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Furnace heat not working when on shore power

CObroker
Explorer
Explorer
Not sure if this has been addressed here previously. We purchase a new Keystone Carbon 364 this year and found that the furnace only produces hot air when on propane.

As shown by the thermostat pics the zones toggle between zone 1 & 2. The mode toggles between Heat, Off, and Cool. And the Heat toggles between Gas and Electric.

When the Heat is on Electric, whether or not we are plugged into shore power, the generator is on, whatever...There is no heat produced from the vents.

Is this just a generic thermostat control where the Carbon 364 furnace unit does not have that capability? is there something broken? Is there an option I need to add? Has anyone had this issue before or currently?

Thank you


2017 Ram 3500 SRW w/Aisin
2017 Keystone Carbon 364
2 2017 Suzuki RMX450z bikes
2 Santa Cruz 5010 mtn bikes
2 cats...
14 REPLIES 14

byronlj
Explorer
Explorer
open the filter access door on your living area AC. If it has a heat pump or heat strip it will say that in that location. Mine is a heat pump controlled by the thermostat. I prefer to run both the fireplaces instead.
Dave
byronlj
2013 Dynamax Trilogy 3800RL

shastagary
Explorer
Explorer
there is a aftermarket electric heat option for rv furnaces. they will not put out the heat like propane does though.rv furnace electric heat option

ktmrfs
Explorer
Explorer
CObroker wrote:
It definately eats the propane, lol. The batteries are fine, we usually boondock pretty high up in the mtns where it drops into the 20's and 30's most nights. The heater runs quite a bit.

Was just hoping that for the few times early and late in the season, when we happen to be at campgrounds, that there was an electric option since it looked like it from the thermostat.

We will just use a portable electric heater to augment the propane in those situations.

It's all good!


it takes a lot of heat to keep a small sized enclosure warm, trailer, house doesn't make much difference. One there is lots of surface area to radiate heat even though there isn't much volume. Second, lots of windows don't help.

So a 35K BTU heater in a 200 sq ft trailer is more stressed than a 80KBTU furnace in a 2400 square foot house.

10X difference in sq ft, but only about 3x difference in furnace. and the 85KBTU will keep the house warm below 0F, but the trailer will struggle at 32F.
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
2015.5 Denali 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison
2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison passed on to our Son!

CObroker
Explorer
Explorer
It definately eats the propane, lol. The batteries are fine, we usually boondock pretty high up in the mtns where it drops into the 20's and 30's most nights. The heater runs quite a bit.

Was just hoping that for the few times early and late in the season, when we happen to be at campgrounds, that there was an electric option since it looked like it from the thermostat.

We will just use a portable electric heater to augment the propane in those situations.

It's all good!
2017 Ram 3500 SRW w/Aisin
2017 Keystone Carbon 364
2 2017 Suzuki RMX450z bikes
2 Santa Cruz 5010 mtn bikes
2 cats...

bikendan
Explorer
Explorer
Another example of a poor dealer PDI.
To not explain to a newby customer that the furnace is propane only, is inexcusable. :S
Dan- Firefighter, Retired:C, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur:W, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever(RIP:(), 2014 Ford F150 3.5 EcoboostMax Tow pkg, 2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255 w/4pt Equalizer and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes

midnightsadie
Explorer II
Explorer II
propane furnace eats fuel, and will kill a battery in no time if not on shore power. if your plugged into shore power turn the furnace off and use electric heaters.

time2roll
Explorer II
Explorer II
CObroker wrote:
there are no manuals that address anything close to this issue. There are hardly manuals at all.
If you post the make/model of both the furnace and air conditioner the options and manuals can be found.

CObroker
Explorer
Explorer
ok, thanks. We love the trailer, just didn't quite understand the thermostat operation or infrastructure design.

I think the small portable electric heater option, when plugged into campground power, for the early spring and late fall trips will work great to supplement the propane furnace operation.

thank you all for the help and replies!
2017 Ram 3500 SRW w/Aisin
2017 Keystone Carbon 364
2 2017 Suzuki RMX450z bikes
2 Santa Cruz 5010 mtn bikes
2 cats...

ktmrfs
Explorer
Explorer
I'd say operating as expected. virtually all RV furnaces are propane only.

when asking for electric heat it, if it is available will be through the AC ducting, usually in the ceiling. And it will be either an electric heat strip around 1500W, which will not provide much heat, and the air coming out will not be much above room temps. that is designed to keep the trailer warm, not warm it up. Or it will be through the AC operating as a heat pump, again with ceiling ducting. should be warmer air and higher capacity.


you can upgrade the furnace to electric but again to get anywhere near the heat you get from the furnace you will need a 50A service or more. A 30KBTU furnace, say at 75 percent efficiency, nets 25k btu. 25K btu on electric is about 8KW, 1.5KW is the typical portable heater and that draws about 12A on 120V.
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
2015.5 Denali 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison
2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison passed on to our Son!

CObroker
Explorer
Explorer
I believe the furnace is propane only, not sure. I think the heat strips, or lack thereof, in the air units is the answer. Just don't know for sure. Also, do not know if there is a furnace 'upgrade' that we can get that will function both electric and propane.

Or do we have to have 'heat strips' installed and then connected to the thermostat?
2017 Ram 3500 SRW w/Aisin
2017 Keystone Carbon 364
2 2017 Suzuki RMX450z bikes
2 Santa Cruz 5010 mtn bikes
2 cats...

CObroker
Explorer
Explorer
there are no manuals that address anything close to this issue. There are hardly manuals at all.
2017 Ram 3500 SRW w/Aisin
2017 Keystone Carbon 364
2 2017 Suzuki RMX450z bikes
2 Santa Cruz 5010 mtn bikes
2 cats...

maddog348
Explorer
Explorer
Does it have an electric Furnace??

Ava
Explorer
Explorer
Have you checked the instruction manuals with your rv? Maybe there are trouble shooting answers there. My `94 DP came with all the manuals for everything from the chassis, motor, trans to every appliance and gadget inside with enough information to assist with most issues.

time2roll
Explorer II
Explorer II
Heat on electric would usually be a heat strip up in the air conditioner or possibly the air conditioner is also a heat pump.