"Engine Preheat" vs. "Engine Heater"

[Pete Masterson]

Based on responses I've received from this (and the other) online
discussion list:

On my '95, the hydronic heat (In my case, an AquaHot -- but it uses
the same Webasto burner) is hooked up with the engine. On the road,
it captures engine heat to warm the heating water in the system that
heats the coach interior. When parked, the "Engine Pre-Heat" switch
(on my upper dash to the left above the driver's head) will start a
pump that heats the engine water with the Webasto burner. This is
_not_ the same switch as the red "engine heater" switch by the
Konstant Hot. That switch turns on a block heater that runs on 120
vac. (And in my previous experience, it doesn't do a lot, but it does
help.)

On some earlier 'birds, the overhead panels are different, so the
"Engine Pre-Heat" switch may not be located in the same place -- and
may have a different name.

You can tell if the "Engine Pre-Heat" switch is working, as it will
turn on the Webasto burner when it is on. Turn off the other hydronic
heat thermostats for testing, so you can tell if you have a similar
switch.

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
1995 Wanderlodge WBDA 42
On the road at Idaho Springs, CO


On Oct 22, 2007, at 12:37 PM, Jack and Liz Pearce wrote:

>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
> wrote:
>>
>> As I watch the snow accumulate outside the window, I realize that I
>> have two switches that would seem to refer to the same function:
>>
>> On the panel on the left above the driver's head, I have an "engine
>> preheat" switch with a green light that comes on when the switch is
>> activated. I also have a red, home-style switch on a panel just below
>> the galley sink, next to the Konstant Hot switch that reads "engine
>> heater" and the switch glows red when it's turned on.
>>
>> Do these switches turn on the same thing?
> ...................................
>
> Howdy, Pete.
>
> Sure glad you started this thread. We are in Buena Vista, CO and we
> have
> snow and 20 degree temps. We have the Webasto (conversionof Primus)
> hydronic heating system. We also have that electric engine heater
> switch on a panel just below the galley sink, next to the Konstant
> Hot
> switch that reads "engine heater" and the switch glows red when it's
> turned on. We were wondering if running the hydronic heat will also
> heat the engine??
>
> TIA,
> Jack and Liz Pearce
>
> Fulltiming in a 1993 Wanderlodge