| Author |
Message |
Bruce King
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 11, 2004 - 2:03 pm: | |
When you install one of these you have the choice of either plumbing it directly into the bus coolant or running a coolant supply for
the webasto.
The bus coolant option means that you don't have
to have an expansiion tank -- the radiators will serve that purpose. The downside appears to be
that you are expanding the number of failure points that will cause you to lose engine coolant.
The seperate coolant means that your heater (non-critical use) is isolated from your engine coolant (critical use) -- but you have to have an expansion tank and possibly a second tank to increase coolant volume. The engine heat function is done via a heat exchanger, so the two fluids are kept seperated.
What did you do, and how did you get to that decision?
btw, sure marine service in seattle has a great webasto display. All models are installed on a wall display, with each set up to service multiple zone forced air heat exchangers.
so you can see an airtop, 2010, 2020, etc, and each has a full set of accessories -- thermostats, wiring, relays, etc. was really cool to be able to look at how they did it for various models. If you are in the seattle area I'd say its worth a visit if you are considering a webasto heater. |
Henry R. Bergman, Jr. (Henryofcj)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 11, 2004 - 2:22 pm: | |
I have not done the Webasto heating thing yet with my coach plans, but right now am leaning towards two (2) separate systems--the "house" and the "chassis".
Perhaps a little bit more complicated but also a little bit (possibly?) redundant. Possibly also in my application (low buck project) a little bit less expensive.
Heater cores from various cars are very cheap at wrecking yards. Even sometimes free for the asking. With the "chassis" heating system, will be using...
...the coaches existing front heater and will be just be adding on three (3) or four (4) additional heater cores throughout the coach. May also have some...
...small 12VDC muffin fans to help push the air thru the heater cores. The separate "house" heating plan is still in the planning stage. Thank you. |
Doug Wotring
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 11, 2004 - 2:27 pm: | |
go with an airtop system...forced hot air...no plubing no leaks and alot smaller |
bruce king
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 11, 2004 - 4:49 pm: | |
for me, i wanted the engine preheat and water heating aspects, so the airtop wasn't a choice. |
david anderson (Davidanderson)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 11, 2004 - 7:18 pm: | |
Bruce,
Go to the "Utilities" section and click on the "Search" function. I typed in "Webasto plumbing" and 319 threads came up.
There are some really good installation hints in those archives.
David Anderson |
Bill Glenn
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 11:32 pm: | |
Hey Bruce
We are just now working on the same portion of our conversion that you are looking at. We chose to incorporate all systems together. Failure points can be a problem, but we hope to install all parts of the system in a reliable manner.
For the efficiencies of heat transfer we chose a combined approach. Our goals are to utilize all of our heated hot water makers to assist one another in time of need. (cold weather)
When ever we run the bus engine, generator, webasto, or have available land line power, we want to heat our potable hot water, our mechanical room (bay), zoned interior heating, as well as have the ability to preheat both diesels on demand. Land line power being the least efficient, least powerfull of the three (in most situations).
Why? long term useability in all weather conditions. Cold weather Coach Conditions.
This is the third time re-plumbing our system. We believe this will do the job as we desire. All of the other plumbing options worked, but had limitations that were unacceptable to our desired goals. You live and learn. The hardest part is spending the BIG BUCKS. (more for the heater than the bus)
We hope to have our system up and running for our trip to Arcadia for Bussin 2005 (last year we froze our butts off in North Carolian) if everything goes as planned.
We looked at Sure marines web site as well as alot of the other sites that sell Webasto heaters and we chose WRICO to purchase our parts.
Read George Myers coach heating book.
The best off the shelf system to date is probably the Aquahot system. IMHO $$.
Good luck in your quest, Keep in touch.
Bill Glenn |
Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 10:19 pm: | |
Hello Bruce.
Good for you in struggling with which principles of design to follow!
Mine is integrated, plumbed in to the big heater lines leading forward, in the centre hold.
One of the flex line connections to the Webasto slipped apart 30 minutes north of Arcadia last year, starting the journey back to Canada. (smooth pipe connection instead of ribbed for the clamp to grip, from previous owner)
Watched the coolant dump out the bottoms of the bag doors, both sides, like a water bomber at a forest fire!
Not a big deal. Closed the two heater line valves in the engine room, put some spare coolant and water in the engine, keeping track of the mix, and stopped at the next gas station, made repairs and topped up with the adjusting mix of antifreeze and water to return freeze protection to proper levels.
Something to consider: nothing will preheat your engine faster from stone cold than a coolant furnace, if you ever need it, you'll be happy you design in the capability.
Maybe have your systems seperated, but tied together with some valving so you can integrate if needed?
happy coaching!
buswarrior |
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