Retrofit a diesel-fired heating system?

[Bill Garamella]

Yes, the 2010 has more power... 45K BTU. However, from what I understand, this
is not
variable. Its fuel consumption is constant at about 1.5 liter/hour.

Because we plan to do a fair amount of boondocking, I chose to go with the
Thermo 90.
Its variable output makes it highly efficient with fuel and power consumption.
It is
significantly smaller also.

Here are the specs for the Thremo 90

Variable Heat Rating: Boost 31,000 Btu/h (9.1 kW)
Variable 6,100 - 26,000 Btu/h (1.8 - 7.6 kW)

Fuel Type: Diesel #1, #2, Arctic
Fuel Consumption: Boost 0.29 gal/h (1.1 l/h)
Variable 0.06 - 0.24 (0.24 - 0.91 l/h)
Rated Voltage: 12 Volts

Power Consumption @ 12 Volts: Boost 7.5 Amps @ 12V (90 W)
Variable 3.0 - 6.9 Amps @ 12V (37 - 83 W)
Water Flow: U4846 - 7 gal/min
Dimensions: 15-1/8" L x 5-1/4" W x 8-21/32" H
15-3/4" L x 7-1/2" W x 14" H - w/optional enclosure box
Weight: 10.6 lbs. (4.8 kg)
35 lbs. (16 kg) w/optional enclosure box

Here are the specs for the 2010

Webasto DBW 2010 Heater Specifications:
Heat Rating: 45,000 Btu/h (13.1 kW)
Power Consumption @ 12 Volts: 7.1 Amps @12V (85W) w/ coolant pump
Fuel Type: Diesel #1, #2, Arctic Water Flow: U4846 - 7 gal/min
Maximum Fuel Consumption: 0.4 gal/h (1.5 l/h) Dimensions:

23" L x 8-1/16" W x 10" H
24" L x 9-3/4" W x 11-5/8" H w/ Enclosure Box

Rated Voltage: 12 Volts Weight: 33 lbs. (15 kg)
65 lbs. (29.5 kg) w/ Enclosure Box

The 2010 is a beefier unit and will probably outlive the T- 90, but there are
trade offs.
Like everything else, It depends on what your needs are.

Thanks - NH Bill 1983 FC "Casa Billisa"



> 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
> > > >
> > >
> >
>