric heaters. Oddly, the only time I've slept with one of the
> electric heaters on was at the GMCMI rally in Dothan Al. 8o
>
> So, we've been hauling around this 30 gallon propane tank full of propane
> for the last 4-5000 miles. I can use the storage space so unless there is a
> good reason, I'm going to pull it out and convert it to storage and save
> the 300 lbs of weight. Then I'll remove the furnace, and use that space
> also.
> --
> Kerry Pinkerton
>
> North Alabama, near Huntsville,
>
> 77 Eleganza II, "The Lady", 403CI, Manny Brakes, 1 ton, tranny also a 76
> Eleganza to be re-bodied as an Art Deco car hauler
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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