Propex Heatsource Furnace in pop up camper.

[Vic Harder]

I continue to be amazed at how much factory built campers seem to waste space. I suppose to make building and maintenance of the camper easier? The much smaller propex heater ends up using a lot of space the way they routed those long intake/exhaust hoses.

The thru hull fittings are sweet looking. I do not understand the logic of putting the two pipes that close together when they've warned against that for the install, but hey, if that makes it easier for you to run the pipes, so be it.

I'd look at getting their muffler kit too, or at least buying the equivalent intake and exhaust mufflers online.

 

[pvstoy]

Don't have a pig in the party, just wanted to mention that whatever you put at the rear, intake , exhaust, it is in a negative air space and pulls in lots of dust.

 

[ski3pin]

since u use your camper in the cool months, i figure some thinking on it is ok. that said, u have managed for a lot of miles, with the stock atc version heater.

Greg, you are correct and your point is valid. We've made it work - gotten a more even temperature inside - with the use of the Wave 3 catalytic. It has been a love hate relationship. Early in the season we love it. As the season rolls on, the dislike grows. At the end of the season (or earlier like last week) we can't wait to pull it out and swear we need to find a better system. After a happy summer, with the memories distant, we put it back in in the fall.

So this could be more of a procrastination story.

 

[ski3pin]

I continue to be amazed at how much factory built campers seem to waste space. I suppose to make building and maintenance of the camper easier? The much smaller propex heater ends up using a lot of space the way they routed those long intake/exhaust hoses.

The thru hull fittings are sweet looking. I do not understand the logic of putting the two pipes that close together when they've warned against that for the install, but hey, if that makes it easier for you to run the pipes, so be it.

I'd look at getting their muffler kit too, or at least buying the equivalent intake and exhaust mufflers online.

Vic, I too was surprised at the install in an FWC and the amount of space used. But, it was easy to install with lots of area to work in.

I spoke at length yesterday with Jacob at Van Cafe - the propex USA dealer. I ran all my questions by him and a possible install scenario. He thought my plan - including interior exhaust/inlet combustion pipes would be fine and work well. He also took the time to get some measurements for me. For answers to questions, etc., I really recommend speaking with Jacob.

Jacob mentioned that the new Propex digital thermostat/controller has a temperature differential of 3 degrees.

I asked - since Truma and Whale have developed more sophisticated variable fan speed furnaces - does Propex plan to redo/improve their furnaces? Has he heard any talk? No, but he hopes they do; it's almost necessary to keep up with the technology.

Also, when I asked about the Whale Heat Air, I got, "I love that furnace."

 

[ski3pin]

Don't have a pig in the party, just wanted to mention that whatever you put at the rear, intake , exhaust, it is in a negative air space and pulls in lots of dust.

Patrick, thanks for reminding me of this. I appreciate it. From personal experience with having a furnace in the lower rear corner of the camper (as in my photo) since 2009, I've not found the accumulating dust much of an issue, either with the Atwood's furnace function, or dust inside the bottom of the unit that is open to the outside.

But, it is another thing to keep in mind.

 

[ski3pin]

<snip>

But the thought keeps reoccurring to me, if I put in this work, should I go to a more advanced furnace like the Whale Heatair or the Truma Varioheat?

A lot to contemplate........

I continue to be haunted by that thought and as of this morning I am revisiting the possible install of a Truma Varioheat.

But I do appreciate it if others weigh in on their experience with a Propex in a pop up truck camper.

 

[ski3pin]

Although I MAY be going in another direction, I hope that this discussion will help others contemplating the install of a Propex furnace. Propex is highly regarded and is a very good furnace.

The MAY above reflects a day of phone calls and email exchanges. More to come.

 

[Vic Harder]

Monte, would you be making a different decision if you were building a new camper?

 

[ski3pin]

Monte, would you be making a different decision if you were building a new camper?

No, the decision would be the same.

 

[Defulmmt]

I found the Van Cafe knowledge base for Propex a few weeks ago and then had trouble finding it again on
their site. Lots of good info here. https://vancafe.com/propex-heaters-for-vans/

 

[goinoregon]

Monte, would you be making a different decision if you were building a new camper?

goog question vic.

 

[Ronin]

Although I MAY be going in another direction, I hope that this discussion will help others contemplating the install of a Propex furnace. Propex is highly regarded and is a very good furnace.

The MAY above reflects a day of phone calls and email exchanges. More to come.

If you decide to go with the Propex I have a propex thru hull fitting you can have.

 

[ski3pin]

If you decide to go with the Propex I have a propex thru hull fitting you can have.

Ronin, thanks, that is very thoughtful and appreciated! At this time I'm not going with a Propex.

 

[buckland]

Late to the thread but followed the diesel heater one and though I have a diesel truck I too have a concern about soot and ease of install (replacing the FWC Atwood). Ditto on the cycling swings hot/cold instead of the steady heat. I'm a light sleeper and it takes getting used to. I'm interested in the Propex and wonder if anyone has swapped out the Atwood (2011 Eagle) and if it exhausts/intakes using the FWC pipes? I'd love a plug and play but rebuilding the cabinet front to suit would not be an issue. Thought I'd edit this post to add I am also looking at the Truma VarioHeat.

 

[rubberlegs]

We're experimenting with an electric car blanket, and got one that's about 50W. So that will use 10Ah over 3 hours (i.e., it uses about 3.5 amps) , and helps smooth out the cold portion of the heater cycle. So far, it's wonderful in bed as a little supplement for my wife, but not quite enough sitting in the cold camper. I handle the cold cycles better. She'll experiment some more and report back.

 

[ski3pin]

Late to the thread but followed the diesel heater one and though I have a diesel truck I too have a concern about soot and ease of install (replacing the FWC Atwood). Ditto on the cycling swings hot/cold instead of the steady heat. I'm a light sleeper and it takes getting used to. I'm interested in the Propex and wonder if anyone has swapped out the Atwood (2011 Eagle) and if it exhausts/intakes using the FWC pipes? I'd love a plug and play but rebuilding the cabinet front to suit would not be an issue. Thought I'd edit this post to add I am also looking at the Truma VarioHeat.

Buckland, from my planning, the Propex combustion exhaust and intake (two separate tubes) don't work with the Atwood exhaust.

 

[Starbrightsteve]

We have a Truma heater in our Hallmark pop up. It makes heat. Sort of. Matt of Hallmark said the best place he could find for the temperature sensor was just below the middle of the countertop. We find that the temperature drops 5-6 degrees F between cycles. The control for the heater gives lots of options such as quiet mode, boost mode and I think it will work the same as a setback thermostat. I personally just want the heat to come on when I start it, shut off when I turn it off and come a bit closer than 5-6 degrees when I set it.
Before the pop up we had an Escape 5th wheel. The Atwood heater in that never worked even after 3 different sail switches, a new gas valve, and a replacement controll board. It was finally installed on the scrap pile and replaced with a Propex. The install was a bit difficult with cabinet remodeling and refrigerator removal but it worked like a charm. I would choose Propex over Truma any day.

 

[calebdog]

I'm still researching a possible furnace change in our All Terrain Camper. Julie and I spend a great deal of time in our camper and are looking to fine tune our heating a bit - if the improvement is really worth the effort, cost, and time.

I've done a lot of research on the diesel heater and for various reasons, I'm not interested in that direction.

The recent post on the Truma Varioheat piqued my interest. After initial excitement, I'm feeling it might be a bit overkill for our tiny camper. There's also an issue with size of the unit in planning an install.

There have been many posts in the past on Propex installs. I'm curious on opinions after long time use and in various environments.

I also notice that Propex is now offering a high elevation model for above 7500 feet. How has the standard version worked at varying elevations?

There is also the issue with running the long burner exhaust and inlet tubes.

Your insights, experience, comments are appreciated.

 

[calebdog]

We had a great trip In Colorado this. September.
Our Propex did not work at 7500 or more.
Otherwise it kicks out nice hot, dry, heat.