Trailer Life Magazine Open Roads Forum: Class A Motorhomes: Anemic Dash Heat


	Already a member? Login here. If not, Register Today! \| Help

Newest | Active | Popular | RVing FAQ

Forum Rules | Forum Help and Support | Contact

Open Roads Forum > Class A Motorhomes

Reply to Topic | Subscribe | Print Topic | Post New Topic |

Class A Motorhomes Related Tips

Gau 8

United States

New Member

Joined: 11/06/2009

View Profile

Online

Posted: 11/07/09 10:44am

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

This past winter I went on a trip where the OAT was about 20 degrees. I found that the dash heat was not up to the task. The air was just not warm enough.

I used a 1500 W ceramic heater near my seat.. It was as much as I could run without starting the gen.

I realize I can run the furnace while traveling but am exploring options. The root of the problem is that the water line runs from the back of a 40 ft coach and loses heat in the trip. It is not practical to insulate it.

What about an inline electric heater for the water line. Does anyone make such an animal?

Maybe like the ones on Spas. I realize that I would probably have to run the genny to power it.

Eddie

2007 Freightliner XC chassis
MBE 926

hilcodil

Dillon, Co

Senior Member

Joined: 03/08/2004

View Profile

Offline

Posted: 11/07/09 10:54am

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

Might be better to put in an inline 12 volt water pump to boost the volume through the heater.

Tom Hill 2003 Safari Cheetah DP

f.wernlein

Northern Virginia

Full Member

Joined: 12/13/2007

View Profile

Offline

Posted: 11/07/09 11:18am

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

Just two thoughts...

Have you considered that your temp control adjustment valve at the heat exchanger in dash may not be fully opening OR that your water line to the heat exchanger could be kinked or otherwise not getting full flow?

Frank W.
1985 BlueBird Wanderlodge

Pauljdav

Everett, Wa

Senior Member

Joined: 12/01/2008

View Profile

Offline

Posted: 11/07/09 12:19pm

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

Or the heater core is clogged and not letting enough water flow through it.

robatthelake

Vancouver Island

Senior Member

Joined: 08/24/2003

View Profile

Offline

Posted: 11/07/09 01:20pm

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

This is a long shot , but if You have an Evans AC/Heater with an Electronic Water Valve , it may not be fully opening.
The Heater on Our's is pretty feeble as well so I by passed the Valve to test the flow through the Heater core. I suppose that there is a good reason that these things have a restrictive device in them. On Full flow that Heater cranks out more Heat than I could stand ! So I am going to replace the valve with an in line Mechanical Valve that I can adjust manually to Summer and Winter Settings! There should be a way to make it work as usually We either have Heat or Cold turned Full in either direction anyway!

Rob & Jean
Dutch Star Diesel Pusher ..Tracker 4X2

Gau 8

United States

New Member

Joined: 11/06/2009

View Profile

Online

Posted: 11/07/09 06:36pm

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

Thanks for the replies.

The inline pump is an idea. It does have an inline electric valve. There does not appear to be any kinks. The heater core is less than 2 years old and is not plugged.

I had the lines loose flushing them and got good flow. Don't know if there is a restrictor in the line.

smkettner

Southern California

Senior Member

Joined: 03/21/2005

View Profile

Good Sam RV Club

Posted: 11/07/09 07:13pm

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

Check if your thermostat is stuck half open. I have seen it more than once.

2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS

Gau 8

United States

New Member

Joined: 11/06/2009

View Profile

Online

Posted: 11/07/09 07:46pm

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

smkettner wrote:

Check if your thermostat is stuck half open. I have seen it more than once.

If that were the case, the engine temp would be below normal. It is not.

fcooper

Richmond Hill, Georgia

Senior Member

Joined: 09/23/2003

View Profile

Online

Posted: 11/07/09 08:02pm

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

If you have the motor aid hot water feature where engine coolant heats the hot water heater while you're driving down the road, then look for a valve that can turn off the motor aid hot water. This will provide more heat to the dash heater.

Fred & Vicki
Richmond Hill, Ga
2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor/330 Cat
2000 Honda Odyssey toad w SMI Silent Partner braking system
Tire Sentry monitoring system

wny_pat

Western NYS

Senior Member

Joined: 08/11/2007

View Profile

Offline

Posted: 11/07/09 09:13pm

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

Typical of anything flat in the front from my experience. You don't say if gas or diesel. Diesels can be worse. Very cold blooded during cold weather. I run the generator and a ceramic heater along with coach heat. If just the two of you, run something behind the front seats. Shower curtains or bath towels on a rod to keep the warm air up in the cab area.

Reply to Topic | Subscribe | Print Topic | Post New Topic |

Open Roads Forum > Class A Motorhomes

	New posts		No new posts
	Closed, new posts		Closed, no new posts
	Moved, new posts		Moved, no new posts

Adjust text size: