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Hydro-Hot HHe 200-08E questions

Yahoo Message Number: 98766
I have a 2004 Intrigue #11772 that we purchased last spring and have just loved it. We did some repair and remodel and then put about 8,000 miles on it this summer and fall. I winterized the water/ HydroHot with PINK in early November and now we are getting ready to head south for a couple of months. The question is this! I have the RV stored in an enclosed UNHEATED truck bay with other RV's. I cannot start the diesel and run the engine unless I can pull out reasonably soon. I do have a 20 amp electrical outlet I can access. Therefore, should I plug the RV in and turn on the HydroHot and the engine preheat? If I do this will the system operate on just the 20 amp service that is available? If it will operate on 20 amps approximately how long will it take to heat the system/engine? Of course the temps in the truck bay equal the outside temps of 30 degree (daytime) and 15 degrees (night time). Assuming I cannot operate the HydroHot I will just attempt to start the diesel normally. When I put it to bed in November I added the suggested amount of anti-jell to the full tank and ran the RV for 25 miles and the generator for 1/2 hour to get it mixed up. I hope that was the correct thing to do.

Thanks for your help
Glen Burgess

2004 CC Intrigue Ovation x 42'
2013 Jeep Wrangler

Re: Hydro-Hot HHe 200-08E questions

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98768
You'll have no problem running the electric side of your HydroHot on a 20 amp circuit.  Only thing to beware of is that when you plug it in I expect your battery charger will fire up at a high level.  Be sure to redefine the input side of inverter/charger as 5 amp or what ever is lowest on your unit.  Then fire up the HH.  The HH takes about 12.6 amps at 120 volts and will warm its fluid in a few hours.  A few hours later you engine will be warm.  I would give it 12 hours to heat the whole thing.

Good luck.

George in Birmingham
'03 Magna 6298
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: Hydro-Hot HHe 200-08E questions

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98769
I have my Trace Inverter/Charger Panel (RC7) set at 15 amps each time I return to the storage building. Is this what you mean? If so I will check an see if it goes lower the next time I am over there.
Glen Burgess

CC Intrigue #11772
2013 Jeep Wrangler

Re: Hydro-Hot HHe 200-08E questions

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98770
Yes Glen.  That's exactly what I mean.  Lower would be better.  If your coach is already plugged in, and the batteries are fully charged, you probably won't have a problem with the HH.

George in Birmingham
'03 Magna 6298
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: Hydro-Hot HHe 200-08E questions

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98798
Thanks for the information.

I have not used this in the winter before so I am a bit insecure about the operation. As I understand your comments I can make sure the batteries are fully charged and adjust the charging rate to the lowest setting. I have done that. Now I can start the hydro-hot and set the thermostats at 45 degrees or so and run the system on electric using the 20 amp circuit. I can leave this on all day to begin warming the coach. NOW - since I will be leaving early the next morning I would need to turn on the hydro-hot engine pre-heater in the evening and leave it on all night! Is this a problem? Will doing this damage anything? If so I guess we can leave a bit later after having the preheat run a couple of hours in the morning. At least we would not be so hurried getting out of town.

Thanks

Glen Burgess

2004 CC Intrigue 42' tag
2013 Jeep Wrangler

Re: Hydro-Hot HHe 200-08E questions

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98799
Glen,

I think that is the best you can do.  I foresee no possible damage by doing what you describe.  The only problem you have is the ambient temperature.  Remember, the electric heating element is only 12.6 amps.  This is the equivalent of a single electric heater to heat the entire inside, the plumbing bay and the engine.  I've forgotten what the expected ambient is but you will be okay if it is not below high twenties and there is no wind as you are indoors.

I think you are good to go Glen.

George in Birmingham
'03 Magna 6298
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: Hydro-Hot HHe 200-08E questions

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98800
Point taken. I think I will go and start the interior heat 24 hours before I start the engine preheat. That should give the interior the best chance of heating up a bit before I turn on the additional pump for the preheat. Either it will work or not and if not I hope the anti-jel will help get the thing started. Once I get it running for 5 minutes I can back it out I can run the rpm to 1,000 and let it really warm up before pulling out.

Re: Hydro-Hot HHe 200-08E questions

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98808
Recommend plugging in the block heater 24 hours before trying to start. Big diesel don't like to turn over when it drops below 40 degrees

Robert Huffhines
2007 Tribute 80142

On Thursday, December 18, 2014 9:06 AM, "gebpaddler@... [Country-Coach-Owners]"  wrote:

Point taken. I think I will go and start the interior heat 24 hours before I start the engine preheat. That should give the interior the best chance of heating up a bit before I turn on the additional pump for the preheat. Either it will work or not and if not I hope the anti-jel will help get the thing started. Once I get it running for 5 minutes I can back it out I can run the rpm to 1,000 and let it really warm up before pulling out.

Re: Hydro-Hot HHe 200-08E questions

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98814
I have never had an issue with any Cummins engine starting when you give the pre-heater ample time as shown on the display.  I have been as cold as 10 below with my 5.9 l,  zero with the 8.3 liter and 4 degrees with the 8.9 l.  Normally I do use the block heater on the 5.9 when I know its going to be below 10 degrees, but once in a while I forget or I am in a location where I can't plug in and there has never been a problem.  I used the hydro hot when the 8.9 and the coach are in operation.  But bringing the 8.9 out of storage for emergency trips has never been an issue on cold days.  My 7.3 liter Fords with glow plugs always gave me fits, so I was always having to plug them in.  If it wasn't the individual glow plugs failing , it was the controller or the wiring harness.  That's why I switched from Ford to Dodge trucks.  In the 13 years I have owned my Dodge I have had only one repair.  A leaky fill fitting on the air-conditioning system.  The Fords were service, fix, or repair monthly it seemed  after the warranty ran out.  TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Hydro-Hot HHe 200-08E questions

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98816
Just a question - You mentioned a display. I have the electric, diesel and engine preheat toggle switches for the HydroHot above the entry door but I do not know anything about a display. Is this something I have missed or is the display on one of your other vehicles.
Glen Burgess 2004 CC Intrigue ISL 400 - 42' Tag

Re: Hydro-Hot HHe 200-08E questions

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98817
I was referring to the wait light on the dash and to the voltmeter.  When the wait light goes out wait a few seconds until the volt meter returns to normal and then crank the engine.  Sometimes the battery doesn't have enough juice to crank the engine and supply current to the heating grid.  You can always strap the house batteries to the coach battery with the transfer switch if necessary.  But I have only had to do that once in over 16 winters.  The pickups have a bigger reserve in battery current per cu in of engine than the motor home chassis battery by itself..  TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731 and 98 Allure 30255 before.

Re: Hydro-Hot HHe 200-08E questions

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98818
I understand now. Yes, I already do wait and pause as you suggested. Additionally, this spring I installed (3) new 8D batteries - (1) for the engine and (2) for the coach. Anyway, now I am beginning to believe the (2) house batteries would carry the Hydro-Hot furnace and pumps long enough to heat the coach as well as running the engine preheat. Of course I would still leave the coach plugged into the 20 amp receptacle (to offset some of the discharge rate) for that length of time. Hopefully the 20 amp power would offset some of the battery drain.
Glen Burgess CC #11772 2004 Intrigue w/400 ISL Cummins

Re: Hydro-Hot HHe 200-08E questions

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98819
At a couple of rallies over the years we had to depend on the batteries to run the fans and the hydro hot during Quiet hours.  Depending on the temps we'd use between 30 and 50 % of the available charge on the batteries.  I hope you went with AGM batteries, they hold up better than anything else I have ever used.  TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Hydro-Hot HHe 200-08E questions

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98821
We purchased Lifeline AGMs for the coach and a standard lifeline 8d for the engine. Anyway I make sure they are fully charged once an month so they should be ready in a week when we head out. Weather in Iowa is staying around 32 for a high and teens for a low.
Glen Burgess 2004 CC Intrigue # 11772

Re: Hydro-Hot HHe 200-08E questions

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98825
I would recommend you hook up to a smart trickle charger continuously if  possible. I leave my coach plugged in continuously and the onboard charger seems  to do a good job.

George Harper
04 Allure
31093

Re: Hydro-Hot HHe 200-08E questions

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98827
Unfortunately, I cannot leave the RV plugged in continuously. Since I have it stored in a commercial building truck dock I only have access to the electrical system as I can work out with the building owner and other RV units. Hopefully charging the batteries once per month will do no harm and keep them in shape. Since we travel on and off for 6 months per year the rest of the time is not a problem.
Glen Burgess #11772 CC 42' Intrigue Tag