Adding a boiler to an 86 PT

[Scott Forman]

I have been watching closely the thread that has been discussing adding
boilers to the older coaches. I would love to have one in my 86 PT.
How do I go about doing this project? It seems to me that all one has
to do it tap in to the chassis heater system, correct? How big and
expensive a project is this?

Scott Forman
86 PT38
Memphis

[nhwnaderer]

I am considering this too for our 83 FC. I was speaking with a Webasto
distributer/
dealer/ service facility last week. He quoted me (over the phone) Webeasto 2010
(45K
BTU) $1,600 and installation would be in the $500 range. From what I have seen,
this
may be pretty fair. I see prices on the net that are double that.

http://www.webasto.us/am/en/am_busses_heaters_2780.html
http://www.webasto.us/am/en/am_busses_heaters_819.html

NH-Bill
1983 FC 35
-- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...> wrote:
>
> I have been watching closely the thread that has been discussing adding
> boilers to the older coaches. I would love to have one in my 86 PT.
> How do I go about doing this project? It seems to me that all one has
> to do it tap in to the chassis heater system, correct? How big and
> expensive a project is this?
>
> Scott Forman
> 86 PT38
> Memphis
>

[Mike Hohnstein]

Here's what I did. Mounted the boiler in the front curb side compartment, tapped the generator for the fuel supply. Using T-connectors I accessed the supply and return water lines wired it up and flipped the switch. I replaced theauxillary circulation pump in the rear of the coach with a higher capacity unit. I doubt this upgrade is cheaper to operate as compared to propane but it adds an additional heat source and preheats the engine faster than the electric engine heater.

A word on fuel supply, it's always a good idea to isolate the supply to each fuel using component with a dedicated check valve. Back flow and air in the lines are your enemy.

MH

----- Original Message -----

From: "sforman@renasant.com"

To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"

Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 8:38 AM

Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Adding a boiler to an 86 PT

I have been watching closely the thread that has been discussing adding
boilers to the older coaches. I would love to have one in my 86 PT.
How do I go about doing this project? It seems to me that all one has
to do it tap in to the chassis heater system, correct? How big and
expensive a project is this?

Scott Forman
86 PT38
Memphis

[Scott Forman]

To me, this is most useful for hot water and engine heating rather
than coach heating. I really must say that I think not giving the
option of propane for water heat is the biggest error BB made in
these coaches.

Scott

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
<MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote:
>
> Here's what I did. Mounted the boiler in the front curb side
compartment, tapped the generator for the fuel supply. Using T-
connectors I accessed the supply and return water lines wired it up
and flipped the switch. I replaced the auxillary circulation pump in
the rear of the coach with a higher capacity unit. I doubt this
upgrade is cheaper to operate as compared to propane but it adds an
additional heat source and preheats the engine faster than the
electric engine heater.
> A word on fuel supply, it's always a good idea to isolate the
supply to each fuel using component with a dedicated check valve.
Back flow and air in the lines are your enemy.
> MH
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Scott Forman
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 8:38 AM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Adding a boiler to an 86 PT
>
>
> I have been watching closely the thread that has been discussing
adding
> boilers to the older coaches. I would love to have one in my 86
PT.
> How do I go about doing this project? It seems to me that all one
has
> to do it tap in to the chassis heater system, correct? How big
and
> expensive a project is this?
>
> Scott Forman
> 86 PT38
> Memphis
>

[susanmarycamilleri]

I agree with Scott WRT the propane water heater. I installed a
attwood 6 gal water heater in my 35' FC. I retained the electric
water heater, so I have the option of using either elec when
available, or propane when I am without hook-ups, and I do not want
to run the generator. I bought mine at camping world for approx $250
but you can get them cheaper on EBay. Ebay also has some interesting
tankless systems.

Pete
"Prairie Dog"
78 35'FC


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...>
wrote:
>
> To me, this is most useful for hot water and engine heating rather
> than coach heating. I really must say that I think not giving the
> option of propane for water heat is the biggest error BB made in
> these coaches.
>
> Scott
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
> <MHOHNSTEIN@> wrote:
> >
> > Here's what I did. Mounted the boiler in the front curb side
> compartment, tapped the generator for the fuel supply. Using T-
> connectors I accessed the supply and return water lines wired it up
> and flipped the switch. I replaced the auxillary circulation pump
in
> the rear of the coach with a higher capacity unit. I doubt this
> upgrade is cheaper to operate as compared to propane but it adds an
> additional heat source and preheats the engine faster than the
> electric engine heater.
> > A word on fuel supply, it's always a good idea to isolate the
> supply to each fuel using component with a dedicated check valve.
> Back flow and air in the lines are your enemy.
> > MH
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Scott Forman
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 8:38 AM
> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Adding a boiler to an 86 PT
> >
> >
> > I have been watching closely the thread that has been
discussing
> adding
> > boilers to the older coaches. I would love to have one in my 86
> PT.
> > How do I go about doing this project? It seems to me that all
one
> has
> > to do it tap in to the chassis heater system, correct? How big
> and
> > expensive a project is this?
> >
> > Scott Forman
> > 86 PT38
> > Memphis
> >
>

[Bill Garamella]

Pete,

Where did you locate the Attwood? Does it vent like the Surbubans?

NH-Bill
1983 FC 35 SB

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "susanmarycamilleri"
wrote:
>
> I agree with Scott WRT the propane water heater. I installed a
> attwood 6 gal water heater in my 35' FC. I retained the electric
> water heater, so I have the option of using either elec when
> available, or propane when I am without hook-ups, and I do not want
> to run the generator. I bought mine at camping world for approx $250
> but you can get them cheaper on EBay. Ebay also has some interesting
> tankless systems.
>
> Pete
> "Prairie Dog"
> 78 35'FC
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@>
> wrote:
> >
> > To me, this is most useful for hot water and engine heating rather
> > than coach heating. I really must say that I think not giving the
> > option of propane for water heat is the biggest error BB made in
> > these coaches.
> >
> > Scott
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
> > <MHOHNSTEIN@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Here's what I did. Mounted the boiler in the front curb side
> > compartment, tapped the generator for the fuel supply. Using T-
> > connectors I accessed the supply and return water lines wired it up
> > and flipped the switch. I replaced the auxillary circulation pump
> in
> > the rear of the coach with a higher capacity unit. I doubt this
> > upgrade is cheaper to operate as compared to propane but it adds an
> > additional heat source and preheats the engine faster than the
> > electric engine heater.
> > > A word on fuel supply, it's always a good idea to isolate the
> > supply to each fuel using component with a dedicated check valve.
> > Back flow and air in the lines are your enemy.
> > > MH
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Scott Forman
> > > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > > Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 8:38 AM
> > > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Adding a boiler to an 86 PT
> > >
> > >
> > > I have been watching closely the thread that has been
> discussing
> > adding
> > > boilers to the older coaches. I would love to have one in my 86
> > PT.
> > > How do I go about doing this project? It seems to me that all
> one
> > has
> > > to do it tap in to the chassis heater system, correct? How big
> > and
> > > expensive a project is this?
> > >
> > > Scott Forman
> > > 86 PT38
> > > Memphis
> > >
> >
>

[Pete Masterson]

My coach came with an AquaHot unit as standard. I note that it has its own small Racor fuel filter. The burner nozzle has a very fine hole to turn the diesel into a mist to burn efficiently. Any debris that gets to the nozzle has a high chance of clogging it. There is a second fuel filter in the fuel line after the Racor. So, do consider adding appropriate fuel filters (and regularly replace the elements as necessary).

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Feb 10, 2008, at 7:17 AM, Scott Forman wrote:

To me, this is most useful for hot water and engine heating rather 

than coach heating.  I really must say that I think not giving the 

option of propane for water heat is the biggest error BB made in 

these coaches.  

Scott

--- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", "Mike Hohnstein" 

<MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote:

Here's  what I did.  Mounted the boiler in the front curb side 

compartment, tapped the generator for the fuel supply.  Using T-

connectors I accessed the supply and return water lines wired it up 

and flipped the switch.  I replaced the auxillary circulation pump in 

the rear of the coach with a higher capacity unit.  I doubt this 

upgrade is cheaper to operate as compared to propane but it adds an 

additional heat source and preheats the engine faster than the 

electric engine heater.

A word on fuel supply, it's always a good idea to isolate the 

supply to each fuel using component with a dedicated check valve.  

Back flow and air in the lines are your enemy.

[susanmarycamilleri]

Bill

I put it under the kitchen sink. The heater just fit between the rub
rails. I tapped into the gas line that goes to the furnace under the
stove. It does vent outside, and you have to cut an opening to fit
the HWT in. I have the hot water line from the electric tank going
into the propane HWT, but there is a bypass valve on the propane HWT.
When I have electricity I bypass the propane HWT. When I am going to
use propane I open the valve and the water from the electric HWT
(whick is cold because of no electricity) goes into the propane HWT
to be heated. I bought the cheaspest attwood I could, it has a pilot
light not a DSI. I figured that I only use the propane tank when I am
somewhere without power, so I can get out and light the pilot.

I have had this for three years and it works well.

Pete
"Prairie Dog"
35' FC 78

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Bill Garamella"
<bgaramella@...> wrote:
>
> Pete,
>
> Where did you locate the Attwood? Does it vent like the Surbubans?
>
> NH-Bill
> 1983 FC 35 SB
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "susanmarycamilleri"
> wrote:
> >
> > I agree with Scott WRT the propane water heater. I installed a
> > attwood 6 gal water heater in my 35' FC. I retained the electric
> > water heater, so I have the option of using either elec when
> > available, or propane when I am without hook-ups, and I do not
want
> > to run the generator. I bought mine at camping world for approx
$250
> > but you can get them cheaper on EBay. Ebay also has some
interesting
> > tankless systems.
> >
> > Pete
> > "Prairie Dog"
> > 78 35'FC
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman"
<sforman@>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > To me, this is most useful for hot water and engine heating
rather
> > > than coach heating. I really must say that I think not giving
the
> > > option of propane for water heat is the biggest error BB made
in
> > > these coaches.
> > >
> > > Scott
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
> > > <MHOHNSTEIN@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Here's what I did. Mounted the boiler in the front curb
side
> > > compartment, tapped the generator for the fuel supply. Using T-
> > > connectors I accessed the supply and return water lines wired
it up
> > > and flipped the switch. I replaced the auxillary circulation
pump
> > in
> > > the rear of the coach with a higher capacity unit. I doubt
this
> > > upgrade is cheaper to operate as compared to propane but it
adds an
> > > additional heat source and preheats the engine faster than the
> > > electric engine heater.
> > > > A word on fuel supply, it's always a good idea to isolate the
> > > supply to each fuel using component with a dedicated check
valve.
> > > Back flow and air in the lines are your enemy.
> > > > MH
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: Scott Forman
> > > > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > > > Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 8:38 AM
> > > > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Adding a boiler to an 86 PT
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I have been watching closely the thread that has been
> > discussing
> > > adding
> > > > boilers to the older coaches. I would love to have one in
my 86
> > > PT.
> > > > How do I go about doing this project? It seems to me that
all
> > one
> > > has
> > > > to do it tap in to the chassis heater system, correct? How
big
> > > and
> > > > expensive a project is this?
> > > >
> > > > Scott Forman
> > > > 86 PT38
> > > > Memphis
> > > >
> > >
> >
>