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Country Coach Restoration, Repair & Parts Forums => Country Coach Archive => Topic started by: Glamorousgoose on February 28, 2002, 08:57:29 pm

Title: choice for heat when temperatures below freezing
Post by: Glamorousgoose on February 28, 2002, 08:57:29 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 1215 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/1215)
I have a 98 Magna with Webasto and heat pumps. With temperatures here in GA dropping into the teens I am concerned with the plumbing and such in the basement area. The heat pumps work fine to keep the cabin cozy but what about the basement? Do I need to keep the Webasto running to protect that area from freezing? If so, how long or how hot?
Title: Re: choice for heat when temperatures below freezing
Post by: Barbt238@aol Com on February 28, 2002, 09:26:54 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 1216 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/1216)
YES-THE HEAT PUMPS DO NOT HEAT THE BAYS OR WATER TANKS. YOU MUST RUN THE REGULAR HEAT TO KEEP THE BAYS AND TANKS FROM FREEZING.

BARB & LOU

96 MAGNA #5367
Title: Re: choice for heat when temperatures below freezing
Post by: RayGrr@aol Com on February 28, 2002, 09:57:33 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 1217 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/1217)
You need to run the Webasto, set at 45-50 degrees and it will heat your bays.

Ray Grupp
01 Magna
Title: Re: choice for heat when temperatures below freezing
Post by: Dick May on March 01, 2002, 09:53:26 am
Yahoo Message Number: 1218 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/1218)
Can you believe it? The teens here in Georgia! Why aren't I in Florida?
My coach has Hurricane heat and heat pumps. When the temp gets into the low 40s the heat pumps are of little use. And they don't touch the plumbing bay.
Additionally, I found that the factory setting of the separate thermostat located in the plumbing bay was set too low. The temp got down to 31F. I think a very short period at that temp would not freeze but an all-nighter might cause problems. I turned mine up a bit but haven't checked it this morning. I monitor the bay temp hi and low.
Also, if you have an icemaker with water lines in the refer compartment and do not have heat kit installed, you could be in for trouble.... I know from experience. I think newer models include the heat kit... my '98 Intrigue did not.

Dick May

2002 Intrigue, #11438
Member: CCI, FMCA
Title: Re: choice for heat when temperatures below freezing
Post by: Rbessinger12 on March 01, 2002, 10:21:54 am
Yahoo Message Number: 1219 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/1219)
George,

I'm curious to know if your Intrigue has a hot water heater in addition to the Hurricane. My Intrigue has only the Hurricane heater as the sole source to provide hot water. Also, there is no furnace either. This change may have just started, as my dealer said it was the first one he had seen with no water heater.

Rob

2002 Intrigue, #11480

Quote
My coach has Hurricane heat and heat pumps. When the temp gets into

the low

Quote
40s the heat pumps are of little use. And they don't touch the
plumbing bay.

Quote
>

Additionally, I found that the factory setting of the separate

thermostat

Quote
located in the plumbing bay was set too low. The temp got down to

31F. I

Quote
think a very short period at that temp would not freeze but an all-

nighter

Quote
might cause problems. I turned mine up a bit but haven't checked it

this

Quote
morning. I monitor the bay temp hi and low.

Also, if you have an icemaker with water lines in the refer
compartment and

Quote
do not have heat kit installed, you could be in for trouble.... I

know from

Quote
experience. I think newer models include the heat kit... my '98

Intrigue did
Title: Re: choice for heat when temperatures below freezing
Post by: David & Karen on March 01, 2002, 11:21:01 am
Yahoo Message Number: 1221 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/1221)
Hi Rob, responding to your note to George,

Puzzled by your comment. We have the Hurricane heater also but there is a gas water heater and electric water heater.

On my 2000 Intrigue the gas water heater is controlled by a switch on the control panel above the front door. Must be in the on position and the indicator light off. If the indicator light does not go off, then the pilot is failing on the gas water heater. I have had this problem when a wire got disconnected in the water heater compartment.

Second, you should have an electric water heater. On my unit it is necessary to remove a drawer from below the pantry. Then it is possible to reach the electric water heater switch. Apparently they leave the switch in the off position when sent from the factory. With the electric heater on (and shore power) the water will heat quite quickly.

Hope this helps.

David & Karen,
2000 CC Intrigue 11062
40 ft. Gourmet on the Road
Title: Re: choice for heat when temperatures below freezing
Post by: Dick May on March 01, 2002, 11:25:36 am
Yahoo Message Number: 1222 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/1222)
It could be, but is unlikely, that you don't have a water heater. My Hurricane cannot heat water beyond warm. Do you have a circuit breaker for a water heater? There is also an on/off switch on the water heater. It is difficult to get to on some coaches... depending on the floor plan. I have a Suite of Dreams and the water heater is behind the drawers under the pantry.
I have to remove the drawers to get to the switch. I have been told that the switch is in the off position when the coach leaves the factory.
Title: Re: choice for heat when temperatures below freezing
Post by: Rbessinger12 on March 01, 2002, 01:26:54 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 1223 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/1223)
Yes, I was puzzled at first, but the Hurricane is the only source.
It may be that my Hurricane is configured or plumbed to handle the water heating duties completely, where earlier units only supplemented it. Also, when the Hurricane is running correctly (another story), it provides continuous hot water.

By the way, my floorplan is the "Suite Sensations" with a tag axle.
Maybe the the reduced basement space played a role in not having the typical Atwood water heater.
Rob

2002 Intrigue - #11480

Quote
It could be, but is unlikely, that you don't have a water heater. My > Hurricane cannot heat water beyond warm. Do you have a circuit
breaker for a

Quote
water heater? There is also an on/off switch on the water heater.

It is

Quote
difficult to get to on some coaches... depending on the floor plan.

I have a

Quote
Suite of Dreams and the water heater is behind the drawers under

the pantry.

Quote
I have to remove the drawers to get to the switch. I have been told

that the
Title: Re: choice for heat when temperatures below freezing
Post by: David & Karen on March 01, 2002, 06:48:01 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 1226 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/1226)
Rob, The 2002 Intrigue catalogue lists under plumbing features:
Rapid recovery 10 gallon electronic ignition LP and 120 volt 1500 watt electric water heater w/motor aid.
It is hard to imagine that CC eliminates these on a $300K coach when they install the optional Hydronic heat system.

David & Karen,

2000 CC Intrigue 11062
40 ft. Gourmet on the Road
Title: Re: choice for heat when temperatures below freezing
Post by: Bill Gabler on March 01, 2002, 11:57:53 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 1228 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/1228)
Your Magna should have a temperature thermostat in the bay area set to go on at 35 degrees. In the 2001 Mag you need to use the hydronics heat to get heat to the bays. The heat pumps will do nothing for the bays. I'm sure your 98 also works the same way. Check your manual, they tell you in there how you bays are heated and which heat to use. Bill G.
Title: Re: choice for heat when temperatures below freezing
Post by: Golfnrv on March 07, 2002, 11:59:58 am
Yahoo Message Number: 1262 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/1262)
--- What I do is to 1) turn on the Hurricane heater at the contol panel over the door, 2) turn the fan switches to medium (two on the panel and one next to the bed) 3) set both zones on the thermostat to furnace and 4) set both themostats to 65 degrees.

The furnace will cycle on and off keeping you and the bays warm all night. I leave them on in the morning until the temp warms up outside, and turn them back on when it cools down in the afernoon. I set them around 71-73 degress when we are up and around and set the fans on high.
Title: heat
Post by: Mag223L_1@aol Com on March 01, 2002, 10:56:50 am
Yahoo Message Number: 1220 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/1220)
;) We would enjoy to have such problems-----we live in Ct.--and stay during the winter---so we have to winterize!!!!!!