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Intrigue Defroster & Hurricane Heater

Yahoo Message Number: 922
Has anyone experienced problems with a lack of defrosting/de-icing on an Intrigue? I was returning from Florida and hit this rare snow fall in South Carolina. Could not keep the ice from building up on the windshield. The dash defroster was not capable of producing much if any heat. Finally, I just pulled over and waited it out. Should I expect more form the dash unit? Also, the dash A/C unit was of very little help in Florida where temps were warm enough for A/C.

As far as the Hurricane heater goes, the unit overheated several times. I believe the water lines had air in them, since the water pump ran continuously, sounded as if wasn't moving any water, and was extremely hot. The only way I was able to get it working again was to disconnect the hot wire to the water pump and reconnect it. This seemed to allow water to move again. According to the manual, there should be some bleeder valves/screws somewhere in the system. I was unable to locate any. Does anyone know where these bleeder valves might be?

Thanks,
Rob

'02 Intrigue, #11480

Re: Intrigue Defroster & Hurricane Heater

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 923
Hi Rob,

My name is Jack Finnegan and my wife and I, Mary Lou own a 2001 36' Evening Star and have had problems with the Hurricane. The best help I found is to call CC and file a report and then call the Distributor Jim Rixen at 800-925-6260. If Jim is not in ask for anyone to help you. They know their product. Good Luck. Let me know how you make out.

Jack Finnegan

Port Saint Lucie, FL
CC# 11253

Re: Intrigue Defroster & Hurricane Heater

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 924
Hi Rob---------Didn't read you email good enough but the bleeder valves are on top of your furnace. Rixen's will talk you though to bleed it.
Jack

Re: Intrigue Defroster & Hurricane Heater

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 925
Jack,

I did notice one bleeder valve on top of the unit. However, I believe it was for the diesel fuel. Could this be the one you are referring to?
Rob

Quote
Hi Rob---------Didn't read you email good enough but the bleeder

valves are

Re: Intrigue Defroster & Hurricane Heater

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 926
Hi Rob,

I had a similar experience driving West on I-70 into Denver this past April... late April I might add. I own Intrigue #10602. Here are a couple of things to try.
  • Position your A/C vents on both the left and right side of the top of the dash so that they point toward the windshield. This may sound obvious, but I forgot to try this so maybe someone else might too. I forget those vents are there and usually roll them so that they are blocked, thereby directing more cool A/C to the floor. That is probably a mistake when traveling in cold weather. Positioning these toward the windshield instead will allow warm air to be directed though the A/C vents as well as the defrosting vents. In particular, you may want to point them toward the part of the windshield you observe your mirrors through to help keep the ice from forming there.
  • Position the fans in the upper front corners of the coach so that they blow air on the windshield as well. I understand truckers use these fans for this purpose but have not tried it since I am almost always in warm climates.
I am not sure if this would solve the problem but it is worth a try. These coaches have a lot of windshield surface area to keep warm and it is hard to keep them that way in extreme temperatures. When CC was asked a similar question at a Rally, Bob Lee's response was, basically, stay away from such weather . Maybe he wasn't kidding! George, Intrigue #10602

Re: Intrigue Defroster & Hurricane Heater

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 927
George,

I didn't even think about the fans and maybe that would have helped. I did position the vents at various points, but really didn't help. And yes, I agree about staying away from that type of weather. However, what are the chances of seeing snow traveling from Florida to South Carolina? Better than I thought :)

Thanks,
Rob

Intrigue #11480

Re: Intrigue Defroster & Hurricane Heater

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 928
Quote from: ]
Has anyone experienced problems with a lack of defrosting/de-icing [/quote
uote]
on

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an Intrigue?
I do not have an Intrigue so I am not able to respond directly. I have an Allure. The point I want to make is similar to George's. Do not hesitate to use the fans in the upper corners of the coach. I have not had a problem with winter driving and I use mine all the time. I am sure it helps circulate air over the windshield. It also helps to circulate air in the coach. I have also found them to be a great resource in hot weather. The air these fans move helps to move the cool air the AC is producing. This makes the coach more comfortable in the driving area. My wife and I have also found it helps to close the door to the bathroom and bedroom area when we travel. This reduces the amount of space the heating and cooling systems have to maintain.

Hope this helps you Intigue owners if you have not tried it.

Dave G.

Re: Intrigue Defroster & Hurricane Heater

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 929
Yes this is the valve. Under normal operation you should feel the hose that the bleeder valve is connected to pulse about once a second. To bleed it you open up the valve and it will begin to pump or pulse quite fast. I think there is a section in your book that explains what to do. By the way the distributer Rixen is located in Oregon so you can reach him until at least 8 est tonight. Good luck--Jaack

Re: Intrigue Defroster & Hurricane Heater

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 930
Bob,

I have a '97 Intrigue (36') and have traveled in most weather extremes a number of times. The fogging gets out of hand without use of the fans under the right/wrong weather conditions. The fans will take care of the problem when used in conjunction with full defrost. Just don't let it get out of hand.

The over the road cooling is not quite sufficient in plus 90 degree weather or when the sun is baking through the front windshield. In these situations, I fire up the generator and run one of the roof airs. This does the trick and it doesn't seem to affect the fuel mileage too significantly.
If I remember right, you will lose about a half mile per gallon. I am not sure you can run both airs for an extended period of time because both roof airs are on one 25 amp circuit breaker on the generator. I do know that you can't run them both when parked, but the increased airflow may help when traveling. Country Coach may have split the ACs up on the later coaches, but I don't know that. I do know that there were some complaints. You will have to check yours if you feel the need to run both off of the generator. Dry camping in hot weather comes to mind!
I'll be heading for Florida (from Michigan) in a couple of days. I hope the snow melts in the south by the time I go through and the roads are dry. Salt sure can make a mess of a coach. Good luck!

Joe from Michigan

Re: Intrigue Defroster & Hurricane Heater

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 932
GB,

Thanks for the info on the location of the automatic bleeder valve.
I sent Country Coach an e-mail and asked the same question. I believe your answer is correct, since CC said the valve was right next to the Hurricane unit and I was unable to locate it.

I knew the unit was overheating due to a "1" fault code on the control panel, which indicates overheating. I think the water pump continued to run as it was trying to "cool itself down." However, since it was moving air instead of water, it never cycled properly.

Thanks again,
Rob

Intrigue - #11480

Re: Intrigue Defroster & Hurricane Heater

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 936
To aid in air conditioning, is it ok to run the dash A/C on max as this does seem to move more air?

Re: Intrigue Defroster & Hurricane Heater

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 937
Quote from: Yunker
To aid in air conditioning, is it ok to run the dash A/C on max as

this does

Quote
seem to move more air?

Doug,

You may use the MAX setting anytime you want to do so. When the MAX setting is used, it closes off the outside air intakes and recirculates the inside air. This is main reason it feels cooler and moves more air. At some time you probably should allow some outside air into the coach to freshen the air and get rid of some of the carbon dioxide that accumulates from breathing. This is a bigger concern in a car than it is in a coach.

When I am traveling, I prefer to run the front roof AC with the generator rather than the dash AC. The roof AC is able to produce much more cooling than the dash AC. The other benefit is engine performance. The dash AC takes horsepower from the engine. The generator with the roof AC is more efficient than the dash AC and you have additional horsepower and torque to climb hills or just crusing down the road. I typically find a 1/2 mile per gallon better performance when I use my generator for AC. Additionally, it is a great way to exercise your generator.

Dave G.

Re: Intrigue Defroster & Hurricane Heater

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 938
Hi Rob, I haven't read all your replys yet but I travel in that kind of weather quite often and always use the fans directed towards the windshield to help defrost the snow and sleet that accumulates. I also try like the dickens to avoid that kind of weather but it isn't always possible.

Haven't been on the site for a while, 44 days in the shop with less than a year old coach.

John.