Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

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OK, I have one of those how-to questions that is not answered in 'the book'. On
my 91 on the far left topmost driver overhead dash panel, there is a black two
position toggle switch labeled "Engine Preheat" - that's it, no "on" or "off"
indication, no light. My question is: Is "on" when the switch is toggled in to
the left side or the right side of the switch? What kind of electrical draw
should I see on any of the gauges when it is on - *if* it is working?

Normally, we try to stay out of such climates where I would actually need said
switch, until this past weekend in the Texas hills where it got well below
freezing. ;^)

Thanks,

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

Taken with a grain of salt.... since my coach was a little newer and may have been slightly different.

Engine heating for cold weather starting consists of two systems:

1. engine block heater -- usually operated by a red lighted 120 VAC type switch located in the galley area on newer coaches. (Older FC models had these somewhere around the driver's position.) This is a standard 120 VAC electric block heater that provides about 1000 watts of electric heat to the engine block. It is moderately effective and requires many hours of operation before it does much good.

2. Engine preheat. On the hydronic heat models, this turns on a pump that runs the hydronic heat through the engine coolant to warm the engine. This is usually effective in warming the engine for a cold weather start in 30 minutes to a couple of hours depending on ambient temperature. (Switching my engine preheat on at 6 AM for a planned 8 AM departure in freezing weather (in the teens) would let the engine start up as if it were a 70 degree day.)

The engine preheat switch should be "ON" _and_ the hydronic heat system must also be on. On the 43' WBDA model, that required the switch over the driver to be on and the hydronic heat switch on the dashboard to be on (showing a green light) at the same time. You should also hear the hydronic heat system burner go on. When the system is operating, the water temperature gauge may begin to come up off the pin after about 30 minutes and show 100-125 degrees after an hour or two. (At least, my water temp gauge would do this -- but when the engine would start, the temp gauge would drop back to not showing anything as all the water in the radiator mixed in with the water in the block.)

To make matters less helpful, my switch moved up and down -- and was marked on and off.... <sigh> so I can't really tell you which way is which. However, if you turn on the hydronic heat, let it reach temperature until the burner switches off -- then flip the engine preheat switch, you should get the burner to come back on.... or you can go around to where your heating system is and listen carefully while someone turns the switch one way or the other to see if you hear a pump come on.

Perhaps someone with a 91 will respond.

Pete Masterson

(former) '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Feb 17, 2010, at 3:32 PM, mbulriss wrote:

OK, I have one of those how-to questions that is not answered in 'the book'. On my 91 on the far left topmost driver overhead dash panel, there is a black two position toggle switch labeled "Engine Preheat" - that's it, no "on" or "off" indication, no light. My question is: Is "on" when the switch is toggled in to the left side or the right side of the switch? What kind of electrical draw should I see on any of the gauges when it is on - *if* it is working?

Normally, we try to stay out of such climates where I would actually need said switch, until this past weekend in the Texas hills where it got well below freezing. ;^)

Thanks,

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

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Mike, my switch denotes ON to the left with a green light, and OFF to the right. I, also, get no change in amperage draw when it is on.

Rick Davis

1993 WBSA

Loudon, TN (in Naw'lins)

From: mbulriss <mbulriss@...>
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, February 17, 2010 5:32:12 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Engine Preheat Switch

OK, I have one of those how-to questions that is not answered in 'the book'. On my 91 on the far left topmost driver overhead dash panel, there is a black two position toggle switch labeled "Engine Preheat" - that's it, no "on" or "off" indication, no light. My question is: Is "on" when the switch is toggled in to the left side or the right side of the switch? What kind of electrical draw should I see on any of the gauges when it is on - *if* it is working?

Normally, we try to stay out of such climates where I would actually need said switch, until this past weekend in the Texas hills where it got well below freezing. ;^)

Thanks,

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

Mike

On to the left, off to the right on my 93. There is a pump, I think it is
twelve volts that is behind my house battery trays. It circulates warm hot
water / antifrezze mix to the engine and I think the hot water heater from you
Primus or Webasto unit. I found mine this summer when I turned on the switch
and heard it.

Enjoying the weather in the Texas Hill country, above zero and no snow to shovel

Steve Quandt
1993 PT-40
Iron Mountain MI
now in Marble Falls, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@...> wrote:
>
> OK, I have one of those how-to questions that is not answered in 'the book'.
On my 91 on the far left topmost driver overhead dash panel, there is a black
two position toggle switch labeled "Engine Preheat" - that's it, no "on" or
"off" indication, no light. My question is: Is "on" when the switch is toggled
in to the left side or the right side of the switch? What kind of electrical
draw should I see on any of the gauges when it is on - *if* it is working?
>
> Normally, we try to stay out of such climates where I would actually need said
switch, until this past weekend in the Texas hills where it got well below
freezing. ;^)
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mike Bulriss
> 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> San Antonio, TX
>

Steve, your Primus has to be turned on for that upper dashswitch to circulate fluid to the engine, right? And if so, my coach as two boilers for two zones, so which zone needs to be activated for that engine preheat to work?

Rick Davis

1993 WBSA

Loudon, TN

(in New Orleans)

From: SteveQ
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, February 17, 2010 7:01:05 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Engine Preheat Switch

Mike

On to the left, off to the right on my 93. There is a pump, I think it is twelve volts that is behind my house battery trays. It circulates warm hot water / antifrezze mix to the engine and I think the hot water heater from you Primus or Webasto unit. I found mine this summer when I turned on the switch and heard it.

Enjoying the weather in the Texas Hill country, above zero and no snow to shovel

Steve Quandt
1993 PT-40
Iron Mountain MI
now in Marble Falls, TX

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "mbulriss" <mbulriss@.. .> wrote:
>
> OK, I have one of those how-to questions that is not answered in 'the book'. On my 91 on the far left topmost driver overhead dash panel, there is a black two position toggle switch labeled "Engine Preheat" - that's it, no
"on" or "off" indication, no light. My question is: Is "on" when the switch is toggled in to the left side or the right side of the switch? What kind of electrical draw should I see on any of the gauges when it is on - *if* it is working?
>
> Normally, we try to stay out of such climates where I would actually need said switch, until this past weekend in the Texas hills where it got well below freezing. ;^)
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mike Bulriss
> 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> San Antonio, TX
>

Rick

I converted to a Webasto Scholastic unit so I only have one zone. The preheat
pump will work regardless if there is heat or not.

Steve Quandt
1993 PT-40
Iron Mountain MI
now in Marble Falls, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Rick Davis wrote:
>
> Steve, your Primus has to be turned on for that upper dashÃ switch to
circulate fluid to the engine, right?Ã And if so, my coach as two boilers for
two zones, so which zone needs to be activated for that engine preheat to work?
>
> Rick Davis
> 1993 WBSA
> Loudon, TN
> (in New Orleans)
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: SteveQ
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wed, February 17, 2010 7:01:05 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Engine Preheat Switch
>
> Ã
> Mike
>
> On to the left, off to the right on my 93. There is a pump, I think it is
twelve volts that is behind my house battery trays. It circulates warm hot water
/ antifrezze mix to the engine and I think the hot water heater from you Primus
or Webasto unit. I found mine this summer when I turned on the switch and heard
it.
>
> Enjoying the weather in the Texas Hill country, above zero and no snow to
shovel
>
> Steve Quandt
> 1993 PT-40
> Iron Mountain MI
> now in Marble Falls, TX
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@ .> wrote:
> >
> > OK, I have one of those how-to questions that is not answered in 'the book'.
On my 91 on the far left topmost driver overhead dash panel, there is a black
two position toggle switch labeled "Engine Preheat" - that's it, no "on" or
"off" indication, no light. My question is: Is "on" when the switch is toggled
in to the left side or the right side of the switch? What kind of electrical
draw should I see on any of the gauges when it is on - *if* it is working?
> >
> > Normally, we try to stay out of such climates where I would actually need
said switch, until this past weekend in the Texas hills where it got well below
freezing. ;^)
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Mike Bulriss
> > 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> > San Antonio, TX
> >
>

Thanks for the input Steve! So I guess what you are saying is that when you use the engine preheat the engine cooling system and the house hydronic heating system are hooked together and share common fluid when the engine preheat is used? Correct? Guess I should have flushed the house heating system when I flushed the engine and put in new diesel antifreeze. Never thought about that when I flushed the cooling system when we installed the new engine water pump this summer. Good thing I have not used the Primus, so the new antifreeze should not have mixed with the old green stuff in the hydronic system, correct?

How long are you in Marble Falls for?

Thanks,

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

--- On Thu, 2/18/10, SteveQ wrote:

From: SteveQ
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Engine Preheat Switch
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 9:28 AM

Rick

I converted to a Webasto Scholastic unit so I only have one zone. The preheat pump will work regardless if there is heat or not.

Steve Quandt

1993 PT-40

Iron Mountain MI

now in Marble Falls, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, Rick Davis wrote:

>

> Steve, your Primus has to be turned on for that upper dashÃâswitch to circulate fluid to the engine, right?Ãâ And if so, my coach as two boilers for two zones, so which zone needs to be activated for that engine preheat to work?

>

> Rick Davis

> 1993 WBSA

> Loudon, TN

> (in New Orleans)

>

>

>

>

> ____________ _________ _________ __

> From: SteveQ

> To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com

> Sent: Wed, February 17, 2010 7:01:05 PM

> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Engine Preheat Switch

>

> Ãâ

> Mike

>

> On to the left, off to the right on my 93. There is a pump, I think it is twelve volts that is behind my house battery trays. It circulates warm hot water / antifrezze mix to the engine and I think the hot water heater from you Primus or Webasto unit. I found mine this summer when I turned on the switch and heard it.

>

> Enjoying the weather in the Texas Hill country, above zero and no snow to shovel

>

> Steve Quandt

> 1993 PT-40

> Iron Mountain MI

> now in Marble Falls, TX

>

> --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@ .> wrote:

> >

> > OK, I have one of those how-to questions that is not answered in 'the book'. On my 91 on the far left topmost driver overhead dash panel, there is a black two position toggle switch labeled "Engine Preheat" - that's it, no "on" or "off" indication, no light. My question is: Is "on" when the switch is toggled in to the left side or the right side of the switch? What kind of electrical draw should I see on any of the gauges when it is on - *if* it is working?

> >

> > Normally, we try to stay out of such climates where I would actually need said switch, until this past weekend in the Texas hills where it got well below freezing. ;^)

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > Mike Bulriss

> > 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"

> > San Antonio, TX

> >

>

Steve, if not the hydronic boiler, then where does your dash Preheat switch gets its heat sourcefrom to heat the hydronic coolant fluid to heat the engine?

Rick Davis

1993 WBSA

Loudon, TN

(in New Orleans)

From: Michael Bulriss <mbulriss@...>
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, February 18, 2010 12:03:47 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Engine Preheat Switch

From: SteveQ
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Engine Preheat Switch
To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 9:28 AM

Rick

I converted to a Webasto Scholastic unit so I only have one zone. The preheat pump will work regardless if there is heat or not.

Steve Quandt
1993 PT-40
Iron Mountain MI
now in Marble Falls, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, Rick Davis wrote:
>
> Steve, your Primus has to be turned on for that upper dashÃâswitch to circulate fluid to the engine, right?Ãâ And if so, my coach as two boilers for two zones, so which zone needs to be activated for that engine preheat to work?
>
> Rick Davis
> 1993 WBSA
> Loudon, TN
> (in New Orleans)
>
>
>
>
> ____________ _________ _________ __
> From: SteveQ
> To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
> Sent: Wed, February 17, 2010 7:01:05 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Engine
Preheat Switch
>
> Ãâ
> Mike
>
> On to the left, off to the right on my 93. There is a pump, I think it is twelve volts that is behind my house battery trays. It circulates warm hot water / antifrezze mix to the engine and I think the hot water heater from you Primus or Webasto unit. I found mine this summer when I turned on the switch and heard it.
>
> Enjoying the weather in the Texas Hill country, above zero and no snow to shovel
>
> Steve Quandt
> 1993 PT-40
> Iron Mountain MI
> now in Marble Falls, TX
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@ .> wrote:
> >
> > OK, I have one of those how-to questions that is not answered in 'the book'. On my 91 on the far left topmost driver overhead dash panel, there is a black two position toggle switch labeled "Engine Preheat" - that's it, no "on" or "off" indication,
no light. My question is: Is "on" when the switch is toggled in to the left side or the right side of the switch? What kind of electrical draw should I see on any of the gauges when it is on - *if* it is working?
> >
> > Normally, we try to stay out of such climates where I would actually need said switch, until this past weekend in the Texas hills where it got well below freezing. ;^)
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Mike Bulriss
> > 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> > San Antonio, TX
> >
>

Mike, I have two engine heating sources. One is a block heater which is turned on under the kitchen sink. The switch above the drivers left side is for the AH system. This is as I understand it from Ralph; I claim no personal expertise whatsoever. Nothing was said to me about doing anything other than turningon the overhead switch;i.e., no need to otherwise activate the AH.Best solution, stay south of the Mason-Dixon line as much as possible.

Wallace Craig

95 WLWB 42

Azle, Texas

--- On Thu, 2/18/10, Michael Bulriss <mbulriss@...> wrote:

From: Michael Bulriss <mbulriss@...>
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Engine Preheat Switch
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 12:03 PM

Thanks for the input Steve! So I guess what you are saying is that when you use the engine preheat the engine cooling system and the house hydronic heating system are hooked together and share common fluid when the engine preheat is used? Correct? Guess I should have flushed the house heating system when I flushed the engine and put in new diesel antifreeze. Never thought about that when I flushed the cooling system when we installed the new engine water pump this summer. Good thing I have not used the Primus, so the new antifreeze should not have mixed with the old green stuff in the hydronic system, correct?

How long are you in Marble Falls for?

Thanks,

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

--- On Thu, 2/18/10, SteveQ wrote:

From: SteveQ
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Engine Preheat Switch
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 9:28 AM

Rick

I converted to a Webasto Scholastic unit so I only have one zone. The preheat pump will work regardless if there is heat or not.

Steve Quandt
1993 PT-40
Iron Mountain MI
now in Marble Falls, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, Rick Davis wrote:
>
> Steve, your Primus has to be turned on for that upper dashÃswitch to circulate fluid to the engine, right?Ã And if so, my coach as two boilers for two zones, so which zone needs to be activated for that engine preheat to work?
>
> Rick Davis
> 1993 WBSA
> Loudon, TN
> (in New Orleans)
>
>
>
>
> ____________ _________ _________ __
> From: SteveQ
> To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
> Sent: Wed, February 17, 2010 7:01:05 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Engine
Preheat Switch
>
> Ã
> Mike
>
> On to the left, off to the right on my 93. There is a pump, I think it is twelve volts that is behind my house battery trays. It circulates warm hot water / antifrezze mix to the engine and I think the hot water heater from you Primus or Webasto unit. I found mine this summer when I turned on the switch and heard it.
>
> Enjoying the weather in the Texas Hill country, above zero and no snow to shovel
>
> Steve Quandt
> 1993 PT-40
> Iron Mountain MI
> now in Marble Falls, TX
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@ .> wrote:
> >
> > OK, I have one of those how-to questions that is not answered in 'the book'. On my 91 on the far left topmost driver overhead dash panel, there is a black two position toggle switch labeled "Engine Preheat" - that's it, no "on" or "off" indication,
no light. My question is: Is "on" when the switch is toggled in to the left side or the right side of the switch? What kind of electrical draw should I see on any of the gauges when it is on - *if* it is working?
> >
> > Normally, we try to stay out of such climates where I would actually need said switch, until this past weekend in the Texas hills where it got well below freezing. ;^)
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Mike Bulriss
> > 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> > San Antonio, TX
> >
>

Wallace, I said when I left the USAF in Feb.1971, that I wouldn't be caught north of the Mason-Dixon ever again in the winter. That was after spending 3 winters in Ma., and myÂ final oneÂ in Alaska. Has worked well until this winter, now this warming thing that folks keep talking about has moved partly to Canada, and left N.C. in the deep freeze. Think I might have to move toÂ mid Fl. or southern Tx. I have lived here all my life, and am getting to old to put up with extended cold spells. Is Livingston a good place to spend the winter? I have heard that a lot of full timers winter there. My daughter lives in San Antonio, but will be vacating there in a couple yrs. at most, so we would have no reason to be there after that. I know that you folks in Tx.,Â Ok., etc.Â have been putting up with cold weather as well. I just want to know , who is holding up theÂ warming spell? George Burke 1977 FC31 Charlotte

On Thu, Feb 18, 2010 at 2:57 PM, Wallace Craig <"wallacecraig1@yahoo.com"> wrote:

Â

Mike, I have two engine heating sources. One is a block heater which is turned on under the kitchen sink. The switch above the drivers left side is for the AH system.Â This is as I understand it from Ralph; I claim no personal expertise whatsoever.Â Nothing was said to me about doing anything other than turningÂ on the overhead switch;Â i.e., no need to otherwise activate the AH.Â Â Best solution, stay south of the Mason-Dixon line as much as possible.Â

Wallace Craig

95 WLWB 42

Azle, Texas

--- On Thu, 2/18/10, Michael Bulriss <"mbulriss@yahoo.com"> wrote:

From: Michael Bulriss <"mbulriss@yahoo.com">
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Engine Preheat Switch

To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"
Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 12:03 PM

Thanks for the input Steve!Â So I guess what you are saying is that when you use the engine preheat the engine cooling system and the house hydronic heating system are hooked together and share common fluid when the engine preheat is used?Â Correct?Â Guess I should have flushed the house heating system when I flushed the engine and put in new diesel antifreeze.Â Never thought about that when I flushed the cooling system when we installed the new engine water pump this summer.Â Good thing I have not used the Primus, so the new antifreeze should not have mixed with the old green stuff in the hydronic system, correct?

How long are you in Marble Falls for?

Thanks,

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

--- On Thu, 2/18/10, SteveQ <"smquandt@yahoo.com"> wrote:

From: SteveQ <"smquandt@yahoo.com">
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Engine Preheat Switch
To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"

Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 9:28 AM

Â

Rick

I converted to a Webasto Scholastic unit so I only have one zone. The preheat pump will work regardless if there is heat or not.

Steve Quandt
1993 PT-40
Iron Mountain MI
now in Marble Falls, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, Rick Davis wrote:
>
> Steve, your Primus has to be turned on for that upper dashÃÂ switch to circulate fluid to the engine, right?ÃÂ And if so, my coach as two boilers for two zones, so which zone needs to be activated for that engine preheat to work?

>
> Rick Davis
> 1993 WBSA
> Loudon, TN
> (in New Orleans)
>
>
>
>
> ____________ _________ _________ __
> From: SteveQ
> To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com

> Sent: Wed, February 17, 2010 7:01:05 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Engine Preheat Switch
>
> ÃÂ
> Mike
>
> On to the left, off to the right on my 93. There is a pump, I think it is twelve volts that is behind my house battery trays. It circulates warm hot water / antifrezze mix to the engine and I think the hot water heater from you Primus or Webasto unit. I found mine this summer when I turned on the switch and heard it.

>
> Enjoying the weather in the Texas Hill country, above zero and no snow to shovel
>
> Steve Quandt
> 1993 PT-40
> Iron Mountain MI
> now in Marble Falls, TX
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@ .> wrote:

> >
> > OK, I have one of those how-to questions that is not answered in 'the book'. On my 91 on the far left topmost driver overhead dash panel, there is a black two position toggle switch labeled "Engine Preheat" - that's it, no "on" or "off" indication, no light. My question is: Is "on" when the switch is toggled in to the left side or the right side of the switch? What kind of electrical draw should I see on any of the gauges when it is on - *if* it is working?

> >
> > Normally, we try to stay out of such climates where I would actually need said switch, until this past weekend in the Texas hills where it got well below freezing. ;^)
> >
> > Thanks,

> >
> > Mike Bulriss
> > 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> > San Antonio, TX
> >
>

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