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Topic: Super cold weather here in Alberta Canada (Read 575 times) previous topic - next topic

Super cold weather here in Alberta Canada

So it is -24 C ( -11F) here in Alberta Canada this morning
The wind chill they say is down to -33 (-27F)
I have my coach in storage  under cover outside beside my house.
Here's hoping I did everything correctly for winterization

-Coach on blocks to alleviate pressure on air bags
-covered with a great cover ensuring adequately air flow
-plugged into 15 amp outlet ( no problems or tripped breakers!)
- fuel stabilizer and bio additive in fuel tanks
-inverter on to keep coach batteries charged
-separate trickle charger on start batteries to keep them charged
- LOTS. Of mouse deterents put in coach
- tires over inflated
-water system including washers and Aqua hot winterized with pink
-4 Lasko personal heaters running ( 2 in the manibloc/water pump compartment and 2 in the hose/ power sewage bay). On all the time. Temps in each are well above freezing as monitored by thermostats. No heat in coach- thermostat in the interior basically reads the same as the outside temp.
-I try to run ah and gen once per month, although I am pretty sure the gen will not start in these temps(to bad it did not have a block heater)
I do not go into the coach in the winter  as per say except to check the inverter to make sure it is charging ( on float charge most of the time)
- wheels chocked all around

Am I missing anything here?  Opinions welcome!!!!
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Super cold weather here in Alberta Canada

Reply #1 –
warm weather!!!
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Super cold weather here in Alberta Canada

Reply #2 –
My O-pinion, considering I've never had to cope with similar conditions, is that you have done the best you can with what you have to work with.  Of course, you could always look for ways to improve your setup down the road.  I would say installing a 50 amp shore power pedestal would be first priority (would allow more options for heating the interior, if desired).  After that - a enclosed coach barn (at the top of MY list for years).  GOOD LUCK!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Super cold weather here in Alberta Canada

Reply #3 –
Drain P traps filled with pink also? Yikes I don't miss that. Great memories. Stay warm.
Scott

Re: Super cold weather here in Alberta Canada

Reply #4 –
Quote from: dicksop –
although I am pretty sure the gen will not start in these temps(to bad it did not have a block heater)

So I'll probably never experience those conditions with our coach, but I wonder what the cold soak temperature limit for starting the generator is? Coldest start I've ever made is 31 degrees F
Scott

Re: Super cold weather here in Alberta Canada

Reply #5 –
Quote from: dsd –
So I'll probably never experience those conditions with our coach, but I wonder what the cold soak temperature limit for starting the generator is? Coldest start I've ever made is 31 degrees F
Scott

Scott, our generator will start at around zero.  Seemed to be fine and warms fairly quickly!  As you know, we have been in some really cold nights and days in Yellowstone.  Aqua Hot ran for 7 months, non stop!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Super cold weather here in Alberta Canada

Reply #6 –
7) PT-ECU-63 deactivates the Low Oil Pressure and High Water Temperature Switches for 6
seconds, this will assure oil pressure build-up time. If oil pressure does not build-up the engine will
immediately shut down and go into a fault mode. Likewise for a high temperature situation.
8 If engine will not start on the first attempt the PT-ECU-63 will initiate the start cycle 2 more times
before going into a fault mode. Glow Plugs will preheat for 8 seconds per attempt. Engine will
crank for 8 seconds per attempt
Copied from the powertech 10k manual. Ive heard that cycling glow plugs several time before allowing the start to continue will help in cold weather. Ive never needed to try I will check my glow plug resistance on next generator service.
Scott

Re: Super cold weather here in Alberta Canada

Reply #7 –
Peter, you are doing fine.  Yes, don't forget the traps, a couple of cups in each is good. 

We have started the coach and departed for warm from MN at -30°F, the AH was on overnight before with the engine preheat loop on and the coach heat on. Tough hooking up the Jeep but we managed.  We drove slowly for several miles just to get things moving and then drove until almost dark and stayed over night at a Walmart. By then it had warmed up to -18°.  The next day we got to Huntsville, AL where it was just above freezing. Whew! 

We left MN last week and it was 4°. Light snow the day before we left and 2 days later they had 16". Glad to be gone. For some good reason we seem to be leaving earlier each year.

Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Super cold weather here in Alberta Canada

Reply #8 –
I've started my generator at -4 F and I cycle the glow plugs once. I press the start/stop
button and count 9 seconds the push the button again and right away again and then
it starts right away. I don't see that it wouldn't start a lot colder. If it was -20 I would
cycle the glow plugs 2 times. I have started equipment as cold as -30
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Super cold weather here in Alberta Canada

Reply #9 –
I guess I forgot to mention the traps for the shower, bathroom sink and kitchen sink have pink poured directly into them

And yes...a 50 amp hookup is on the books for when it warms up!!

Kinda makes me long for Arizona..lol
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Super cold weather here in Alberta Canada

Reply #10 –
Quote from: dsd –
So I'll probably never experience those conditions with our coach, but I wonder what the cold soak temperature limit for starting the generator is? Coldest start I've ever made is 31 degrees F
Scott
I had to give the generator a shot of ether at 17 degrees, 8000 feet in Yellowstone. Elevation makes a huge difference of how it starts. We live at 2000 feet so it starts almost instantly at any temperature here.

Warmer weather at lower elevation at Mammoth Campground plus open all year.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)
 

Re: Super cold weather here in Alberta Canada

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Elevation make a huge difference of how it starts. We live at 2000 feet so it starts almost instantly at any temperature here.
Have noticed that with my engine as well. We're at 6k and I usually end up using the boost switch. At 2k it's almost instant every time.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.