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Heating with Hurricane Electric Hot Water

Yahoo Message Number: 116621
I have a CO 45XL Hurricane Furnace in our coach. So, it heats the domestic water and hydronic heat for our coach (circulates heat via 1" hose).

The attached photo shows the main master panel in the coach - to identify 2 switches: First upper left is the central heat control. This (I believe) turns on the Hurricane and allows it to burn the diesel and heat the water for domestic and heating purposes.

There is another switch for "hot water". When plugged in or on Gen set, if we trip that switch, we get domestic hot water (all summer when parked).

Here is the question: How can I use the hot water switch in conjunction with the thermostats to heat the coach by using the electric hot water....and not have to burn diesel?

Thanks!

John
2003 Allure #30914

Re: Heating with Hurricane Electric Hot Water

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116634
I doubt your water heater will produce enough hot water to heat the coach like the hurricane will. That other switch you show is to turn on the gas for the hot water heater. If plugged in I normally heat the water with the electrical side of the water heater and only use the gas to get more hot water faster in colder weather. That is the way my coach works. I never felt my hurricane did much to heat my domestic water but I only use the hurricane to heat the coach.

Richard Aquino
2001 Intrigue

Re: Heating with Hurricane Electric Hot Water

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116637
Richard, your Hurricane does not heat water for the coach. It wasn't until '03 that the Hurricane that was installed heated water for use.

Don
'02 Intrigue 11427
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: Heating with Hurricane Electric Hot Water

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116639
Correct Don. I believe this type Hurricane was first introduced with the 2003 Allure. The other models followed suit within the following year. By 2004 CC had switched vendors to a similar Hydro Hot unit.

Don Seager
Former CC Owner

Re: Heating with Hurricane Electric Hot Water

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116640
Don, I think mine is different. I am fairly sure my Hurricane does heat the water in my water heater as the engine also heats that same water. I have heater hoses going around my water heater jacket that circulates the engine heat. These are the same hoses used for my Hurricane. On my system the Hurricane heats the engine coolant to supply heat to the coach heating registers and also heats the water heater by osmosis. That is why it is not very effective heating the hot water via the Hurricane. My water heater can heat water from the engine, electrical, gas, or Hurricane. At least I think that is the way it works.I know my water is heated by the engine running and that same system is what my Hurricane uses.

Richard Aquino
2001 Intrigue

Re: Heating with Hurricane Electric Hot Water

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116644
Richard,
What you describe is correct. The Hurricane will heat the coach and also heat the engine block somewhat. Heating of the water heater to any degree only happens as you go down the road. That is why it is called "Motor Aid". Once you stop and everythig cools down, you will get luke warm water at best, not hot enough for a shower.

Do you know that you can heat the coach rolling down the road with the Hurricane? Just turn on the controls, set the thermostat and turn on the fans. The Hurricane uses the engine heat to heat the coolant and the diesel boiler won't ignite because of th high temp of the coolan.

Don
'02 Intrigue 11427t
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: Heating with Hurricane Electric Hot Water

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116645
Again, my 2003 XL45 Hurricane system has no external hot water heater. It does help pre-heat the engine, delivers unlimited hot water at all times, and amply heats both zones in the coach as well as all basement compartments using diesel fuel for all functions. All this is done with 12V, and we've been dry camping out in -9°F and in -25° windchill on more than one occasion without issue so far in the past 15 years we've owned the coach. Amazing system, considering how compact it is and how much it does.

Jeff
2004 Intrigue 42ft Ovation
11630 w/400ISL

Re: Heating with Hurricane Electric Hot Water

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116646
Don,

Can you help me understand more clearly what you are sayings about heating the coach while moving?

First, my circ hoses to the engine are disconnected from the Hurricane and connected together. So, I'd have to reconnect them.

Then, do I turn on the comfort control switch on the main panel?

John Gates
907-244-7709

Re: Heating with Hurricane Electric Hot Water

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116648
Richard you are correct our 02 Intrigue has the same hurricane heater - if the engine is running- It provides hot coolant which is used to heat the coach and keep the water heater contents warm. Generally it won't provide enough hot water unless you leave the propane running or the electric element if you operate the generator while under way.

Vince
Intrigue #11332

Re: Heating with Hurricane Electric Hot Water

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116650
Jeff, how does your

Hurricane XL heat all the storage bays? Does it have heat exchangers in each bay?

Rich 2002 Magna

Re: Heating with Hurricane Electric Hot Water

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116651
Don,

The Hurricane "motor aid" will heat the water heater through convection as long as the hurricane is running with or without the burner or the engine.

Rich 2002 Magna

Re: Heating with Hurricane Electric Hot Water

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116652
No heat exchangers, but the metal pipes for the hydronic fluids pass through each bay as they flow to the zone blowers and back to the hydronic furnace. That maintains above-freezing temps in all the bays. The one Achilles Heel is the domestic water pump compartment. That area gets insufficient heat in extreme conditions, and we need to run a small lightbulb there to keep the pump from freezing. Needless to say, we are confirmed warm weather fans, but must travel to-from New Hampshire in the late Fall and late winter each year. 8) Safe travels.

Jeff 03/04 Intrigue 42ft.

Re: Heating with Hurricane Electric Hot Water

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116659
Don, you are correct and I do and probably have always used my Hurricane to warm us up while driving. As a note: Since I had the wax controller installed the heated air from the hurricane while driving is not as hot. My engine temps rarely get over 183 which is 10 or more degrees less than what I use to get. Still nice.

Richard Aquino
2001 Intrigue