2016 Granby here....and I have learned the following over the last few years winter camping here at 10,000 feet;
The FWC does little to insulate from outside temps in serious cold. If 0F outside without furnace during the night you will near 0F inside during the night. So know that and operate accordingly.
If temps will be below about 25F have no water anywhere in the systems.
Not in the hot water heater,
not in the lines,
not in the tank,
Not in shower faucet lines,
not in the toilet flush tank (if you have one).
It will eventually freeze and break a line, split a plastic fitting or ruin your water pump (all known from experience).
Just drain it all and Ive never had an issue since doing so.
I always pour a small pot of water and leave it on the stove overnight. Even if it freezes I just light the stove and wallah...coffee ready.
I keep two 1 gallon water jugs during these times and even if they mostly freeze in the camper overnight there is still some water enough to boil on the stove and hold a jug over it and you have water to use pretty quick.
I camp in Silvethorne and Dillon CO 3 nights a week.
This week we had -10 windchill one night but in general we get down close to 0 each night (this is a regular mercury thermometer in my Granby so I consider that an accurate "feels like" read as opposed to just whats posted on a cellphone weather app)
Jugs mostly froze left a little unfrozen. Stay cozy and warm with the furnace going to bed, turn back on when you get up and be toasty while you have your coffee etc in 72F with the furnace running....all good.
I spoke with FWC about a possible lower speed furnace fan but does'nt seem doable with my FWC provided Atwood as it is.
I did do something recently that has reduced the on off cycling of the furnace and I am happy with the results....
I moved the thermostat to the cabinet wall facing the bed as opposed to where FWC delivered it with it facing the frig. Just doing that which now moves it away from the furnace vent exposing it to a more "overall inside temp" as opposed to less than 24" from the furnace vent has reduced cycling.
I may do some actual furnace cycling time trials soon and post. I did that last week and found;
- at 0F outside
- with the thermal pack installed
- Thermostat set at 50F
- I was getting approximately 5 minutes of run time with the furnace
- 2.5 minues off
- Then 5 mnutes run time again.
Also I give the camper credit for the furnace's effeciency. One thing I really love about it is that even if it gets bitter cold, the furnace turned on will typically move the temp 20 degrees in less that 10 minutes so getting back to a comfortable enviornment is easy.
I hope some of this helps.
Edited by patrkbukly, 21 December 2020 - 11:43 PM.
] to freeze!
