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Bill,

Thanks. I suspect that furnace would work fine running down the road,
but I did not need it. The dash heat was enough, if I started the trip
with the coach warm.

I will go out tomorrow (it's supposed to be below freezing) and fire up
this furnace and see if I can find if/where it blows into the bay. Do
you have any idea where in the bay the vent is located? I *think* all
my furnace ducts are on the port (driver's) side of the coach, with the
possible exception of the toilet room.

As I understand your comments, there is no need for the cold weather
package and bay heater/tank pads as long as you keep the furnace running
at the camp ground. I always use the furnace for heat when dry
camping. But, I have been known to use electric space heaters when
connected to shore power. I also put one in the bay, since I doubt that
it would keep warm without the forced air furnace running.

I think I will purchase one ofthese
<http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog/back-seat-heat_plus-08-0042.html>,
as I found on the group Parts List. I haven't looked to see if it is
"pre wired" but I do not have a switch or indicator light that I have
found in the coach. But the batteries are not far away, and a good 12
vdc relay should work for control.

Do you think my solution of one of the Back Seat Heaters in cargo bay
(sans LP Furnace) while running down the road (running off engine
alternator/battery) and then switch over to LP Furnace (sans Back Seat
Heater) while parked (dry camping) would be an appropriate approach to
this problem? I know that I won't have the holding tank pads, but
consensus is that won't be needed, normally.

Again, thanks to all who have responded.
-Rick N.
1997 320ft Dynasty, 325 Cummins

On 3/20/2013 9:38 PM, Bill Duckwitz wrote:
>
> Rick,
>
> A few points.
>
> A, the furnace works fine running down the
> road. You are correct, running space heaters off
> the inverter doesn't make sense.
>
> The furnace is already ducted to the wet bay.
>
> You can easily run the furnace off the batteries
> at night when dry camping. When you come off the
> road they should be charged and then if you run
> the generator set during the evening for dinner
> and a little TV then the batteries should be
> sufficiently changed to run the furnace over
> night. I have done it several times.
>
> The Monaco position is that if you keep the coach
> comfortable for living, 68-72?, the plumbing is
> safe. That was their position in the ninety's.
>
> Bill D. 94 Dynasty with furnace.
>
> At 04:31 PM 3/20/2013, you wrote:
> >Phil,
> >
> >Thank you for your on point response. I don't have the aqua hot. I
> >also have not used my (propane) forced air furnace while driving.
> >
> >Of course I use the furnace when I reach my destination, especially if I
> >am dry camping. It is ridiculous to run the inverter to power a 120
> >Volt electric heater! When I'm connected to shore power, I do put a
> >small electric heater in the bay. Remote thermometer shows it never
> >drops below 45. I suspect the snap disk might be better than the cheap
> >electric space heater's thermostat, but this works for now.
> >
> >I would like to hear from someone regarding how they keep the area warm
> >when dry camping at night, if they don't have the heated bay option. I
> >suppose some might put a light bulb in there, and run it off the
> >batteries (via the inverter). I was hoping that there might be some
> >heat from the forced air furnace, but I don't see any. My furnace is
> >under the cooktop in the kitchen, quite a ways from the wet bay. I
> >don't think it is close enough to provide heat without a forced air vent.
> >
> >I tend to agree that the holding tanks won't likely freeze while in
> >motion, as long as they are not right at freezing from the night
> >before. You are correct that the plumbing is most likely to freeze.
> >
> >I'm guessing there are not many members here who have water in their
> >coach in sub zero weather, whether actually living in them, or simply
> >ready for departure or return from a trip. I have winterized 3 times
> >this winter already, and still have 2 more months before I can feel safe
> >about not winterizing without heat.
> >
> >Maybe I'll look into adding a branch off the forced air vent going to
> >the bedroom, and dump it into the bay, for nights when I'm dry camping.
> >I agree that 30 Amps to heat the area off batteries is too much. But 30
> >amps while driving down the road shouldn't be. Should it?
> >
> > -Rick N.
> >1997 32-ft Dynasty, 325 Cummins
> >On 3/20/2013 12:21 PM, Phil Schoner wrote:
> > >
> > > I have often wondered what keeps my service bay from freezing when
> I drive
> > > in very cold (10-30 degree) weather. Don't know, but it has never
> > > happened. My 07 Dynasty has a service bay heater connected to my
> aqua hot
> > > system, but I am pretty sure it does not operate while driving
> (but maybe
> > > it does?) I do have the option of using engine heat to heat my
> aqua hot
> > > fluid which I can then use to heat the cabin if needed while
> driving. I
> > > have done this a few times, and I suppose this would also heat the
> service
> > > bay while driving. The heater in the service bay is set to come on at
> > > about 45 degrees. I do not run the diesel furnace while driving,
> even in
> > > very cold weather.
> > >
> > > When I overnight in very cold weather I put a space heater with a
> > > thermostat on the driver side of my service bay. I need this
> because the
> > > aqua hot heater is on the other side, and does not keep the driver
> side
> > > warm enough.
> > >
> > > I would not be concerned with freezing your water tanks while driving.
> > > Water motion as you drive and heat capacity of water in tanks will not
> > > allow this. Concern should be in freezing any water lines in your
> system.
> > >
> > > Phil 07 Dynasty
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >------------------------------------
> >
> >Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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Rick,

In another post I said that the Furnace has a vent into the wet
bay. Several others have confirmed that. The light bulb in the wet
bay is for when you are not on the road and the furnace is not running a lot.

I use my inverter on the road to run a refrigeration unit ice maker
(U-Line). I also have a TV and Satellite tracking antenna
running. Nothing wrong with running the inverter on the road. I do
agree that it isn't wise to use it to run heating devices.

Bill D.


At 06:25 PM 3/19/2013, you wrote:

>Bill,
>
>I have a solution for when I have 120 VAC power. I'm looking for one
>that doesn't require the inverter (poor way of heating) for when I'm
>driving down the road.
>
>
Rick N.
>On 3/19/2013 2:19 PM, Bill Duckwitz wrote:
> >
> > Rick,
> >
> > Trying to copy the company solution is not only difficult but not
> > cost effective and not reliable.
> >
> > Get a plastic light bulb cage/socket with a short pigtail that you
> > can put a standard plug on. They are available at HD and probably
> > Lowe's. Now get an inline thermostat at HD and plug the light into
> > it. Run an extension cord over from the bay with the outlet to
> > supply the power. All done and a 52 watt light bulb will supply
> > plenty of heat to below zero ambient tempratures.
> >
> > Bill D.
> >
> > At 01:41 PM 3/19/2013, you wrote:
> > >Has anyone here added a heater to the wet bay on their coach? Mine
> > >didn't come with one. I think I've read that they consisted of a snap
> > >disc as a thermostat to control when they went on and off. I've also
> > >read about heat strips/pads applied directly to the tanks (not sure if
> > >just the fresh water tank or the holding tanks too). I think there is
> > >also some sort of electric fan assisted heater to keep the plumbing from
> > >freezing in the bay.
> > >
> > >I'm not sure it's cost efficient to try to duplicate exactly what Monaco
> > >installed, but I do need something. I had success with installing a
> > >small 110VAC space heater in the bay this past fall, when temps got down
> > >to below freezing at night. I think I could maintain the bay area above
> > >35 degrees even in sub zero temps with that little heater. I'm not sure
> > >that maintaining the bay are temp would ensure the holding tanks won't
> > >freeze, nor the water heater tank if not on. But I'm can't (won't) run
> > >that while driving. Last January, I left home with a winterized coach
> > >and didn't unwinterize (or is it dewinterize?) until 2 days later, in
> > >Phoenix, because I was concerned about freezing while driving. I don't
> > >(haven't needed to) run the furnace while driving. Especially if it's
> > >warm when I depart, and there is any sun out, the dash heat and solar
> > >gain are sufficient to keep me warm while driving. But, the wet bay get
> > >cold - below freezing while driving since there is no supplemental heat.
> > > I checked the Parts List, and it shows the snap disk, and two Bay
> > >Heaters, the original Monaco 3000RV Cargo Bay Heater (which I've read is
> > >now out of business) and a Family Safety Products link to a Back Seat
> > >Heater Plus 12 Volt. I can find that heater. But I find no mention of
> > >the heat pads/strips that apply directly to the tank. I know there are
> > >generic heat strips, but I don't know how hot they get. I don't want to
> > >melt my tanks! Also, I'm not sure of their availability in 12 VDC.
> > >
> > >Any recommendations or guidance from the group would be wonderful.
> > >
> > >Along these lines, does anyone know if there is a vent for the furnace
> > >(no AquaHot) into the bay for when parked and furnace is running? I
> > >know I can use a 110 VAC space heater there, but wondered if Monaco made
> > >any provisions for heating the bay other than relying on the 12 Volt
> > >heater and pads?
> > >
> > >Thanks,
> > >
> > > -Rick N.
> > >1997 32-ft Dynasty, 325 Cummins
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >------------------------------------
> > >
> > >Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>------------------------------------
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

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Rick
Here is why, (when I have shore power), I use a Thermo Cube to control the electric space heater near my water bay:
It prevents wasting electricity because it only allows the space heater to run if/when the temp in the bay near drops to +35 deg F and it turns it off again when the temp rises to +45.

I have a Safari, (not a Monaco), a year older than your Dynasty.
It has a 40,000 BTU Suburban LP furnace.
The furnace is below the refrigerator and has a sheet metal box/plenum below it in the storage bay below.
That box/plenum is not insulated and radiates heat into the storage bay while it directs furnace heat into the insulated ducts to the front and rear floor registers.
There is also a small round hole, (1-1/4" diam?), in the bottom of the plenum, which allows furnace blower forced heated air into the basement area.
I have often run the LP furnace, (when driving or parked), when OS temps are freezing or colder.
As you probably know, the basement area does not loose as much heat when the coach is parked as it does when moving, so I dry camp overnight if the remote thermometer in the wet bay reports a temp nearing 32 deg F.
My coach seldom sees freezing temperatures for more than a few days each year, (unless it has been winterized).

Although we "winter time" in the south for 3-4 months each year, my coach is stored outside, at our Wisconsin "sticks and bricks" for a month or two in the fall and spring of each year, (with 20A shore power to keep the batteries charged).
I winterize each Oct and de-winterize in Dec, (after we get below the "freeze line").
Sometime in late March/early April, (while returning home, and before hitting contentious freezing OS temps), I winterize again.
Then I de-winterize again, in May/June, for summer camping/traveling.

IMO, most coaches are "fair weather" coaches and are NOT suited for comfortable living in extremely cold, (or hot), weather.
Mel
'96 Safari Sahara, 35'
130k miles, (103k mine)

--- In Monacoers@yahoogroups.com, Rick Nelson wrote:
>
> Mel,
> Thanks for the response. I'm doing much the same as you, when connected to shore power. I am using the space heater's internal thermostat to control it, while monitoring remotely the temp. That works fine when I have shore power. I'm looking for a solution when I don't.
>
> Do you know how your LP Furnace is heating the bay - is there a
> dedicated forced air vent? Or, is it just in close proximity, to the bay? I really would like to know if there are differences in the LP heater configuration with the "heated bay" option. If I knew that the LP Furnace was intended to heat the bay (some coaches are this way), then I would consider driving with the furnace running. I haven't need it as long as the interior was warmed up prior to departure, the dash heat (and solar gain through the windows) was adequate.
>
> Also, I'm pretty sure that Monaco didn't design the coach to have to run the 12 Volt space heater (or a 110 Volt version) off batteries when dry camping. If they don't pipe heat from the furnace into the bay, what provisions did they make for keeping things from freezing?? Or, are these really just "fair weather" coaches, with dual pane windows for summer heat, not winter cold?
>
>
-Rick N.
> 1997 32-ft Dynasty, 325 Cummins
> On 3/19/2013 3:01 PM, stuplich@... wrote:

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In response to the question about the bay heater. I ha ve had our 06 HR endeavor for almost 6 yrs. and I have never had the bay heater on. I have tried it but it didn't seem to work. It has been 22 degrees here in SW Mo. and I tried it today. It works. It just has to get cold enough.
Bill O.
06 Endeavor

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Bill O,
The reason why it never worked previously is most likely the temp inside the
bay was never cold enough. Do you think?
There is a Snap Disc which will not close unless the temp in the service bay
reaches that magic number. Don't know what your magic number would be for
your Snap Disc.
Richard

02 Windsor PBT
From: Monacoers@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Monacoers@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of Bill O'Dell
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 12:58 PM
To: Monacoers@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Monacoers] Re: Bay Heater

In response to the question about the bay heater. I ha ve had our 06 HR
endeavor for almost 6 yrs. and I have never had the bay heater on. I have
tried it but it didn't seem to work. It has been 22 degrees here in SW Mo.
and I tried it today. It works. It just has to get cold enough.
Bill O.
06 Endeavor



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Richard,
I think that is what I said, the temp never got cold enough.
Bill O.
06 endeavor

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My bay heater has a thermostat and I can dial in the temperature I want.
Phil 07 Dynasty


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Is there a date that Monaco started installing Bay heaters?? We are still finding things that we have and don't have in our 1997 Dynasty and looking through our 10# of paper work that came with the coach did not tell me if we even have one.? Where are they installed and what do they look like?? Since we live at 4200' it would be nice if we had one.

?

We would like to recommend Oregon Light Truck and RV in Central Point, Oregon.? They specialize in engine and chassis repair.? We had done business with them before on our diesel pickup and were impressed.? It is a family run business and they seem to be doing a lot of big coach business.? We had them do fluid changes (since we didn't know what was used last or when it was done) and replace a fried block heater.? It cost about half of what we expected and they found a couple of things that needed to be replaced (ballooned air hose).? The invoice was very detailed and listed parts and fluids used with part numbers and brands so we now know what was used.? We were invited to overnight in their parking lot anytime we are in the area.? Katie is usually at the counter and she has to have a photographic memory to retain all the info she knows about Motorhomes.? We are not newbies but we learned a thing or two just talking to her.? Always nice to get a job well done at a fair price.

?

Paula

1997 Monaco Dynasty 40'

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Paula;

The bay heater will be installed in the wet bay behind the tanks valves.? It is black, about 6" square.

Phil C

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The bay heater that has been discussed here is the RV3000.? It is, memory, tan.? It is a bit bigger that was described in a reply.? You should look on the “Control Panel” or area where your inverter remote and other switches are located.? There SHOULD be an area marked “System Heat”.? There will be a switch labeled POWER and an indicator light marked ACTIVE.? The Power switch provides control power.? When the switch is ON, then if the temperature dropped, then the heater will come on.? That will then turn on the “ACTIVE” light.? Typically, it was a differential temperature
.so if it dropped to 35 dF, the heater came on and stayed on until the temperature reached 40 or 45 dF.? The ACTIVE light would go out.?

I don’t have a clue as to what Monaco used in the earlier years but the RV3000 Cargo Heater was used extensively from say the early 2000’s to at least 2009 and maybe later.

Read your owner’s manual.? It should tell you HOW it works and how the switches are labeled.

You might call Monaco and ask them.? They should be able to have some info from your VIN number.? ?

?

Tom Cherry

09 Camelot 40 QDP

14 Yukon SLT

?

From: Monacoers@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Monacoers@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2017 12:29 PM
To: Monacoers@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Monacoers] Bay Heater

?

?



Is there a date that Monaco started installing Bay heaters?? We are still finding things that we have and don't have in our 1997 Dynasty and looking through our 10# of paper work that came with the coach did not tell me if we even have one.? Where are they installed and what do they look like?? Since we live at 4200' it would be nice if we had one.

?

We would like to recommend Oregon Light Truck and RV in Central Point, Oregon.? They specialize in engine and chassis repair.? We had done business with them before on our diesel pickup and were impressed.? It is a family run business and they seem to be doing a lot of big coach business.? We had them do fluid changes (since we didn't know what was used last or when it was done) and replace a fried block heater.? It cost about half of what we expected and they found a couple of things that needed to be replaced (ballooned air hose).? The invoice was very detailed and listed parts and fluids used with part numbers and brands so we now know what was used.? We were invited to overnight in their parking lot anytime we are in the area.? Katie is usually at the counter and she has to have a photographic memory to retain all the info she knows about Motorhomes.? We are not newbies but we learned a thing or two just talking to her.? Always nice to get a job well done at a fair price.

?

Paula

1997 Monaco Dynasty 40'

?

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