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Old 11-08-2017, 01:39 AM   #1
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Noisy LP furnace - mod to existing furnace

As many of us have probably noticed, the LP furnaces in most RV's, with probably the exception of the high end coaches, they are very noisy when they run. The two main "noise" attributes seem to be the actual air blower and then the LP firing once that gets going. Unfortunate for me, I can't sleep well with noise of any kind. When the furnace kicks in, it sometimes wakes me up. Has anyone toyed around with the idea of somehow making theirs less noisy through some modification? I know that there is an electric heating element available for these common furnaces but I believe last time I saw that price tag it was "juice not worth the squeeze" plus that only maybe solves one of the furnace noise attributes.

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Old 11-08-2017, 01:41 AM   #2
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Have you tried some ceramic electric heaters?
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Old 11-08-2017, 01:55 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by schreinertms View Post
As many of us have probably noticed, the LP furnaces in most RV's, with probably the exception of the high end coaches, they are very noisy when they run. The two main "noise" attributes seem to be the actual air blower and then the LP firing once that gets going. Unfortunate for me, I can't sleep well with noise of any kind. When the furnace kicks in, it sometimes wakes me up. Has anyone toyed around with the idea of somehow making theirs less noisy through some modification? I know that there is an electric heating element available for these common furnaces but I believe last time I saw that price tag it was "juice not worth the squeeze" plus that only maybe solves one of the furnace noise attributes.
Plus, Atwood specifically warns against modifying their furnaces with the electric element.

As Jamie said, ceramic heaters is probably the best bet. You will need to add heat down below (wet bays) if you are camping below zero.

My plan is ceramic heaters in the coach, and Davis Dryer 500 units in the cargo compartments. The Davis units aren't cheap, but I think safer than putting small 250 watt ceramic heaters down below.

Another option for down below is heat lamps.
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Old 11-08-2017, 02:33 AM   #4
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We use an electric heater, which very quietly provides all the heat we need. Goes without saying, we are plugged into shore power when using electric heat.
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Old 11-08-2017, 06:15 PM   #5
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Quite a few boondockers use Mr. Heater or Olympian Wave heaters inside their RV's.
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Old 11-08-2017, 06:37 PM   #6
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Would earplugs help?
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Old 11-08-2017, 11:03 PM   #7
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After giving this a bit more thought: how about if you add some sound deadening material to the furnace's compartment?
Use the same stuff that you'd use to insulate the doghouse over the engine.
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Old 11-09-2017, 05:35 PM   #8
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After giving this a bit more thought: how about if you add some sound deadening material to the furnace's compartment?
Use the same stuff that you'd use to insulate the doghouse over the engine.
Bob, that could work pretty well. I know that some of my noise is the wind thru the system and the fan, however, if I decide to do something about it, I would probably try some sound deadening stuff and techniques.

Not sure I will do that very soon, due to just the access to the unit and everything. Mine is under the fridge! Not really "fit" for that

However, I will most likely get that damper that Halfprice and others have installed into the bedroom duct. Maybe that will push air into the living quarters.
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Old 11-09-2017, 05:50 PM   #9
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Not sure sound deadening material in the compartment would be that helpful, since the majority of noise would be fan noise and probably emitting though the register opening. Might help some, though.
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Old 11-09-2017, 06:52 PM   #10
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Let us know how much it helps; good luck!
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