Retrofit a diesel-fired heating system?

[Bill Garamella]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Chuck Wheeler" wrote:

Chuck,

Its mounted in the rear basement compartment on the driver's side at the back
end of
the compartment. Its just in front of the aux pump on our FC. Tapping the
coolant loop
just in front of the aux pump was pretty easy. There is plenty of room between
the
bumper and the compartment.

Yes it does heat the block very nicely within an hour or so.

I located the heater in the rear for two reasons. My priority with this was to
heat hot
water and the coach first the engine block 2nd. If I need to heat the block
fast, I can
always run the electric block heater too.

1, Because its in back, it is close to the domestic water tank and it reaches
there first. In
the winter position, it then circulates through the coach exchangers and then to
the
block and back.

2,The front compartment on the passenger side is close to the batteries and this
is where
I installed the ProSine inverter/changer. Eventually, I want to put additional
batteries at
the mid compartment on the drivers side where the Iota DLS chargers remain as
back-
ups. The wiring is in place and If I install AGM in there it should be pretty
simple and I
don't have to be too concerned with venting them. If you want more info or
photos, you
can e-mail me at bgaramella@...

NH Bill 83 FC "Casa Billisa"



>
> 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
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>