Wintering in North Carolina? September 30, 2005, 05:27:28 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58549Hi--We're planning to spend November through April in the Charlotte, NC area. What we're wondering is if it's feasible to plan to stay in the LD. We have insulated tanks. We're somewhat new at all this. The weather site indicates that it gets down to freezing temperatures. We're trying to read up on winterization issues, but would appreciate any info. We've been living in the LD for a month now, having traveled from the west coast to the east coast. It's been great. We have a 26.5' Mid-Bath, 2003. On the entire trip, we only saw one other LD, which was surprising.--twodrifters[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #1 – September 30, 2005, 10:03:06 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58555On Fri, 2005-09-30 at 17:27 -0400, QuoteHi--We're planning to spend November through April in the Charlotte, NC area. What we're wondering is if it's feasible to plan to stay in the LD. We have insulated tanks. We're somewhat new at all this. The weather site indicates that it gets down to freezing temperatures. We're trying to read up on winterization issues, but would appreciate any info. We've been living in the LD for a month now, having traveled from the west coast to the east coast. It's been great. We have a 26.5' Mid-Bath, 2003. On the entire trip, we only saw one other LD, which was surprising.--twodrifters Well there "twodrifters", Brenda and I have lived in Charlotte for some 26 years and can tell you about the winters. Compared to our days in Upstate New York, they are relatively easy. The very coldest temperature in our years here was +5 degrees F and that was only once. Usually the coldest in any season is the high teens. I am of course talking about the low early morning temperatures of a day. Days that do not warm up to above freezing are rare.My guess is that if you keep the inside of you LD comfortable for yourself and keep the cabinet doors open, the LD will be OK. Clearly water hoses with standing water in them would be a no-no. Others who have lived in their LDs at such temperatures, please chime in with hints.Brenda and I got our '05 26.5' MB back home at the end of this past February and promptly winterized it using the compressed air method described in the LD owner's manual. Anyway, our experience living in an LD in winter is slim to none.When you get to Charlotte, please give us a call so we can possibly meet. We're in the phone book.Alex Rutchka '05 MB
Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #2 – October 01, 2005, 04:41:58 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58576Twodrifters - we also are new to traveling full time. We have been gone from Louisiana since July 28 and are now
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #3 – October 01, 2005, 08:23:05 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58580As previously discussed, be sure to isolate the cab from the living area as it will be helpful
Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #4 – October 03, 2005, 09:21:13 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58643QuoteI was astonished when I found out that the only heaters that come with RVs now-a-days required you to be hooked up to electricity to be used. Liz, I don't know what kind of *new* RVs you've had experience with, but none of the 5 RV's we've had (including the LD) require you to be hooked up to electricity to be used. The forced air furnace in all of our RVs have always run on battery power. They will, of course, use up lots of battery power which needs some way of being replenished, but they can be run without being hooked up to electricity.Linda Hylton 2004 Red 23.5' TK From Mountain View RV Park Susanville, CA See where we are: http://map.datastormusers.com/user2.cfm?user=1167 Sent via the WebMail system at mail.escapees.com
Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #5 – October 03, 2005, 10:15:31 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58646QuoteLiz, I don't know what kind of *new* RVs you've had experience with, but none of the 5 RV's we've had (including the LD) require you to be hooked up to electricity to be used. The forced air furnace in all of our RVs have always run on battery power Well, I personally don't have any experience with new RVs, I've just been trying to learn all I can so I know what I'm doing once we're in a position to buy something.In conversations with people (live and via email & message boards dedicated to RVs), I just kept hearing variations of: "Well, of course if you run your heater overnight without being hooked to shore power you'll run your batteries dead."This is about the first place I've heard that it's possible to run the heater overnight on battery power.Yet another recommendation for LDsLiz
Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #6 – October 03, 2005, 10:28:40 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58649QuoteIn conversations with people (live and via email & message boards dedicated to RVs), I just kept hearing variations of: "Well, of course if you run your heater overnight without being hooked to shore power you'll run your batteries dead." Liz, those comments are pretty much *spot on.* As stated before, the forced-air furnace is an energy hog (not to mention a propane hog), and will deplete your batteries much quicker than almost any other appliance in an RV. If you are dry camping and run the forced-air furnace all night long, you might very well drain your batteries, depending on how warm you keep it inside and how long it has to run during the night. That doesn't mean, however, that the furnace *can't* run without being hooked up to electricity. Personally, we never run ANY kind of heat at night while we're sleeping...we like it cool, even cold. We use plenty of warm blankets and add more if necessary. When we get up in the morning, we may turn on the forced air furnace for a few minutes, just to take the chill off the air. But then we turn it off, and turn on our catalytic heater to finish the job.Linda Hylton 2004 Red 23.5' TK From Mountain View RV Park Susanville, CA See where we are: http://map.datastormusers.com/user2.cfm?user=1167 Sent via the WebMail system at mail.escapees.com
Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #7 – October 03, 2005, 11:03:12 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58650QuoteIn conversations with people (live and via email & message boards dedicated to RVs), I just kept hearing variations of: "Well, of course if you run your heater overnight without being hooked to shore power you'll run your batteries dead."Liz, those comments are pretty much *spot on.* As stated before, the forced-air furnace is an energy hog (not to mention a propane hog),This might be the case with older LD's, but the newer ones have more effecient blowers, drawing IIRC 2.4 amps when running. Since the heater is relatively effecient, it only stays on for a relatively short cycle, thus the average current draw is fairly low.As far as catalytic heaters are concerned, I agree they are more effecient than the stock LD furnace. With the stock furnace, there's a prodigious amount of waste heat that's vented to the outside. With the cat, what heat it makes is what you get. Well, almost, you also have to let cold air into the LD via the open vent windows.I have a Wave-3 in our MB "Yonder". It's permanently mounted under the oven and next to the fridge, as the factory conveniently located a depression there. From this spot it keeps one's legs toasty at the dinette. I haven't warmed up to using it overnight though, and have no problem leaving the furnace on.all the best,bumper
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #8 – October 03, 2005, 11:36:03 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58651At 03:02 AM 10/4/2005 +0000, you wrote:QuoteThis might be the case with older LD's, but the newer ones have more effecient blowers, drawing IIRC 2.4 amps when running. Since the heater is relatively effecient, it only stays on for a relatively short cycle, thus the average current draw is fairly low. Although we prefer not to use the heater at night, there were several times in ten years when we did run it in our 1980 RB. We kept the thermostat set to something like 45 or 50 degrees... certainly not warm, but enough to keep things above discomfort level. We did this for two or even three consecutive nights without draining the battery past the yellow zone. Because of the low temperature we selected, the blower did not run more often than maybe four or five times a night, for maybe five minutes each time. We hit one bad patch of weather in our new-to-us 2000 RK, and ran the heater one night, with no appreciable loss of battery power. I'm sure the more efficient blower helped (it was also much quieter), but it's also true that we have two solar panels, so whatever electricity was lost at night was replaced the next morning with no noticeable change in operations. I would say the short version here is, in a relatively new LD, you can indeed run your heater for one night (or even several), if outdoor temperatures are not extreme (i.e., well below freezing) and your chosen indoor temperature is relatively low (not normal daytime comfort zone).Sonsie
Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #9 – October 09, 2005, 10:49:17 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58840Twodrifters - I'm a Lazy Daze wannabe who has yet to see one! My boygfriend is workkamping
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #10 – October 09, 2005, 11:46:13 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58843Claudia, Brenda and I live in Charlotte and you can come see our '05 26.5' MB, if you like. We're in the phone book.Alex Rutchka
Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #11 – October 01, 2005, 08:07:17 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58578Hi Mary & Jack,Ah, good tips. We are in PA right now and have had a few chilly nights. The propane furnace does a good job but the noise takes a little getting used to. I asked the owner of an RV park here if people actually stay in their RV's through the PA winter, and she said that they do, they just don't run any water through them, i.e., they use the park's bathrooms, showers, etc. Maybe I'm just too new at this, but that sounds like roughing it to me. I hope you enjoy the snow. It's bound to come sooner or later. --twodriftersQuoteSubj: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Date: 10/1/2005 4:42:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time From: Reply-to: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Sent from the InternetTwodrifters - we also are new to traveling full time. We have been gone from Louisiana since July 28 and are now in Montana hoping to see some snow. We have had at least a couple of nights of 26-28 degree weather and, while it was cold, we find that sealing the over the cab windows and the large vent over the bed and the middle vent, helps a lot. We also put a sleeping bag, opened completely up, between the cab and the coach. We have a RB with 2 couches but we sleep in the over the cab bed and find it very comfortable. We have seen THREE LD's. One in New Mexico, one in Yellowstone Park and one parked at a campsite in Wyoming. I believe you see will more in the west than in the east since the mother ship is in California.Having a ball, Mary and Jack [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #12 – October 01, 2005, 09:23:12 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58581Yes, we are not into campground bathroom facilities either. We can get along a couple of days with tank water except for drinking. You might try a very small electric heater for quiet, propane saving heat. It will surprise you. They heat the coach pretty well. Also, our air conditioner has the heat strips and they are a good supplement on really cold nights but noisy.Mary & Jack
[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #13 – October 02, 2005, 03:42:20 am Yahoo Message Number: 58584The heat strip
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #14 – October 03, 2005, 01:02:25 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58622And for those of you who love to boondock, or who might be thinking about boondocking, you might consider getting a catalytic heater. Remember, of course, to read about opening a couple of windows while you're sleeping.Anyhow, disclaimer included, I have two Wave 3 Catalytic heaters in our Rear Bath. One's installed on the wall at the entry door, and the other's on the back wall, in the bathroom. If it's REALLY cold, we use both. There are other models, other brands, and many ways to instal them. Quick disconnect-portable-permanent (like mine), etcetera. The catalytic heater uses NO battery power, and is very efficient in it's use of propane. The furnace will work while boondocking, of course, but it's a 12-V hog, and will drain your batteries.Sarah Englewood, CO in the '80s, so far - forecast to drop like a rock this next week.
[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #15 – October 03, 2005, 06:50:01 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58637QuoteThe catalytic heater uses NO battery power, and is very efficient in > it's use of propane. The furnace will work while boondocking, of > course, but it's a 12-V hog, and will drain your batteries.These were the only heaters we had on the pickup campers and travel trailers we had when I was a kid.In all the years we camped in the late 60's early 70's I don't remember my parents, grandparents or uncle ever hooked up to electricity or water (we always camped in ntl. forest or ntlor state park campgrounds). When we camped in an old pickup camper when we were first married we only hooked up to electricity a couple of times (ever).I was astonished when I found out that the only heaters that come with RVs now-a-days required you to be hooked up to electricity to be used. Someday when we're able to get an RV again it will definitely have a cat. heater added.Liz
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #16 – October 03, 2005, 06:54:48 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58638At 10:47 PM 10/3/2005 +0000, you wrote:QuoteI was astonished when I found out that the only heaters that come with RVs now-a-days required you to be hooked up to electricity to be used. Not in the LD (I'm not familiar with other brands). There's a nice built-in propane furnace that uses battery power to operate the fan. It's not terribly economical if you are going to be boondocking for several days or longer (it does use battery power), but it is quite powerful and does a good job of heating the cabin. We have solar panels, so we don't worry about running down the battery, but we also don't sleep with the unit on. Just nervous, I guess. It warms up the place great first thing in the morning, and I can reach the thermostat to turn it on without even getting out of bed.Sonsie
[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #17 – October 03, 2005, 07:22:41 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58639wrote: "....I was astonished when I found out that the only heaters that come with RVs now-a-days required you to be hooked up to electricity to be used." --- This is a quote from the furnace information in part 2 of Mark Nemeth's "12 Volt Side of Life" web pages:"If you like to dry camp in colder months, you are almost going to HAVE to get a catalytic or radiant propane heater. That forced air furnace that comes standard in most rigs draws 5-7 amps whenever the blower's running. That adds up in a hurry and will leave your batteries severely run down after a couple of cold days. Plus, those furnaces barely approach 60% efficiency, meaning that a lot of your expensive propane is being used to heat the great outdoors, instead of your rig. Check into a catalytic space heater... 95% or better efficiency and no battery drain." http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm (Part 1) and http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volta.htm (Part 2)As stated, it isn't necessary to be "hooked up to electricity" to run the furnace; the real downsides of using the RV furnace are the its hearty appetites for propane and battery power.Joan
[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #18 – October 03, 2005, 09:17:34 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58642""I have two Wave 3 Catalytic heaters in our Rear Bath. One's installed on the wall at the entry door, and the other's on the back wall, in the bathroom. If it's REALLY cold, we use both." We also have a Wave 3 in the bath in our 23.5` FL. It makes taking a shower in cold weather a pleasure. Just close the door and in just a few minutes, the bath area is toasty. With the bath door open, it keeps the rear area of the LD warm. Using the catalytic heater saves battery power and propane plus its quiet, something that cannot be said about the forced-air furnace. We never sleep with the catalytic heater on; in fact we prefer to leave the overhead vent open at night except in extremely cold or wet weather. A thick comforter provides the needed insulation. We have a switch in the bunk for turning the furnace on in the morning. Now if I can just figure out how to start the coffee without getting up! I think it was Sarah who suggested that the best cat heater was a big tabby curled up in your lap.Larry
Automatic coffee Reply #19 – October 04, 2005, 05:30:34 am Yahoo Message Number: 58656Larry,It only works when you are plugged
[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #20 – October 04, 2005, 08:06:35 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58679Larry, Where did you get a switch for turning the furnace on from the bunk and how does one install it? Thanks."We have a switch in the bunk for turning the furnace on in the morning."Monica New Jersey NE 10
[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #21 – October 05, 2005, 02:55:40 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58697"Where did you get a switch for turning the furnace on from the bunk and how does one install it? Thanks."MonicaThe switch was purchased at LD's world headquarters, in their accessory showroom I bought several, in both the single and double switch configurations. See http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lw5315us/detail?.dir=4062&.dnm=716e.jpg&.src=ph The top, double switch controls the Fantastic fan, in the bath, and the heater. The bottom single switch controls the Factory supplied night light. It was easy to wire. The thermostat is just a temperature controlled switch. It has two wires running to it. I cut one wire and spliced two new wires onto the two ends and ran them to the bunk location, next to the LD provided night light switch. The wires are hidden inside the overhead storage bin. The floor of the storage bins is a false bottom that can be removed, providing access. Inside you will find other wiring that LD installed for lighting. To use the heater switch, set the thermostat to your desired morning temperature (mid 70s) and turn the bunk switch to the off position. When you want heat, simply turn the switch on and within a few moments, the heater will start. We never use heat at night so in the morning, it can very cold inside. It so convenient just to use the switch 10-15 minutes before getting out of bed.Hope this makes sense.Larry
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Wintering in North Carolina? Reply #22 – October 10, 2005, 09:07:21 pm Yahoo Message Number: 58872Alex, Thanks for the invite! I actually live in Raleigh and Larry and I trade weekends that we visit each other. Right now I don't think I'll be back there until the first weekend in November.Claudia
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