Retrofit a diesel-fired heating system?

[Pete Masterson]

I didn't realize that the 80's era 'birds had the "coach heat"
plumbing in place -- clearly, that would simplify the installation. I
(incorrectly) made the assumption that an installation would be from
scratch -- and seeing how the AquaHot on my coach was installed --
and I sure wouldn't want to do a retrofit if there weren't already
plumbing to accommodate the interior heaters.

It's good to know that the Webasto Thermo 90 is so compact. It's
about half the size of the AquaHot in my coach.

I agree, as a DIY project, it may be cost effective (a quick look
online shows pricing of a "kit" for about $5K with the unit itself at
about $3K) -- certainly, paying someone else for installation would
be quite expensive, I'm sure.

As a selling feature -- yes the upgrade certainly would add to the
desirability -- but, like most upgrades to our 'birds, it wouldn't
add so much value that you're recover more than a small percent of
the cost.

(Note: I've re-done my coach with a bamboo-wood floor -- and after a 4
+ month 'voyage' I've been very pleased with its performance and
cleanability (vs. the previous carpet). I'm sure that the (new) floor
would be attractive to a potential buyer -- but I don't expect to see
a dime of the upgrade cost when it comes time to sell my coach.)

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Newberry Springs, CA



On Dec 6, 2008, at 3:24 PM, 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
>>>
>>
>
>
>
>
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