Retrofit a diesel-fired heating system?

[Scott Forman]

What year did Birds start having these?


--- 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
> >
>