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Atwood Heater and propane usage.


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#1 buckland

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Posted 21 August 2022 - 07:45 PM

I have searched but my question's answer being at best a 'WAG', ballpark, guess-timate I assume it's a probably unworthy but hell why not ask. Having not done winter camper trips and by winter I mean cold, I was wondering how long a 10 pound propane tank lasts.... I know ... too many variables. 

 

But say it is 32 degrees (F) balmy for the most part. And say the thermostat was set at 48...just for 8 hours. How many days would one go on a tank? As FWC have 20 pounds... I was trying to figure how long I could stay out? Daytime temps could be 50. We do not have a thermal pack. That way I can p-lan my route in Big Bend with an eye on propane stations.


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#2 DavidGraves

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Posted 21 August 2022 - 11:40 PM

We dont have a furnace nor fixed propane tank so cannot offer any help.

 

IF you camper has the velcro hanging strip at sides you might want even a wool blanket hanging from it at ....it really seems to impact inside comfort in the cold.

 

Some older wool blankets will stick to the velcro.

 

David Graves


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#3 buckland

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Posted 21 August 2022 - 11:48 PM

Thanks not a bad idea. I used to have old brown army wool blankets and they were real warm ... I'll check online and see if there are any Army/Navy stores ...used to be so many!


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#4 Smokecreek1

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Posted 22 August 2022 - 05:19 AM

I'll tell you what Rob, one of the best things I ever bought for my old 2004 Grandby was that thermal pack. I learned my lesson not to many years after I bought it when I spent a couple of very very cold January  nights at the Border Town RV Park in Reno. Nevada. Back then I had a Aus.Shep/Lab Mix named Babe who had bone cancer and the Reno Pet Hospital  was going to cut off one of her legs so she could may be make another year. The temps were running in the 0-10 degree range in Reno and we had had lots of snow so I planned to drive up from Susanville  the night before and take Babe to the vet in the morning.  I pulled in to the park and tried to pop the top but the snow on the roof had frozen solid and I needed ever tool  I had to break the roof free.  That night I used the thermostat for the first time and set it to around 60 or so and besides not getting much sleep because  of it coming on and off  all the time it used up about half of the propane in the tank.  By the time I got home a few days later I was almost out of propane.  I ordered a thermal pack not to much after that.  ....and like several others on this site, I learned that you never had to take it out because it worked great in hot weather too! Babe survived the operation and we had eight more months to explore her favorite places.

 

We had a thread here several years ago that discussed how long a tank should last-about a week depending on what you used it for (also a good argument for solar).  If I planned to be really out in the boonies longer, I carried a second tank.

 

Smoke


Edited by Smokecreek1, 22 August 2022 - 05:22 AM.

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#5 Vic Harder

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Posted 22 August 2022 - 05:33 AM

Rob, this spring we were in Utah and it got cold out... 25* or so, over night.  We only used the furnace at night.  Grandby with thermal pack.  3 days and the tank was empty.  YMMV.


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#6 craig333

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Posted 22 August 2022 - 07:46 PM

Summer use, which can still involve some heater use if you're at high altitude, I'll make it all summer on one tank. Making coffee, barbecuing etc. Of course I have the larger horizontal tank.


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#7 buckland

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Posted 22 August 2022 - 08:06 PM

Vic I have been going back and forth on the thermal pack even tried a modified home made... screw it ...I called FWC as I had already done all the measurements and asked the turn over time and was very happily told 3-4 weeks... so I will order the pack and be done with it. I am sure it will help as those vinyl sides get frosty and radiate the cold.  I have to say again as I am gearing up for our first real wander ( Alaska, Yukon, Labrador.... they all were more predetermined) So I am getting excited in the planning general locales with highlighted must sees... mostly just want to avoid people!  I have gotten some great leads from WTW folks and I am building the library. It really seems like my dad said... "sometimes you just have to test the depth of water with both feet".


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#8 Vic Harder

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Posted 23 August 2022 - 10:34 PM

Our 6 week wander this spring was awesome. Maybe 6 nights in campgrounds? I did a lot of google earth zooming to find sites. Others do the same, but being there in off season makes a big difference too. Even the camp grounds were largely empty. Have fun!
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#9 DanoT

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Posted 24 August 2022 - 11:46 PM

For winter really cold weather camping, don't try to run the water system, for showers I heat up water on the stove and use a portable shower:  http://www.hotjugz.com/

 

 An arctic package for the soft walls is a must.


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#10 buckland

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Posted 25 August 2022 - 12:06 AM

We have ordered the thermal liner... egads $... should have bought it 11 years ago ... but I can't sew worth a hoot so I guess that's that. 

Yes I made a shower bag gizmo that attaches to the jack stand mounts, holds a solar shower that I also pour in heated water. It has worked fine for us. The more I think I'll not use the water tank. It will have been winterized and I will bring a hose to clear it out in March should the weather turn warm. but we will rely on suitcase 6 water boxes ... 2 1/2 gallon each ... (having lived with our own spring water well at home I just can't drink tap water unless desperate). So store bought water will have to do I suspect a gallon a day per person while remote?

 

 I own a third 10 pounder tank ...fill and take along? ( my Eagle model has two 10 lb tanks)


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2016 Duramax 2.8 Diesel long bed Colorado 4WD with 2011 Eagle

Lordwoodcraft  instagram        Rob
The only people who ever get anyplace interesting are the people who get lost.
Henry David Thoreau
"Work to achieve not to acquire"

 





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