Hot water furnace

[vic marks]

Check out these two sites. These companies both make nice, compact, low
electrical draw heat exchangers. I replaced my hot air with a hot water
furnace, and used the pro-air models. They would also work well drawing
heat
out of an engine loop.

http://www.proairllc.com/product_main.html

http://rdac.com/

Tony: Can you give us more details on your switch to hot water? I have been
thinking about putting in the Primus hot water furnace in order to have a
radiant system throughout the coach (as was used by Buskirk in his
stretched coaches). Can you give us a general description of your setup,
the models of the components that you installed, and the costs?

Vic Marks
Vancouver, BC
75 transmode

 

[antnip]

When I was deciding on a heating system a few things came into play. One was
a couple of bad experiences with the propane system I had, one which almost
burned down my coach. The second was that the propane tank was old, rusting,
and also in need of replacement. Third was that I never liked the hot air
system which always seemed to make it real hot (As well as real noisy) when
it was running, but cooled off rapidly when it shut down. All these factors
led me to think hot water. After doing a bunch or research (as usual, too
much) I decided on a Webasto, diesel fired hot water heater. I have a model
90S. I got it at Brewers Pilot's Point Marina. There is a fellow there who
in addition to being a boat expert, also has worked with RV's. he gave me a
good deal on this unit, which came in a nice stainless steel, weather proof
case. I installed it where my propane tank used to be, as the tank came out.
(Galley is now all electric with a seaward stove top and microwave
underneath)

Inside, I had to install an expansion tank and then run regular automotive
heating hose around the coach. I installed 2 Accu-Heat exchangers (model
501HC)which I got from Defender marine, up in Connecticut. One is under the
front left couch/bunk. The second under the left side closet, allowing it to
blow into the bathroom when the door is open.

I installed a small fuel tank under the rear of the coach. The tank is also
a marine unit. I took a fuel gauge from an old car, and modified it to
replace the propane gauge in the instrument cluster so I can monitor fuel
level.

The end result is more and better heat than I could ever hoped for. I am
real happy with my choices.

Now here is the part where you may decide I'm crazy. I probably have about 2
grand in this set up. Was that more than I planned to spend? Yup Do I regret
it? Nope. I accomplished what I set out to do. Get heat I liked and peace of
mind knowing it is a safe, reliable system.

Hope that gives you some insight into my lunacy.

Tony B.

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Vic Marks
To:
Cc:
Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2000 3:21 AM
Subject: Hot water furnace

>
> Check out these two sites. These companies both make nice, compact, low
> electrical draw heat exchangers. I replaced my hot air with a hot water
> furnace, and used the pro-air models. They would also work well drawing
> heat
> out of an engine loop.
>
> http://www.proairllc.com/product_main.html
>
> http://rdac.com/
>
> Tony: Can you give us more details on your switch to hot water? I have
been
> thinking about putting in the Primus hot water furnace in order to have a
> radiant system throughout the coach (as was used by Buskirk in his
> stretched coaches). Can you give us a general description of your setup,
> the models of the components that you installed, and the costs?
>
> Vic Marks
> Vancouver, BC
> 75 transmode
>
>

 

[richard waters]

>
> Now here is the part where you may decide I'm crazy. I probably have about 2
> grand in this set up. Was that more than I planned to spend? Yup Do I regret
> it? Nope. I accomplished what I set out to do. Get heat I liked and peace of
> mind knowing it is a safe, reliable system.
>
> Hope that gives you some insight into my lunacy.

Tony,
It sounds like you have a nice setup. For me I have lots of other GMC related
things to spend $2000 on without redoing the heating system. But that is what
is neat about these things, we are free to do what we want.

For me I find that my propane furnace works very well. Of course a new furnace
was installed by the previous owner a few years before I bought the coach. Also
I have a combination microwave/convection oven in place of the original gas
oven.

The source of your hot water is from the burning of diesel fuel. I wonder how
is that safer then propane?

Now having said all that, I have some "Lunacy" of my own. I would like to add a
hot water heating system for use when I'm driving. I don't really like to run
the furnace while underway in the Winter. What I would like to do is use the
engine hot water that is already available for the hot water heater. I could
run it through a heat exchanger/radiator type unit when I need heat.

I wonder if one of those Accu-Heat exchangers (model 501HC) that you used could
be used with the engine hot water. Like you, I would like to mount one under
the left side closet. Do you think that would work? How much is an Accu-Heat
unit?

Richard Waters
1976 Palm Beach
Troy, MI

 

[antnip]

If I recall, the accu-heat exchanger was about $125. Getting the hot water
through an engine based system would be no different than running it the way
I do. In fact, I have everything tied together so I can get heat and hot
water from the engine while driving, or from my other system when parked.
These types of exchangers are frequently used in buses and trucks with only
engine water fro heat, so I think these, or Red Dot exchangers would work
great. If you only planned on using them while under way, you could even get
one of the higher output/higher amperage models, as the energy consumption
wouldn't be as big an issue with the alternator spinning,

My experience with diesel tells me it is pretty safe stuff and I feel far
more comfortable using it. A diesel leak would leave an oily mess on the
ground, not an explosion. Another perk for me, living here on Long Island,
is that without propane, I can now travel through tunnels that were
previously off limits. Also, if you ever take a look at one of these Webasto
units, you will see it is a precision made piece of machinery. My old
propane furnace looked like it was stamped out of an old tin can. My
confidence level is far higher with this new unit. I'm sure propane units
have also improved, as mine was still the original, I just didn't want to go
down that road.

As far as the cost, when I looked into a new furnace and new propane tank,
the prices were getting up there, and it was money spent on something I
really didn't like or want.

Tony

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Waters
To:
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 9:24 AM
Subject: Re: GMC: Hot water furnace

> >
> > Now here is the part where you may decide I'm crazy. I probably have
about 2
> > grand in this set up. Was that more than I planned to spend? Yup Do I
regret
> > it? Nope. I accomplished what I set out to do. Get heat I liked and
peace of
> > mind knowing it is a safe, reliable system.
> >
> > Hope that gives you some insight into my lunacy.
>
> Tony,
> It sounds like you have a nice setup. For me I have lots of other GMC
related
> things to spend $2000 on without redoing the heating system. But that is
what
> is neat about these things, we are free to do what we want.
>
> For me I find that my propane furnace works very well. Of course a new
furnace
> was installed by the previous owner a few years before I bought the coach.
Also
> I have a combination microwave/convection oven in place of the original
gas
> oven.
>
> The source of your hot water is from the burning of diesel fuel. I wonder
how
> is that safer then propane?
>
> Now having said all that, I have some "Lunacy" of my own. I would like to
add a
> hot water heating system for use when I'm driving. I don't really like to
run
> the furnace while underway in the Winter. What I would like to do is use
the
> engine hot water that is already available for the hot water heater. I
could
> run it through a heat exchanger/radiator type unit when I need heat.
>
> I wonder if one of those Accu-Heat exchangers (model 501HC) that you used
could
> be used with the engine hot water. Like you, I would like to mount one
under
> the left side closet. Do you think that would work? How much is an
Accu-Heat
> unit?
>
> Richard Waters
> 1976 Palm Beach
> Troy, MI
>
>
>
>
>
>

 

[ronald b. kazi]

Sounds like a real nice system. I have seen the diesel units during my stint at
Derecktor Shipyards. They are nice units. Defender is just a couple of miles
down the road from Derecktors, I will have to take a run by there. Post is a
few blocks away as well. I too spend lots of time researching, that, as you
know, is half of the fun.

RON

> When I was deciding on a heating system a few things came into play. One was
> a couple of bad experiences with the propane system I had, one which almost
> burned down my coach. The second was that the propane tank was old, rusting,
> and also in need of replacement. Third was that I never liked the hot air
> system which always seemed to make it real hot (As well as real noisy) when
> it was running, but cooled off rapidly when it shut down. All these factors
> led me to think hot water. After doing a bunch or research (as usual, too
> much) I decided on a Webasto, diesel fired hot water heater. I have a model
> 90S. I got it at Brewers Pilot's Point Marina. There is a fellow there who
> in addition to being a boat expert, also has worked with RV's. he gave me a
> good deal on this unit, which came in a nice stainless steel, weather proof
> case. I installed it where my propane tank used to be, as the tank came out.
> (Galley is now all electric with a seaward stove top and microwave
> underneath)
>
> Inside, I had to install an expansion tank and then run regular automotive
> heating hose around the coach. I installed 2 Accu-Heat exchangers (model
> 501HC)which I got from Defender marine, up in Connecticut. One is under the
> front left couch/bunk. The second under the left side closet, allowing it to
> blow into the bathroom when the door is open.
>
> I installed a small fuel tank under the rear of the coach. The tank is also
> a marine unit. I took a fuel gauge from an old car, and modified it to
> replace the propane gauge in the instrument cluster so I can monitor fuel
> level.
>
> The end result is more and better heat than I could ever hoped for. I am
> real happy with my choices.
>
> Now here is the part where you may decide I'm crazy. I probably have about 2
> grand in this set up. Was that more than I planned to spend? Yup Do I regret
> it? Nope. I accomplished what I set out to do. Get heat I liked and peace of
> mind knowing it is a safe, reliable system.
>
> Hope that gives you some insight into my lunacy.
>
> Tony B.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Vic Marks
> To:
> Cc:
> Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2000 3:21 AM
> Subject: Hot water furnace
>

> >
> > Check out these two sites. These companies both make nice, compact, low
> > electrical draw heat exchangers. I replaced my hot air with a hot water
> > furnace, and used the pro-air models. They would also work well drawing
> > heat
> > out of an engine loop.
> >
> > http://www.proairllc.com/product_main.html
> >
> > http://rdac.com/
> >
> > Tony: Can you give us more details on your switch to hot water? I have
> been
> > thinking about putting in the Primus hot water furnace in order to have a
> > radiant system throughout the coach (as was used by Buskirk in his
> > stretched coaches). Can you give us a general description of your setup,
> > the models of the components that you installed, and the costs?
> >
> > Vic Marks
> > Vancouver, BC
> > 75 transmode
> >
> >