Heating

[Annie3]

Hello I have been told that running the gas and electric heating together gives a better heat output.
Can anyone advise how you do run these side by side I have only ever used the electric on its own or the gas fire.
The van is a 2010 Bailey Senator California with a Truma heating system.

Regards Annie

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

If, as you say, you have used gas and electricity separately then just switch on both as you have already done. It doesn't matter in which order you switch them on.

 

[Hutch]

IF i remember correctly my old Coachman would heat up better if I didn't turn on the blowers, and really hot , with gas and electric.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Annie.

As other have written, you can use both the gas and electric sides of the heater simultaneously, which increased the heat input into the caravan which will allow it to warm up more rapidly.

Hutch suggest not using the blown air will speed up the process and make it hotter, a point that has some truth but fails to mention the way convected hot air from the heater (Gas and /or electric) will collect at the top of the caravan whilst leaving cooler air at floor level, which a lot of people find quite uncomfortable. It also won't heat up the whole caravan, so separate rooms such as the bathroom or end bedroom and to some extend the under bed lockers will still be quite cold.

By adjusting the warm air registers and using the blown air system you can reduce the stratification and have a much more even temperature floor to ceiling, and it will warm up the extremities of the caravan, but because you are effectively heating a larger volume, it will take a little longer with the blown air running, but you do get a much more comfortable whole caravan.

 

[Pursuitpaul]

When we get to our next site tomorrow afternoon, we will set the heating on gas and electric. We, no, Lizzie will get the temperature up to 23 degrees, then turn the gas off. For the rest of our stay we will only use electric.
When we get to the next site the procedure will be repeated!
Why use gas when the electric is paid for!

To add to that we only use one blower outlet in the main caravan and one outlet in the bathroom.
Both end up as toasty warm.

 

[Raywood]

We use both together and have never had a problem. Once up to heat you can turn one off but check the amp rating of the hook up as if you are on one under 16 amps switching on other electric items could blow the fuse.

 

[Mike_S]

Hi Annie

We have a 2009 California but don't bother running the heating on gas and electricity - we use gas for a rapid warm-up but generally electricity is more than adequate. Also "if the heater is operated simultaneously with electricity and gas, the electric unit will switch itself off before overheating occurs as a result of the more powerful gas burner" - quote from the Bailey handbook. I also agree with the Prof re using the fan. No fan gives quick but localised warmth: using the fan gives a more even, but slower warm-up.

Related to this, you may be interested to know that on page 87 of the February 2011 issue of the mag was an excellent article giving details of how to include a programmer to control the electric "side" of the heating. No more waking up in a cold caravan! Modesty prevents me from naming the author!!

Mike

 

[Hutch]

I have in our Coachman 560, the combined, heater/ alarm clock, with snooze function, when on timer,
The heater comes on at the time set, 3 minutes later the blower sets its self of like a tube train, for 5 minutes, then silence for 10 minutes, another blast for 5 minutes and then silent again,
You get used to it in the end.
This is only with the heating not the water.
Love the van, don't like the latest.