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Topic: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions! (Read 698 times) previous topic - next topic

I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

My plans are to take up full time residency in an RV park here in Alberta Canada this winter.
The winters here routinely get down to a steady -14f or below.
My site at the park will have 50,30 and 15 amp plugins at each site with full breaker control
The outside water tap is heated and there is sewer at each site

So my intentions are to park and auto level the coach, then measure the spaces at each wheel front and rear and get 2x2 steel pipes cut to measure. Install them and dump the air all the way and leave it alone. My coach leaks down quite a bit so within a week the air at the brake gauges are at about 30 and eventually will leak down to zero. By installing the safety stands, my thoughts are I would not have to touch the air system all winter until spring. (Do I still have to put air line antifreeze in the lines?)
I will have No Freeze water and sewer lines which will be plugged into the 15 amp site plug,leaving the 50 amp for the coach inside etc and the 30 amp outlet will probably have a splitter to it to allow for additional 2-15 amp availability

I will be using the Aqua hot all winter for heat and water so I will make sure the unit is serviced and the fuel tanks have anti gel and conditioner in them at all times. I suspect running the AH all the time I will burn about 1/2 a tank (90 to 100 gallons ) a month.  The site offers Mobil diesel fills
I will have a charger on the start batteries all winter( again plugged into a 15 amp site plug) and small ceramic heaters installed "inside" by the manifold and sewer lines to supplement the bay heater which will be set at 45f to keep all below warm. Not so worried about the AH compartment as it seems the AH keeps that bay  heated to a good temp.
I am installing some insulation on the inside of the bay doors (thanks Old Guy) for additional coverage.
In each bay I will have remote thermostats to monitor the bays.
Tires slightly over filled
Inside front window some added "silver" insulation.
A dehumidifier inside the coach as well as a couple more small heaters
Will be sweeping roof off on a regular basis
Going to leave the big engine alone until spring  ( not start)
Will start generator once a month to exercise it
Am I missing anything here?????
Thoughts on how the coach will "stand" the winter??
Peter
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #1 –
Sounds good so far,what about c,mon down to Arizona with some of us.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #2 –
The Aqua Hot burner will consume about 3 gallons of diesel per 24 hour day.  So a plan to refuel may be needed.

If you have the 194 gallon fuel tank, about 140 or so gallons are usable.  Just over a months fuel in the time of fridige temps.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #3 –
John44
My ultimate dream would be something like that, but for now workworkworkwork...sigh
Peter
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #4 –
Thanks Rudy
That is what I have calculated for fuel consumption as well. The park is kind enough to allow fuel truck mobile service so I suspect about once or month $$$ for fuel
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #5 –
If the electric bill is included in the park rate I would get some electric heaters,save that fuel.Would also get something between the ground and perimeter of the coach to keep under the coach warmer.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #6 –
Agreed about under the coach.  Anyone had experience with a product called air skirts?

Unfortunately power is NOT included in long term stays at the park so I will have to manage that as well
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #7 –
Peter, I insulated the doors on the wet bay on my 270. Where I live is a warm climate but the day I did it , it was mainly to clean things up a bit. However last Jan returning from Quartzite it did get cold one night in ElPaso. Got down to 7 degrees and my wet bay stayed at 60 deg getting its heat from the duct from my propane furnace. I did work in North Dakota and Northern Minnesota for 5 years in a class 8 diesel rig and was able to keep my equipment in service. Seems as though you have a solid plan and should be ok. When the work is done keep Arizona in your mind, we have quiet a time there in January. Old Guy knows cold climates and I think any suggestion he may offer would do to listen to.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #8 –
If the park is level why not just dump the air. A couple of layers or more of insulation against
the windshield won't hurt.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #9 –
Check the insulation around the entry step box, it's probably shot by now if it hasn't been replaced and that's a huge source of cold air . Also make sure you have a couple spare AH nozzles and a way to jump the AH thermostats if one goes out. I also suggest keeping a couple of eyebolts handy for the burner... it turns out those are easy to break and unobtainium except from AH.

If something goes wrong with your AH, you're going to have a limited amount of time to get it back up and running in those temps and I wouldn't want to be waiting for parts to arrive in the mail.

Pic attached of the jumper wire I keep on hand for the thermostats.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

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

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #10 –
Dump the air down as low as possible and get 1' polystyrene insulation and cut to fit windows and inside of water access doors and floor. Don't leave your sewer hooked up, just dump when you need too. Have extra potable anti freeze available for drains and  waste tank. Make sure you are fully capable of properly maintaining water system for extreme conditions. Back to the aqua hot, its cannot be drained well enough to prevent freeze damage and replacement is 7k or more. Must be thoroughly winterized if freezing as possible. Run away, go south electric heaters and a good prepped generator for backup
Scott

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #11 –
Elliot
Thanks for the advice!!  I certainly will pick up a couple of nozzles. I do not have a clue about what you talking about jumping the thermostats, so if you could offer up some instructions or point me in the right direction it would be appreciated.
Since the coach engine will be off, I know I will loose air quickly to my step and cover so when the step remains down I will stuff the step hole with insulation to help.
Peter
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #12 –
If you have the rare failure of the high limit thermostat in an open condition, no signal to fuel solenoid, no fuel, no fire.  The work around is to jump the high limit thermostat harness wires using the wire shown or even an automotive blade fuse.  Replace high limit thermostat as you can.

If control thermostat fails, no work around, no heat till replaced.  Having one of each stat is a good idea that does not cost much.  Purchase when you order the 2 or 3 spare nozzles.

The J-bolts that hold the burner in place only fail if rusted threads stop the nut from turning and bolt twists off.  Keeping CorrosionX on threads stops this possibility which is already rare.  But a major problem if it happens to you.

I had a Newell spend two winters in WY down to -30.  The Aqua Hot did not let the Newell freeze.  Call me and I will get you in touch with him to learn what he did to prep the Newell.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #13 –
Quote from: dicksop –
I do not have a clue about what you talking about jumping the thermostats, so if you could offer up some instructions or point me in the right direction it would be appreciated.
If you get to this point, you're already on the phone with Rudy  :D

I built my jumper wire after he helped through a significant amount of troubleshooting. It was valuable during troubleshooting and I keep it around now incase I need to bypass a faulty t stat.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

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

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #14 –
I would imagine that electricity is cheaper than diesel so use of electric heaters works good
and the Aqua-hot leave the electric on if that is the case. When I'm at home in the winter I
just use the electric part of the Aqua-hot and heat the wet bay from that and use electric
heaters to keep the coach warm. When I'm boondocking in the winter I leave bedroom at 55
degrees all the time and the living room and kitchen at night and when I'm out skiing I put
the thermostat at 55 degrees and the bathroom I leave at 70 degrees all the time. At night
and when I'm out I leave the bathrooms doors closed.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #15 –
Oldguy thanks!  Advice from the one who does the winter ski thing! 
I thought the bay heat could only be run on diesel ?? Is this not the case?
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #16 –
The Aqua Hot has 2 heat sources.  These sources provide hot coolant to all areas served by the Aqua Hot including the basement utility area.

The 120 vac electric element is 5000 btus.  It will provide comfortable interior heat down to 50, maybe 45 degrees F.  Below that add the 50,000 btu diesel burner.  In below zero conditions, no diesel, you are cold, really cold.

In freezing conditions, leave cabinet doors below sinks open to warm air.  My toilet has a door but no heater vent.  So door open to rest of bathroom in freezing conditions.

Having said that, if you do not mind your interior temp being 50 degrees F, you can heat the coach on electric only in lower ambient temps than listed above.  Do what makes you comfy.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #17 –
As long as the Aqua-hot is hot the bay heaters will deliver hot air, that's why when winterizing
the the the fan needs to be disconnected as the fans will run as soon as the temperature
reaches the thermometer reaches set point and then they just blow cold air.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #18 –
Quote from: Rudy –

The J-bolts that hold the burner in place only fail if rusted threads stop the nut from turning and bolt twists off. 
Ask Elliot what the torque is, bet he knows off the top of his head
Scott

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #19 –
Quote from: dsd –
Ask Elliot what the torque is, bet he knows off the top of his head
Scott
Too soon Scott, too soon.

BUT if anyone ever needs one overnighted to them, I now keep multiple in stock.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

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

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #20 –
One other thing I  forgot to ask about for winter prep was the refrigerator. I have the original dometic two door refrigerator which, is on my replace list with an electric, but not right now. Is it ok in the extreme cold or do I have to plug the outside vents? Or anything else??
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #21 –
There may be a small water line to the ice maker in the fridge if equipped with one.  That will freeze if not insulated.  I suggest you disconnect that line, drain it and use ice cube trays when really cold outside.  Others will need to offer concerns about cooling system.

Or put in a compressor driven fridge, seal and insulate the space.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #22 –
The ice maker line has already been disconnected .
My intentions are to replace the fridge with a Samsung or lg model but not right now. Maybe next spring. Actually the fridge shows no problems ( yellow stuff or problems with cooling) I just want to replace next spring in case, and don't need the gas option
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: I know it is early but I have pre winter questions!

Reply #23 –
The fridge will be fine as you have already drained the ice line.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport