Winter approaches

[Pete Masterson]

On Aug 15, 2007, at 10:10 AM, Ryan Wright wrote:

> <snip>
> 1. Where can I buy new electric heaters? At least a couple of mine do
> not work properly.

If you're referring to the under-cabinet heaters, my coach seems to
have the Perfectoe® under cabinet heaters. See info at this url:
<http://www.cadetco.com/show_product.php?prodid=1005>
Search the Internet for a good price.

> 2. What might freeze or break, and how do I prevent it?

Your coach is 9 years older than mine ... so I'm not sure. If you
have a basement heater, be sure to turn it on. Get a thermometer that
registers the high and low so you can check the extremes (and adjust
the basement thermostat accordingly). I encountered some freezing
temperatures in Denver this spring and had no difficulties beyond
starting the engine when we decided to get the heck out of there....

> 3. Are my holding tanks heated, and how?

Well, there in the basement -- that helps. Dump valves _can_ freeze
up, though.

> 4. The interior will be kept warm 24/7 so fresh water and plumbing
> should be OK - or will it?

It appears to be in my coach. I note that the '95 is pretty well
insulated. While re-flooring my coach, I opened the wire chases and I
was surprised to discover that some water pipes near the kitchen are
wrapped with some-sort of electric stuff. Don't know what turns it on
or how.

> 5. There are thermostats with funky electric heaters under the beds
> and some of the plumbing appears to be wrapped in that heat tape stuff
> - any advice on dealing with this?

Make sure it isn't deteriorated. Another 'bird owner had a (literal)
melt down.

> 6. How do I dump my holding tanks when it's freezing outside? Same as
> usual? I'd planned on macerating into a sewer line but will the pump
> be OK?

I didn't have trouble in Denver's freezing temps -- but it was
spring, not the heart of winter. I'd put the macerator pump into a
warmer place in the basement. Have a hair dryer handy. Worst case,
head south.

> 7. How do I check my engine & battery heaters, & how do I get the 8V92
> and the Yanmar genset started in the dead of winter?

The Series 60 was a bear to get started -- and I had the block heater
on for 24 hours. It eventually started ... then stumbled on for quite
some time. I was glad I'd been on shore power as I could use the
bypass switch to join the house and engine batteries (and all were
fully charged).

The generator, however, wasn't all that bad. The glow plugs help the
starting and by holding them on for an extra 10 seconds or so (about
40 seconds instead of about 30), then it kicked right over.

> 8. Any other winter advice from the full timers?

Head south -- as far south as you can go ... or to coastal California/
Oregon.

> 9. Winter driving advice? I won't be doing much and will try to avoid
> snow, but may hit some visiting relatives in December. Will the PT-40
> generally walk over it, or will I be prone to sliding off the road
> like I would in a pickup? I've never driven anything this heavy in the
> snow.

Well, one FC is being 'parted out' because it flipped onto its side
while entering a freeway on-ramp. Take it _really_ easy. I haven't
had much experience driving my bird in the snow. I don't want the
experience...

>
> Winter temps here aren't severe. Typical nights are in the 30's, but
> we do see a couple of weeks of 10-20 degree nights and, every few
> years, we get some 0 degree stuff. I've lived here over 25 years and
> can only recall one time temps dipped much below 0.

It's a little warmer here, but we do get bouts of "hard freezes" some
winters ... but my spring stay in Denver dropped into the 20s or
teens most nights but was up to as high as 40 during the day. I also
spent 10 days near Ft. Bragg CA during a January freeze (nights in
the 20s and low 30s, days in the 40s). Had no issues with the coach
due to the weather.

There are differences due to the relative ages of our coaches ... but
I'm guessing there's a lot of similarities as well. Mostly use common
sense, insulate what you can, and keep the heat on.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
El Sobrante CA
aeonix1@...



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