Retrofit a diesel-fired heating system?

[Stephen Birtles]

You may want to look at the dbw 2010 also smaller package more power
stephen 77fc35 with a webasto




In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Bill Garamella"
wrote:
>
> Pete,
>
> The Webasto Thermo 90 is relatively small. I estimate 18" l x 18" h
x 8" d. It weighs less
> than 40 lbs with its stainless-steel case. There is no internal
plumbing simply two
> radiator hose connections. This assumes the coach is already
equipped with the "coach
> heat" that was standard on FCs and PTs through the 80s anyway.
>
> The installation took two of us about one day. Next time around it
would be less.
>
> http://www.webasto.us/am/en/am_rv_heaters_821.html
>
> No doubt the funds spent on a unit purchased at retail price and
installed by a shop
> would be difficult to directly recapture in a resale. However, it
sure won't hurt as a selling
> feature when the time comes. An informed buyer may recognize the
value of having it.
>
> NH Bill
> 1983 FC "Casa Billisa
>
>
> -- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson wrote:
> >
> > There's nothing to stop you from doing it -- given that you have the
> > time and money to engage in the effort. In my '95, the AquaHot is
> > placed filling part of two bays on the street side. (These are
> > shallow bays as the fuel tank is in the center.) You'd need to find
> > about 24" x 48" (this is an estimate, I didn't measure) of free
space
> > in your basement to hold the system.
> >
> > The big effort would be to thread the tubing for the interior heat
> > radiators and to wire in the thermostats. This task would certainly
> > be much easier when the RV was in a state of partial construction
(or
> > otherwise gutted inside) and is likely to be very labor intensive as
> > a retrofit. If you were doing serious redecorating (new floor, for
> > example) and were to remove all the furnishings, it might be easier
> > to manage the retrofit at the same time.
> >
> > I also note that an Aquahot unit is several thousands of dollars
> > (although, used units might be available from a salvage yard).
> >
> > Frankly, I'd think you'd be better off to 'trade up' your 'bird for
> > one that already has a hydronic heating system (either Webasto or
> > AquaHot). I note that the retrofit (after the time and expense)
> > probably won't add any value to your coach on resale.
> >
> > Pete Masterson
> > '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> > aeonix1@
> > On the road at Newberry Springs, CA
> >
> >
> >
> > On Dec 6, 2008, at 8:30 AM, Scott Forman wrote:
> >
> > > Has anyone ever retrofitted one of the diesel-fired heating
systems to
> > > a mid-80's PT? This one one of only a few features of the newer
> > > coaches that I really wish I had. It seems to my feeble mind
that one
> > > should be able to install the unit in a bay and tap in to the
loop for
> > > the original hot water heaters coming off the engine, but I am no
> > > engineer. Any advice on this?
> > >
> > > Scott Forman
> > > 86 PT38
> > > Memphis
> > >
> >
>