I need Heat! For my bus that is.

[mikeH8H-649]

Chaz,you can buy used proheat units from Nimco(800-526-8055)I just ordered mine,Talk with Nick at nimco and he can help you out,$400.00 plus shipping,hard to beat and alot of the guys are getting these to set up there heating systems.they have 24 or 12 volt and 45,000 btu  Mike

[belfert]

Does Nick have 24 volt Proheat units now?  I requested 24 volt and got 12 volt.  I thought it was a mixup, but I called and Nick said he only had 12 volt in the Proheats.

Nimco's units are takeouts and may be a little rough on the cosmetics, but they are guaranteed to work.  I will probably sandblast and paint the case on mine before installation.  I would highly recommend these units as the price is good.

Brian Elfert

[bobofthenorth]

Did they do that so you can heat the interior off the engine while driving without having to run the Aquahot burner?

That could explain it.  The bus was converted in Canada - ie. it was built for cold weather. 

[TomCat]

Here's few others to consider as well.    http://www.lubricationspecialist.com/index.php?cPath=8_36&osCsid=3eece523a941fdb958adb68e25d28cc5

Jay
87 SaftLiner

[Jerry Liebler]

Chaz,
     I'd suggest that you give Dick Wright, at Wrico International, a call at 541 744 4333.  He sells all the pieces needed to make whatever you want in a Webasto based heating system.  It is desirable to have a seperate 'coolant' loop for the engine and a heat exchangerbetween the loops and seperate pumps to pump the coolant in each loop.  Domestic hot water is usually heated by a water tank with another heat exchanger built in and an electric element also.  These systems can preheat the engine  and draw heat from the engine while driving.   I don't have the radient floor heating but use 6 fan coil heat exchangers.  Not a triviial installation as there are lots of bits and pieces to plumb and wire together. 
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120 

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Chaz,

Maybe try and give me your thoughts on the layout and primary use of your bus, then we will start there.
As far as use, primary region of use, Camping or just travel, winter or just summer use, ect.

Nick-

When I looked at Aquahot and Hydrohot surplus systems, I found they cost a minimum of $2000. Too rich for my blood.

OUCH!!!! That was one of the things I did not know! OOOOOWEEEEEEE! Well, I guess I will have to really start looking around or getting creative. (I've been known to do that)

Russ, I guess I would be interested in one of the ones you have. Although from what I read so far, I better set down when I go to figure up all that I need to do and cough up for a system like that.

I'm all new to this so I am VERY grateful for all the input.

Nick, what would you need me to do for you to help on the design??

Thanx again guys!
Chaz

[buswarrior]

Used take-outs are the way to go for your diesel fired water boilers.

Every modern transit and coach has one to keep the motor at emissions friendly temps. Check the transit scrap yard.

mike H8H is right, $400 and up depending on condition.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Chaz]

Thanx Warrior!
  Nick said he may be able to help me find one and help with the system design. One of the other busnuts, Steve from Indy, said we do have a "boneyard" here in IN. I may see what they have.
  Have a good one!
     Chaz

[Chaz]

Nick,
  Thanx for taking the time!!! I am trying to keep up with all this writing/emailing stuff and I think I am a little behind. 
  I'm in Indiana so heat is a GOOOOOOOD thing. I was wanting to use it to warm the motor, run radient hydronic heat in the floor, heat the water out of the faucet and heat WVO. I will be using the bus for long weekends and short runs (comparatively) for now, but I want to ultimately be able to do 3 months in it at a time in the future.
  Am I asking too much of one unit??? Should I do other systems as well?
  I talked to a cousin of mine (trucker) and he said the unit would be very expensive, not able to handle it and wear down my batteries. He said were he works, they had allot of trouble with Proheat. And they now use something called........... dang............. shoot.............  ....... ummmm, something "6" maybe? Sorry, I'll post it when I find out.
  Anyway, I am open for suggestions and how to go about it.
  Thanx for the help!!!!!             (I can use it!!  )
     Chaz

[Homegrowndiesel]

Hey Chaz

Pro heat, or Webasto are good units and will do all you need. or spring for the big bucks and get the caddy Aquahot.

A good battery bank will keep you going 3-4 days without charging or powerpole.

You'r on the right track.

Bill

[DrivingMissLazy]

Chaz, to get proper heat, you need two things. Fuel and power to run the blowers, pump(s) and ignitor. You must install a proper set of batteries and a charger to keep them topped off. I used to have to run my genset every day or two for a couple of hours to keep the batteries charged. Just part of the cost in obtaining proper heat. I would think that hydronic heat would be very inefficient as another pump would have to run most of the time to circulate the water thru the piping in thr floor. I personally think that is not a good way to go and is not really needed.
Richard

[Dreamscape]

Does anyone have location ideas for here in Los Angeles for a transit yard or such? I am interested in this pro heat thing. Just trying to save on shipping etc..

Thanks,

Paul

[belfert]

Does anyone have location ideas for here in Los Angeles for a transit yard or such? I am interested in this pro heat thing. Just trying to save on shipping etc..

Transit Sales International is in Riverside.  They may have some takeout heaters.

The transit authority for Los Angeles probably has parts buses and may have some takeout heaters to sell.  Of course, transit buses in Southern California may not be equipped with auxiliary heaters.  Some government agencies will not sell smaller parts likes heaters simply because they don't want the liability in case something happens later.  Lawyers love to sue government agencies.

Brian Elfert

[Chaz]

"I'M SOOOOO CONFUUUUSED"!!!!   lolol
 

  Man, I guess I have been looking for too many opinions.  Dang!!!!!!!!!! I did find new Webasto's locally for 2100.oo and then 175.oo for the thermostat. I think I will look at the used ones I have been told about, but I have been told some real horror stories about the different auxiliary heater brands.
  I guess I still want more info from you folks tho, since I really just don't know. What are the pros and cons??? Which ones will do the best job? I understand they are not all the same and 45,000 btu is "marginally enough".
  Sorry if I'm wearing you guys out on this, I just like to do it right.
  Many, many thanx!!!
     Chaz

[DrivingMissLazy]

45,ooo btu is more than adequate for temperatures down into the teens at least, if not more.
Richard