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Topic: starting after cold winter (Read 626 times) previous topic - next topic

starting after cold winter

Here in Boise ID...we had a rough winter. Bought my 01 U320 in Sept and never got to use her. Put in storage after winterizing and now it's in the 50's. I want to go drive it this weekend but had some questions from a REAL newbie.

If I start the Generator does it activate a block heater?? I do not have operable Aqua Hot but bought all the parts for a service. The coach is not plugged in and I have no shore power. I do have a nice Honda gennie that I could run to block heat...Please advise.

I'm not sure I remember where the switch is to activate all the batteries for a start. I replaced all batt's in Sept....

Thanks for your help

2001 U320 42 tag with two slides
Build number 1583
Love this forum for all of it's help and members

Re: starting after cold winter

Reply #1 –
I guess the first question is have your batteries survived without any charge since September??  If not, starting even the generator is rather academic.
I live further North than you and we have also had a rough winter, but, I do have the coach plugged in with a Battery minder on the engine batteries.  We had a warm few days last week and I started both my generator and the main engine without use of the block heater.
Maybe not answering your question but the batteries are the answer to all of your questions and the block heater is secondary.
The block heater works after being on a long time, such as overnight, for best results.
Speedbird 1
2001 U320 Build #5865
Daihatsu Rocky Toad
VW Touareg
'82 F100 Stepside
Beech' Debonair

Re: starting after cold winter

Reply #2 –
As speedbird1 said you need good batteries and it will start. If it is above freezing it should start up right away. My 8.3 Cummings
will start at 14 F without the block heater but it's slow starting. I hope you kept the batteries charged up over the winter as if they get discharged and it gets cold enough they will freeze and if it then you need new batteries. 
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: starting after cold winter

Reply #3 –
As the others have said the batteries  are the key. Check their voltage. If they are below

10-12 volts I would run an extension cord and put a battery charger on them. Slow

charge at first. Then when they show 12v. I would try to start the engine. Some of the

Honda generators have 12v. connections that you can hook to your batteries to bring

up to capacity, also.

Best of luck,

Carter-

Re: starting after cold winter

Reply #4 –
Mike, if your aqua hot is working then run it on diesel if you can and turn on the engine preheat switch.  Run it overnight or for a day and your engine will be at about 50-60°.  Much easier to start.  It will probably work on the electric side of the AH but it will take longer.

Get a good, smart charger and get the start batteries at max.  They should be at 13.2-13.6 volts right after you disconnect the charger.  They will drop to 12.7-12.8 after a bit of load.  This is fully charged.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: starting after cold winter

Reply #5 –
Started and ran generator during winter..20-30 minutes at a time...it's been probably 2 months since I did that..So should I go start gen and let it run extended time to help with start and batt charge??
2001 U320 42 tag with two slides
Build number 1583
Love this forum for all of it's help and members

Re: starting after cold winter

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Mike Minegar –
Started and ran generator during winter..20-30 minutes at a time...it's been probably 2 months since I did that..So should I go start gen and let it run extended time to help with start and batt charge??


I would, and turn on Cummins engine block heater at same time (should be on end of bed platform).  Your battery boost switch to combine chassis and house should be on dash in front of your right knee.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: starting after cold winter

Reply #7 –
Quote from: AC7880 –

I would, and turn on Cummins engine black heater at same time (should be on end of bed platform).  Your battery boost switch to combine chassis and house should be on dash in front of your right knee.

Yup, same with our CAT, I have started her in the 20 degree range without the block heater, a puff of white smoke, big deal.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: starting after cold winter

Reply #8 –
Thanks for all your help...I got it fired at 9:30 last night. It took all day Saturday messing with chargers and the Honda Generator. I hope I did not take too much life out of my brand new AGM8D's..I guess time will tell. What a relief it is to have this place to come to. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. I keep telling my wife that we may have bought above our knowledge grade...but I feel like I have a friend at the factory...

John Fitzgerald I appreciate your reach out to me...I will be calling.
2001 U320 42 tag with two slides
Build number 1583
Love this forum for all of it's help and members

Re: starting after cold winter

Reply #9 –
If you use the block heater, put a note by the starter key to switch it off before cranking the engine. If there are any bubbles in the cooling system that go past the block heater electrode, it will overheat and fry the block heater. This is mfg instruction. Occasionally check the receptacle the block heater is plugged into. Ours had been overheated and had damaged the outlets. Don't replace the outlets with 15 amp.

After we bought the coach, I found the isolator was grossly miswired and ran all batteries down. Jumpers and fifteen minutes with the toad on fast idle cured the flat batteries.

Pierce

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

Re: starting after cold winter

Reply #10 –
" I keep telling my wife that we may have bought above our knowledge grade..."
With each project, repair or maintenance task you complete your knowledge and confidence will grow.  Almost no one here knows everything about every system on Foretravels...but someone has probably done it, saw it or heard about it.  That, coupled with some basic tools and sweat will usually get the job done.  I wish you safe and "uneventful" travels. 
Mike and Mari
'98  36 270 WTFE
Build #5272
Club #17504