"Engine Preheat" vs. "Engine Heater"

[Bob & Carol Howald`]

Pete, The Engine pre-heat switch on the overhead panel is a
function of the primus system. If you still have the primus system
you would turn the engine pre-heat switch on when along with the #1
boiler and this would close a valve in the engine compartment that
allow's the hot water from the boiler to preheat the engine. (very
effective),Also at least on the 93 they have a manual valve located
in the engine compartment that can be turned if the electric one
failed. The older model's had only the manual valve, I believe the
electric overhead pre-heat was first added in the 93 model. The
switch in the galley area with the red light is the 115volt block
heater that's installed in the engine. On my coach in 20 degree
weather I usually get a good clean start with this switch on for
about 2 or 3 hours. I can hear it immediately when turning it on and
after a couple of hours can feel the block getting warm. I can also
use the primus and elec. together which really speeds heating. Hope
this helps.....Bob Illinois pt40 it's 80 degrees here today!!!!
>
> As I watch the snow accumulate outside the window, I realize that
I
> have two switches that would seem to refer to the same function:
>
> On the panel on the left above the driver's head, I have
an "engine
> preheat" switch with a green light that comes on when the switch
is
> activated. I also have a red, home-style switch on a panel just
below
> the galley sink, next to the Konstant Hot switch that
reads "engine
> heater" and the switch glows red when it's turned on.
>
> Do these switches turn on the same thing? The owner's manual
mentions
> (without much detail, of course) that the AquaHot system will heat
> the engine for cold starting.
>
> Therefore, do I turn on both switches or will only one do the job?
> Does anyone have a feel for how much time it takes to warm the
engine
> in freezing temperatures... last spring when we spent a week in
the
> Denver area with temperature lows frequently dropping into the
> mid-20s, I turned on the "engine heater" switch about 10-12 hours
> before departure. After many tries and much stumbling the Series
60
> finally but reluctantly came to life.
>
> I'm thinking I'll turn on the switch(es) about 24 hours before my
> planned departure this time... or should I turn it on sooner?
>
> TIA
>
> Pete Masterson
> aeonix1@...
> 1995 Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> On the road at Idaho Springs, CO
>