Quit Losing Junk Down The Heater Vents...

[RJOL]

One of the first things I noticed, after we got our HH, was that the location of the heater vents were perfect for collecting small pieces of garbage, coins, dog food, and more.  Once down the "rabbit hole" the junk was pretty much gone, until your heater came on and then it would rattle around in the vent pipe.  I fixed this problem by adding plastic door screen to each vent.  The first photo shows the unprotected vent, and why it is great for collecting junk.  The second photo shows a piece of plastic window vent screen, cut to the outline of the cover, and placed over the hole (when the cover is put on, it will push the screen into the hole and tighten up).   The last photo is the completed project.  Very inexpensive... takes just a few minutes per vent...  and hopefully will keep most junk from dropping into the hole... 

[HHDreamer]

One of the first things I noticed, after we got our HH, was that the location of the heater vents were perfect for collecting small pieces of garbage, coins, dog food, and more.  Once down the "rabbit hole" the junk was pretty much gone, until your heater came on and then it would rattle around in the vent pipe.  I fixed this problem by adding plastic door screen to each vent.  The first photo shows the unprotected vent, and why it is great for collecting junk.  The second photo shows a piece of plastic window vent screen, cut to the outline of the cover, and placed over the hole (when the cover is put on, it will push the screen into the hole and tighten up).   The last photo is the completed project.  Very inexpensive... takes just a few minutes per vent...  and hopefully will keep most junk from dropping into the hole... 

Rick,

That looks great, I had an idea to do the same thing when we get our trailer!!!     Good job!!!   

Wes

[Jeff Collingwood]

One of the first things I noticed, after we got our HH, was that the location of the heater vents were perfect for collecting small pieces of garbage, coins, dog food, and more.  Once down the "rabbit hole" the junk was pretty much gone, until your heater came on and then it would rattle around in the vent pipe.  I fixed this problem by adding plastic door screen to each vent.  The first photo shows the unprotected vent, and why it is great for collecting junk.  The second photo shows a piece of plastic window vent screen, cut to the outline of the cover, and placed over the hole (when the cover is put on, it will push the screen into the hole and tighten up).   The last photo is the completed project.  Very inexpensive... takes just a few minutes per vent...  and hopefully will keep most junk from dropping into the hole... 

Rick,

That looks great, I had an idea to do the same thing when we get our trailer!!!     Good job!!!   

Wes

There is also anther way.  Camping World sells the vents the same size and they can close.  The only thing bad about that is you might forget to open them before you start the furnace.  I had a little difficulty installing mine where the vent comes in the box horizontally.  The vent sticks into the box a little and it interfered with the closing mechanism.  I had to turn the vent cover 180 degrees.  The close able vents cost less than $4 each.
...Jeff...

[RJOL]

Rick,

That looks great, I had an idea to do the same thing when we get our trailer!!!     Good job!!!   

Wes

Wes.. When are you going to post some photos of your factory tour.   We did this when we bought our Alpenlite, as the factory was only a couple hundred miles from home, and really enjoyed seeing them built.  Ours was somewhere on the line, but they couldn't specifically identify it, as they kept us pretty much clear of the immediate assemble area.  I have photos of the one I thought is was, but didn't know for sure... You're going to love your new HH...  

[RJOL]

There is also anther way.  Camping World sells the vents the same size and they can close.  The only thing bad about that is you might forget to open them before you start the furnace.  I had a little difficulty installing mine where the vent comes in the box horizontally.  The vent sticks into the box a little and it interfered with the closing mechanism.  I had to turn the vent cover 180 degrees.  The close able vents cost less than $4 each.
...Jeff...

I thought about that, Jeff, but after Mike talked about the heating system problems you could create, if you close off all the vents by mistake, and forget to open some of them, I decided on this method.  The heating pattern of our trailer seems to be okay, so I don't want to restrict any of the vents... 

[Jeff Collingwood]

There is also anther way.  Camping World sells the vents the same size and they can close.  The only thing bad about that is you might forget to open them before you start the furnace.  I had a little difficulty installing mine where the vent comes in the box horizontally.  The vent sticks into the box a little and it interfered with the closing mechanism.  I had to turn the vent cover 180 degrees.  The close able vents cost less than $4 each.
...Jeff...

I thought about that, Jeff, but after Mike talked about the heating system problems you could create, if you close off all the vents by mistake, and forget to open some of them, I decided on this method.  The heating pattern of our trailer seems to be okay, so I don't want to restrict any of the vents... 

Right.   I didn't due it to redirect flow, just to keep junk out.  I am satisfied with the air flow the way it is.  I saw these close able vents in Bill Teetz's DA.  I needed to do something anyway as one of the vent covers broke when somebody stood on it.  I thought these covers were pretty neat.  You screen method looks great also.  Looks like you picked a large enough screen to not reduce flow but small enough to stop debris.
...Jeff...

[RJOL]

Right.   I didn't due it to redirect flow, just to keep junk out.  I am satisfied with the air flow the way it is.  I saw these close able vents in Bill Teetz's DA.  I needed to do something anyway as one of the vent covers broke when somebody stood on it.  I thought these covers were pretty neat.  You screen method looks great also.  Looks like you picked a large enough screen to not reduce flow but small enough to stop debris.
...Jeff...

It's just normal screen door material, but the plastic (?) type, not metal.  If they start to clog up from lint or something, it takes literally about a minute to remove the screen and clean it off.  Don't know exactly what type of covers you are using, but I did see all sorts of them at Home Depot (wood, brass, plastic, and painted metal).  I think they might have them in the RV size, but I haven't measured them to check that.  If I ever decide to close one of them off, to redirect flow, I'll check there before going to the RV parts store...

[Jeff Collingwood]

Right.   I didn't due it to redirect flow, just to keep junk out.  I am satisfied with the air flow the way it is.  I saw these close able vents in Bill Teetz's DA.  I needed to do something anyway as one of the vent covers broke when somebody stood on it.  I thought these covers were pretty neat.  You screen method looks great also.  Looks like you picked a large enough screen to not reduce flow but small enough to stop debris.
...Jeff...

It's just normal screen door material, but the plastic (?) type, not metal.  It they start to clog up from lint of something, it takes literally about a minute to remove the screen and clean it off.  Don't know exactly what type of covers you are using, but I did see all sorts of them at Home Depot (wood, brass, plastic, and painted metal).  I think they might have them in the RV size, but I haven't measured them to check that.  If I ever decide to close one of them off, to redirect flow, I'll check there before going to the RV parts store...

Camping World is the place if it is convenient to you.  They are probably pretty standard so going to Home Depot probably works too.  Besides, I am a stockholder in Home Depot so your purchase will help my stock investment 
...Jeff...

[RJOL]

Camping World is the place if it is convenient to you.  They are probably pretty standard so going to Home Depot probably works too.  Besides, I am a stockholder in Home Depot so your purchase will help my stock investment 
...Jeff...

Yes we have a CW in our area, but I already give them enough of my money...    Sometimes they are the only place to find RV stuff, and sometimes it's cheaper, but a lot of times you pay the RV premium price just because it's an RV... 

[HHDreamer]

Wes.. When are you going to post some photos of your factory tour.   We did this when we bought our Alpenlite, as the factory was only a couple hundred miles from home, and really enjoyed seeing them built.  Ours was somewhere on the line, but they couldn't specifically identify it, as they kept us pretty much clear of the immediate assemble area.  I have photos of the one I thought is was, but didn't know for sure... You're going to love your new HH...  

Rick,

Have one as my signature picture and another is in this thread:  http://nuwaowners.org/forum//index.php?topic=1388.0  I didn't know that Tonia had slowed down the shutter speed on our camera, I kind of smeared a bunch of them!!!       

Wes

[LoneGranger]

Have one as my signature picture and another is in this thread:  http://nuwaowners.org/forum//index.php?topic=1388.0  I didn't know that Tonia had slowed down the shutter speed on our camera, I kind of smeared a bunch of them!!!       

Wes

I think it is the prettiest one of all!

[HHDreamer]

I think it is the prettiest one of all!

                                     

[Ancient Mariner]

I've also put screens on the vents.  I took a more difficult route though.
I bought some screen door frame and split it lengthwise with a dremel tool.  It clips onto those lips on the underside of the vents.  Drilled two holes and put some small screws in to hold them in place.  I got pictures last night and I'll try to post them today.

[newnuwa]

Here's what I did the day we got our HH.  Covered all the vents with a piece of nylon (as in pantyhose).  Works perfect.  No air flow restriction.   Both our vents are in the path for "stuff".  Betsy.

[Ancient Mariner]

Here's the pictures of how I did the screens.

http://nuwaowners.org/photogallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1158

[RJOL]

Greg... Looks good and a little more permanent... 

[HHDreamer]

Good job Greg!!!   

Wes

[CampingCaptain]

Looks good Greg.

Bryan 

[racebum]

Thanks Rick. Thanks Greg.

   This is a great idea. I usually keep our 12volt refrig, that we carry in the truck when traveling, over the vent that's located on floor behind the sink counter on our 29.5LKTG. I'm a little nervous of stuff falling into the vent. Of course, I move the refrig when we are using the furnace. Thanks again for the pictures and idea. That is what makes this forum great.

Wayne

[katmann343]

Been planning to do something like this for quite a while. To day is the day     

[HHDreamer]

This was a great idea, went on and did it also!!!   

Wes