Maintenance & Restoration

Brian B-P · 10-06-2007, 09:38 AM

Quote:

The dealer tells me that the current propane heaters draw 14 Amps for the fan. This seems excessive to me, does this sound accurate? If so it would deplete a battery in short order when the furnace was running.

I have a Suburban NT12-MEC; while it is almost three decades old, I don't think the new ones are much different. While I certainly notice the power draw (I recently mentioned in another thread that the lights dim when it comes on), I don't see an actual current rating in the manual, and have not measured it. I would be concerned about running the furnace on battery for any extended period.

To avoid the fan's power consumption, the currently popular solution is to use a radiant heater, such as the catalytic types. They are typically also unvented, and safe to use that way with proper ventilation.

Patrick M. · 10-06-2007, 10:59 AM

Quote:

The dealer tells me that the current propane heaters draw 14 Amps for the fan. This seems excessive to me, does this sound accurate? If so it would deplete a battery in short order when the furnace was running.

I just looked through my Suburban heater manual and could not find the amp draw anywhere, other than 1 amp for the electronic ignition when it is firing, but I've used it dry camping late in the day through the night and it was running strong in the morning. It may draw that, but only running 5 minutes every 30 (or whatever) means it can easily keep you warm at least the first night off a full charge!

Byron Kinnaman · 10-06-2007, 11:04 PM

Quote:

The dealer tells me that the current propane heaters draw 14 Amps for the fan. This seems excessive to me, does this sound accurate? If so it would deplete a battery in short order when the furnace was running. Other than that I think you have convinced me to buy the one with propane heat and water heater and cooking. Thanks for the in-put.

Homer

He's wrong, very wrong. I just measured the current for my propane heater. 2 Amps for the fan, maybe another 1/2 amp for the igniter. The igniter isn't on quite long enough for my DMM sampling to get an accurate reading.