Hi Gang,

Well, Conrad figured out the furnace thing... I have two wall thermostats. One for the furnace. The other for the a/c-heat pump.... for reasons I don't understand it has to be in the "on" postion as well as the other one. It even has a furnace mode which we discovered this afternoon.

Hunter

By Chris Bryant on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 05:18 pm:

This is kind of strange- typically, the heat pump thermostat is the only one you need- they are set to kick on the furnace when the outside temp drops to a certain point, or to give the option of running *just* the furnace.

Have you tried it with just the heatpump t-stat? (leaving the furnace t-stat off).

By owner-airstream@airstream.net on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 05:19 pm:

Duh,

Well, ain't you the smart one..... just tried it and it works. Okay, so what does the other thermostat do???? What's it for? Why didn't ou tell me this last week?

Blondie

By Chris Bryant on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 05:21 pm:

Actually, I thought I had, but I went back through my outbox, and discovered that I had not (who's saying duh now?... Of course, now we men say Dohhh.)

The only thing I can think is that the Heat pump was a last minute option (?)

Of course- we _never_ have to run our furnaces in Florida .. (and I've got some high and dry swamp land for sale;-)

Chris Bryant
Bryant RV Services
DeLand, Florida

By John Hilty on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 05:21 pm:

I'm confused, or just illinformed, as usual. I don't have a heat pump, at least I don't think I do. What models and year did heat pumps enter the airsteam experience?

John H.

By owner-airstream@airstream.net on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 05:23 pm:

Hi John,

What it is is a Penquin Duo therm air conditioner by Dometic. It is the roof air conditioner. The last trailer I had had an air conditioner with a heat strip.... it didn't work on a wall thermostat... this one does. My trailer is a 1996. The other one was a 1994.

I'm guessing this heat pump thing is a new thing.

Sorry, I can't be more help.

Hunter

By Robert D. Noyes on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 05:24 pm:

The heat pump was available in '97, possibly earlier. Use electricity to heat rather than gas. The newer models also have electric heat in the water heaters a la "Hot Shot." Sweet and saves gas.

By owner-airstream@airstream.net on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 05:25 pm:

The newer models also have electric heat in the water heaters a la "Hot Shot." Sweet and saves gas.


I just had one of those installed while I was in Texas......... less than 100.00.

Hunter

By jim clark on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 05:26 pm:

Is the electric in addition to the gas??? or just an electric water heater???

By Robert D. Noyes on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 05:27 pm:

Yeah, and it acts like you have all the hot water in the world when you run the gas in conjunction with the Hot Shot. Now if that shower just had a higher GPM flow rate . . .

I just had one of those installed while I was in Texas......... less than 100.00.

By Robert D. Noyes on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 05:28 pm:

Jim -

It is an electric rod inserted into the tank and works in addition to the gas. Very sweet setup.

By Lermillard on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 05:29 pm:

Hunter, just what does the Hot Shot do?

Verna

By owner-airstream@airstream.net on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 05:30 pm:

It's a hot water heater.... goes into your hot water tank. That way, when you are at a campground and paying for electricity... you can heat your hot water with their electric rather than your gas.

Hunter

By Howard Lefkowitz on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 05:31 pm:

The only problem I know of with these heaters is they do away with the drain plug. You now must remove the heater in order to drain the tank. It is very important to drain the tank after every trip or whenever it is going to be stored. This will help to extend the life of the water tank. So take out the heater when the tank has to be drained.

By Robert D. Noyes on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 05:32 pm:

Yes, but is it any harder to unscrew the heater than it was the drain plug?


The only problem I know of with these heaters is they do away with the drain plug. You now must remove the heater in order to drain the tank.

. . . taking a trip, not taking a trip . . .

By owner-airstream@airstream.net on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 05:33 pm:

When and why would I drain the tank?

Hunter

By Robert D. Noyes on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 05:34 pm:

HH -

The heater to be removed is the Hot Shot. I have heard the same story and I think it is because of the crud and lime. The electrode can be cleaned on a 3 or 6 month basis to keep lime scale off the electrode. The electrode does not heat as well when coATED WITH LIME, OR ANYTHING ELSE.

l8r