Retrofit a diesel-fired heating system?

[Stephen Birtles]

Block and chassis sits in corner of the passenger side front bin
Stephen 77fc35

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Chuck Wheeler"
wrote:
>
> I would be interested to know more about your installation. More
than half
> of our outings are dry camping all year around. Where did you mount
it and
> where did you "tap" into the chassis heat. Does it warm your block
also?
>
> - Chuck Wheeler-
> 1982 FC 31SB Fort Worth TX
>
>
> _____
>
> From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bill Garamella
> Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2008 9:04 PM
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Retrofit a diesel-fired heating system?
>
>
>
> 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.
<http://www.webasto.us/am/en/am_rv_heaters_821.html>
> 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
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>