| Author | Message | ||
| Jim Wallin (Powderseeker01)
Registered Member Username: Powderseeker01 Post Number: 53 Registered: 10-2008 Posted From: 208.68.48.77  Rating: N/A |
While we were taking a two week visit to Florida from our bus (fulltiming) in Colorado, the temperatures dropped a little more than I expected. Our recording thermometer showed that a low of -13 degrees was reached while we were gone. The folks in the campground said that half the units froze. Fortunately for us all systems kept operating and our ole Freebird was nice and warm when we returned. | ||
| Edward T McGehee (Bluesman)
Registered Member Username: Bluesman Post Number: 23 Registered: 11-2008 Posted From: 216.220.216.195 Rating: N/A |
Hi , What is your heat source? Do you have heat pads on your tanks? I live in eastern Washington state and if you read my post freezing winter blues you can see I truly sympathize with Nuts that deal with extreme winters. I just finished raising my 18 yo son LOL, and have been trying to head to Az or slab city until at least April. Any winter survival tips would be much appreciated. Im glad to hear you had a break from winter and your home was OK. Cheers Ed | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1043 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 70.212.217.135 Rating: N/A |
And..where in Co were (are) you? BTW....GOOOD show!! Thanx, RCB | ||
| Nellie Wilson (Vivianellie)
Registered Member Username: Vivianellie Post Number: 413 Registered: 11-2008 Posted From: 74.4.55.77  Rating: |
My Lord! A tip of the hat for sheer courage. You must REALLY (not shouting, just emphasizing  ) seek that powder. Man, I spent two long years just to getting my bus in shape to put that stuff in my rearviews. Which makes me wonder: Why didn't you just drive the bus down... 'stead of letting her suffer all alone up there?. Nellie Wilson | ||
| Jim Wallin (Powderseeker01)
Registered Member Username: Powderseeker01 Post Number: 54 Registered: 10-2008 Posted From: 208.68.48.77 Rating: N/A |
Hi All! I'll try to cover all the bases here. We are using a Hydroheat system that circulates water from the water heater (40 gal) for heating. There are no heating pads on our tanks, but we do heat the lower bays, and I have heat tape on the supply hose comin in. I had spray foam applied during remodeling which I can't say enough about, and I put shrinkable plastic insulation on the windows. When it gets near zero I will put a small electric space heater on the entry stairs, an area where I plan to add some more insulation. We are able to easily maintain 75-77 degrees inside. We are in Loveland Colorado and plan to be here at least until summer. The powder is REALLY (REALLY) good here this time of year. We just went back on a quick trip to Florida to see our son graduate from college, so it didn't seem to make sense to drive the bus since we were coming right back here. Thanks for all the nice thoughts! | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 509 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 69.143.41.152  Rating: N/A |
Do you have any idea how many amps (typical) your system pulls "at rest" (i.e. the minimum amps just running along without anything you add on purpose like a microwave, lights, tv etc.)? And congrats on your son's achievement. | ||
| ED Hackenbruch (Shadowman)
Registered Member Username: Shadowman Post Number: 214 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 70.212.254.174 Rating: N/A |
What would have happened if a storm had knocked out all of the power in the area though? What a mess that could be with all of your plumbing broken. Ya got more guts than me, i would have worried the whole time i was gone. :>) | ||
| Rob Norgren (Robsedona)
Registered Member Username: Robsedona Post Number: 206 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 75.212.207.58  Rating: N/A |
Who makes your Hydroheat system and what does it run on? | ||
| Jim Wallin (Powderseeker01)
Registered Member Username: Powderseeker01 Post Number: 55 Registered: 10-2008 Posted From: 173.14.23.49 Rating: N/A |
Ok, Bruce... I don't know what the operating load is, but for heating there is only a blower and a small water pump running, so I would expect the load to be fairly nominal. Ed, If the power had gone out I would've been screwed at those temperatures whether I was there or not if it had been off for long. The worry I had was that I was depending on the RV park folks to keey my propane tank topped off. I did turn off the water going into the bus in order to minimize the mess in the event of a problem. All of my plumbing is cpvc so it is easily repaired if necessary. Rob, the system is anb Apollo Hydroheat system for a conventional home. I had one before and was very pleased so I decided to go that way in the bus. I will add however that I suspect that most bus nuts would balk at the space required for the air handler, but I am happy...and warm. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 1037 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.78.56  Rating: N/A |
It seems like we're always fighting either the heat or the cold!  It's just not safe to go out anymore. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1045 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.208.68.224 Rating: N/A |
Everything is relative.... ... I lived in Gunnison and Almont, ... among several CO other places... for a bunch of years. During the winter temps would drop to -25 on occasion. This "living" was in a 5th wheel (36ft). The "plumbing" was kept alive with light bulbs when we left for several days. All incoming water turned off, wrapped from source with heat tape and furnace (Coleman) turned off as well. While we have a Webasto in the coach and absolutely "love" it, would not chance it for such a long period of time...batteries...elec failure, etc etc. BTDT. BTW... while I am very familiar with the Loveland Ski Area.....I did not know that Loveland CO had much "powder"....isn't that on the northern Co Plains...as I recall? Never skied there... Best wishes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and Merry Christmas! RCB | ||
| Jim Wallin (Powderseeker01)
Registered Member Username: Powderseeker01 Post Number: 56 Registered: 10-2008 Posted From: 208.68.48.77 Rating: N/A |
You're right, it is on the plains.....and while skiing here is not really an option, the powder is real. And an hour and twenty minutes will put you into some of the best powder glades in the world. Some of which are just over the pass from the Loveland Ski Area. | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1763 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.69.142.222  Rating: N/A |
Gravity fed, diesel fired, no power needed, cook stove or furnace, from the marine folks, leaves you worry free. One I have purchased from, there are others... http://www.dickinsonmarine.com/ Equip it with water coils and let your creative designs flow? They have business operations in both Canada and the US, so order without fear of border related charges. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 406 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 173.77.206.109  Rating: N/A |
I spent a winter aboard a 37 Tayana in Huntington Harbor NY in 1992 i think,and it had a Dickinson Diesel heater. I was supprised at how much heat it put out and how much fuel it used. boats arent that well insulated. The next year i went back to my 26' and was much warmer, less space to heat and better set up. |
