Hi everyone. I'm new to Foretravel and this forum, though I am learning! I brought home my in-laws Grand Villa (Stretch) to give it some much needed TLC. There are several things that I need to work on but the one that tops my list currently is the water system. After repairing a broken drain pipe and installing a new water pump the system is now working. I think I've figured out the majority if its function but could use some help on a couple things.
The valves that I have discovered are as follows, and some are labeled, which makes it nice:
2 between the driver and passenger seats up front...the one on the left is the fresh water tank fill and the right side is the drain valve.
There are 2 valves under the couch which are the hot and cold water line drain valves.
There is 1 valve under the sink, right behind the ice maker. Originally I thought that it might be the water supply for the ice maker but just found a tag (hard to see it unless you are standing on your head!) that says "close for max dash heat".
I've looked in and under everything (I think) and that seems to be everything dealing with filling, operating and draining the water system.
Since I think I have the basic operation down, here are my questions.
1. What is the valve under the sink, and what do I do with it? I opened the valve today and ran the engine for a bit and the hose got hot. I was thinking that maybe it is a heat exchanger hose that runs to the hot water heater but it doesn't appear to be that.
2. I'd love it if I could get some simple winterizing instructions. I've looked thru several posts regarding winterizing and they all seemed to have different valve setups. With the cold weather right around the corner I like to get these things figured out. Then I'll start picking off the other things that need to be done.
Any help would be appreciated!
Jeremy
Jeremy,
You need to tells us the model of your coach and the floor plan. There are may flavors of FT in that year with different answers to your questions.
This is an extremly helpful site that one of our members put together:
FORETRAVEL Motorhomes service and Repair Information (http://www.beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/foretravel-links.html)
I believe it is that. You have a 3 way water heater. The exhanger is referred to as "engine assist". The coolant circuit is shared with the dash so by closing the valve more heat will go to the dash.
Winterizing is one of those things were you will get different opinions and the subject has been covered on may prior topics. Seach the web and the forum on the subject. The hardest thing for a first timer is remember all the different places the water goes to (ice maker, water dispenser, clothers washer/dryer, waterheater, water drain traps, etc.). My practice is to blow out the system with 60 psi air, tilting the coach left and right while doing it, until no more water is coming out of any of the output sources. Then, using an empty water filter canister, I blow in potable water anti-freeze throught the system.
Hope this helps.
I am also new and learning. I did read in one of the manuals that when the engine is running, hot "engine" water is used to heat the hot water tank to some degree so that there will be hot water available without having to fire up the water heater immediately.
Under the couch in my bus there is what appears to be a water system anti-freeze reservoir. There are 2 switches on the facia in front of the sink for winterizing the water system. I assume that this is an automatic way of doing it but I have not tried it and am not sure how it works.
Something else that I am not sure about is how to use city water. I assume that the water tank filling valve is kept shut and that the pump is not required. I have a pressure regulator to fit in the city water line. Again, I haven't tried it yet. This RVing business is one, big learning-curve!
John, it appears that identifying this unit isn't as simple as one might think. I have a few binders of stuff, but nothing to help tell exactly what coach this is. I pulled the model from the plate next to the driver's seat...G90358240SB10RED300.
Am I to assume that the last 3 digits means it is a U300?
I have previously been to the website you suggested but it doesn't list any 1990 floor plans so I looked thru several other years to see if any of the layouts match...and one does! 1986 Foretravel Floorplans (http://beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/models/1986-foretravel-floorplans.html)
It is the last one here...Model 4000 GVF ORED SBID. Is this helpful or am I wasting your time??
So if this is a heat exchanger, then I assume that it is engine coolant running thru these lines and not another part that needs to be drained for winter.
I sure appreciate the advice!
Jeremy
It's not a unihome it's an Oshkosh 300 cat chassis grand villa
Your coach is not a u300, but is a oshkosh rear engine diesel 300 hp cat 3208
Jeremy,
Your model number "G90358240SB10RED300"
G= Grand Villa
90 = year
3582 = is your build number, it's the main tracking number the factory used, yours is the 3582nd coach built (I believe, please others correct me if I'm wrong)
40 = length
SBI = layout, Side Bath, Island bed
ORED = is the chassis type, O=Oshkosh, Rear Engine Diesel, so it's not a U300.
300 = (I think it's the engine code, Cat according to Bob)
Attached is the "secret Foretravel decoder ring" for your VIN number. I'm not sure it applies since the year starts with 1991.
Yes, that's engine coolant that runs through those the lines for the water heater heat exchanger. You might want to check the engine coolant to make sure the percentage is up to the task for where it's spending the winter.
Hope this helps. Ask again if it doesn't.
John, thanks for the deciphering. I'll put the super decoder ring next to my double knot spy boots!
I think I can get the system ready for winter now. The next think to figure out is the water pump. After I spend some more time with it I am sure I'll be asking some questions; until then.....
Jeremy
ps. I have an old friend in Meredian! I'm up near Bozeman.
You definitely need to properly winterize, or live in the coach, if you stay in Bozeman for the winter! It's a steep learning curve, but there is a lot of help on Foreforums. If you make it through the winter with no damage, you may be the expert. :)
Jeremy, that valve under the sink area is to control the amount of heat the engine sends to either the dash heating or to heat the water tank. Turn it one way and it will be cool at dash and vise versa. I used to leave mine 30% to heat water and the rest for dash warmth. I had a 93 GV ORED.
John h
Thanks guys, for the advice, and for the better understanding of that valve under the sink!
I'll certainly be watching the weather to be sure it's ready when the cold hits.