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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: ViewRVs on December 15, 2018, 11:10:10 am

Title: Basement heat on U320?
Post by: ViewRVs on December 15, 2018, 11:10:10 am
I have a question on the basement heating. I have the Aqua-Hot so the forward compartment stays rather toasty on its own. There is a heat exchanger with a temp switch on the curb side by the pump, tank, and drain valves. That is the only heat exchanger that I have found.

1) Is this always on based on the temp setting switch or do I need to have the furnace turned on also? It seems very schizophrenic. 
2) I also have vents in the rear bedroom below the make-up mirror. Is the intent that warm air from the bedroom makes it's way down to the plumbing?

My coach is a 1996 U320 40'.
Title: Re: Basement heat on U320?
Post by: Rudy on December 15, 2018, 11:15:56 am
Fred,

A good analogy is your car.  The dash temp setting controls the temp in the cabin.  BUT, if the engine is cold, NO warm air.

So in freezing conditions, set basement thermostat to 40 degrees or higher AND turn on the Diesel Burner switch and the Electric Element switch if plugged into shore power.

Hope this helps you.
Title: Re: Basement heat on U320?
Post by: ViewRVs on December 15, 2018, 11:25:07 am
Rudy,

Thanks.  I do have the electric switch on and occasionally the diesel switch depending on the outside temperature. It has been going above and below freezing where we are now. The electric tries to keep up but tends to fall behind as the temps drop below 40 degrees outside. The hose to the exchanger is warm so it appears the fluid is passing through. I'll have to check the exchanger thermostat in the bay on a cold night.
Title: Re: Basement heat on U320?
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on December 15, 2018, 11:59:30 am
Fred,
I'm only a few miles from you and in this weather I run the diesel and AC Aquahot as Rudy said, along with a 200 watt electric heater in each of the wet bays.  Works great until we're able to go to Florida around New Years.
Title: Re: Basement heat on U320?
Post by: George and Steph on December 15, 2018, 01:25:39 pm
The Lasko above works well with thermal plugs. 
Title: Re: Basement heat on U320?
Post by: Rudy on December 15, 2018, 02:27:23 pm
The diesel burner works down to below zero.  Electric only heats down to 45 or 50 degrees for you (68 or 70 degrees inside).
Title: Re: Basement heat on U320?
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on December 15, 2018, 04:30:34 pm
The Lasko above works well with thermal plugs. 

Yes.

Amazon.com : HEATIT ET-21 Freeze Thermostatically Controlled Outlet On at... (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074HVYDV1/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B074HVYDV1&pd_rd_w=1EZvg&pf_rd_p=f0dedbe2-13c8-4136-a746-4398ed93cf0f&pd_rd_wg=34W5S&pf_rd_r=V5C4WX3XQVPJF741J7F4&pd_rd_r=3baae390-00b0-11e9-a213-afd08bde3d9e)
Title: Re: Basement heat on U320?
Post by: John Morales on December 16, 2018, 07:02:28 pm
There is a heat exchanger with a temp switch on the curb side by the pump, tank, and drain valves. That is the only heat exchanger that I have found.

My coach is a 1996 U320 40'.

Fred,
I have a 1999 320 and I have a heat exchanger in the water pump manifold area and behind the wall in the wet bay keeping the tanks warm. I'm assuming they use the same thermostat.
John M