First time furnace questios

[Towerns]

Hi…couple of first timer furnace questions. How do you start/run the furnace ( I think I know, but thought I’d check with you pros) and will the furnace run on battery power.

Thanks

[ARoamer]

Just like a household furnace, except gas has to be on at the tank/s.
Yes, the RV furnaces run on 12v DC battery power, and they do use quite a bit of power for the fan, a typical RV furnace will draw 8 to 9 amps of power. If you have one 100AH lead acid battery it would run one about 4-5 hrs continuous before your battery should be recharged. If it's a cold night, and your battery is undersized you may get cold overnight......

[Jerry713]

ARoamer answered it well. Battery will run it but not for long unless you have several batteries.

If your RV is used and this is the first time starting the furnace this year I would disconnect all power, open up the furnace cover inside your camper (should be a plastic square cover) and using a shop vac try and vacuum out as much dust as possible. Even wipe around with your hand and a clean rag just be careful (I'd wear gloves) the metal is sharp inside. Also go outside where your furnace exhaust vent is (likely a chrome plate), open it up and try and get as much dust out of that vent as possible. While you're there inspect the tubes and make sure they're not stopped up with dirt dobber nests or any other obstructions. Also pull all the registers off your floor coverings and vacuum them out as well. A long skinny adapter for the shop vac comes in handy. If you don't do this when you turn on the furnace you could have dust blow everywhere.

[CAG]

If you were not given user manuals for the various equipment in the RV you may want to get the make and model of those you have questions about and do an on-line search for the company web site. Most will have manuals posted.

[Pickledill]

In fairness unless you are camping in temps below freezing your furnace will probably run 15 min on the hour and a single battery will get you through an evening without worry.

[Yooper906]

Originally Posted by Pickledill

In fairness unless you are camping in temps below freezing your furnace will probably run 15 min on the hour and a single battery will get you through an evening without worry.

With a single lead acid battery you are correct. Dry camping with no electrical hookup, there is no way a single LA battery will last through the night running the furnace.