Temporary driver bus heat in a 4107

[zimmysurprise]

Hello Eric- Moving it now is not the best idea but if you really have to make it work, a couple ideas. The heater valves on my 4108 were on the bulkhead forward of the engine so make sure they are open. Any transient heat up front will help a little. If you have a tester, you should be able to find a hot wire up front to try a direct connect to the defroster fan. I suggest an inline fuse. If that won't work, I'd consider a small propane heater secured safely to warm the front of the bus somewhat. Consider blocking off behind the driver. Without some heat, your windows will fog and frost on the inside, (leading to your worst day). If your 4107 is 24v, consider taking a good 12v deep cycle battery with you and a 12v fan so you can keep the windows clear. 12v is easy to find at truck stops, 24v usually takes a wifi connection, a UPS driver and a week. You say the bus is in good shape, make sure the tanks are drained of water (if they aren't already frozen). Good luck.

[fortyniner]

Was the electric water pump removed with the heater? I believe the water flows through it to get to either heater core. If its missing then its possible there is no water to the front heater. Check your diagram for the panel terminals that
supply the defroster blowers. Its terminal 47 and 48 on a 4108 but its probably different on the 4107.

I can't even imagine starting a bus at that temperature. Heck, its barely freezing here in Texas and I dont what to go out fool around with a bus.

[sdc53]

I have a 4107 and wouldn't consider what you are doing... It's cold, there are drafts in the drivers area, so you'll be getting some of that windchill inside. Windows will fog up, you will need defrosters and fans occasionally (are the fans still there?) to help keep windows clear.  Add on road conditions, concerns over fuel and air systems, inability to keep yourself warm, and the fact my bus won't even start when it gets that cold... Too much to think about to be safe on the road.

[pvcces]

Dave, I had to use a scraper (new) to keep the windows clear on my first rip, returning from Alaska. I ran into -50F and my breath caused way too much fogging of the windshield. Of course, the catalytic heater was making matters worse.

I think that you aught to get your heating working, and if the weather is too bad to fix your heat, it is too cold to drive anywhere safely.

We have one original blower in our coach. I rigged up a house line thermostat that cycled the blower relay on and off. I figure that I could get at least 200,000 BTU into the coach when going down the road.

For what it's worth.

Tom Caffrey

[Scott & Heather]

Go get the bus. Dress super warm (as if you're going out in the weather) and bring along a couple of 20# propane tanks and a nice sized propane heater. But, I'll warn you this: the moisture thrown off the propane heaters will soak your windshield glass with so much condensation, it will be unsafe to drive (I've done it) but, take a rag, put a small amount of dish soap (dawn or other) on the rag, and smear it on the windshield. Wipe it down to where it isn't too hazy to see, and that will help a lot with fog/condensation on the windshield. Use a couple of fans if you can to blow on the glass to keep that problem minimized.

[John Z]

... one of you sharp math guys what would be the wind chill at 20 degrees driving at 50 mph be ? cold I bet 

The temp of the bus and the fuel tank and fuel will not get cooler than the ambient temperature, no matter how fast you drive. But you don't want to stick your arm out the window! Wind chill only makes a difference to people, animals etc.

[daddyoften]

I'm going to shoot for a day that's in the 40's to drive it home but that will probably be the high for the day.  I have plenty of warm cloths to get dressed in but just sitting there and not moving will make it chilly pretty quickly with the drafts and such.  I'm used to "working" in the cold,  sitting sucks!  My wife will be following me home so we can stop and take warm up breaks.   I have a sunflower heater that you use on a propane tank but I agree the water vapor will be too much plus the heat will travel up and not get to my feet very good.  I'm going to pin up a tarp behind the drivers seat to keep the heat up front with me.  I'm mostly worried about my feet as I've stayed in the cold too long and my fingers and toes can't take it much anymore.  Hence one of the reasons for getting the bus; Travel to warmer weather!!!!!!   
I don't think the water pump up front is still there so I might be out of luck for front heat.  The bus is 12v and I can just temporarily hook up the fans under the dash once I figure out the wiring.  I don't remember seeing the windshield fans anymore.  I won't have too much time to mess around with it though because we have to drive down to the bus, load all the extra stuff, seats, couches, interior parts, then make it back home before dark 

[John Z]

By all means, electric socks.

[robertglines1]

anti-fog spray on inside of windshield helps a bunch.  also harbor freight has a 12 volt defroster/heater with fan that would help--put it on your feet if nothing else.  Bob

[Oonrahnjay]

The temp of the bus and the fuel tank and fuel will not get cooler than the ambient temperature, no matter how fast you drive. But you don't want to stick your arm out the window! Wind chill only makes a difference to people, animals etc.   

      You are correct about this but there is a special condition -- I have a friend who is a long-haul trucker based in Kentucky.  Many of the new trucks in their fleet were gelling when the fuel should have been treated well enough.  They looked and measured and found that they were only gelling when there was snow on the roads, with lots of salt.  Apparently, the new trucks had fuel lines that were exposed near the drive wheels and when water/salt was thrown on them, the water/salt was already at ambient temperature but driving along at ~60 MPH, the blast of air evaporated the "supercooled" water out of the mix and that acted like a refrigerator system and cooled the fuel lines down below gel temperatures.  Once they covered the fuel lines (and added more return of fuel from the engine back to the fuel tanks to warm the fuel), the problem was solved and instances of gelling went way down.
      So there might be *some* effect like windchill in exactly the worst situations in very bad conditions.
      But when you're in those temps to start with, it's bad enough to be out there earning your living -- it's hard to justify when it's just a hobby and you could get stuck, endangered, damaged etc.

[daddyoften]

Interesting info about the ice/salt.....

[Beesme]

Just a thought . 100' of heater hose and a 12vdc pump and you would have instant heater lines to front of bus. Just a thought . Good luck !

[solodon]

Hey Eric, did you get the coach home?  What did you do for heat?  Or are you waiting for a break in the weather?  Inquiring minds want to know.   Don

[daddyoften]

No, not yet. Was looking at this weekend but they don't have the tires mounted yet :-(

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[Oonrahnjay]

No, not yet. Was looking at this weekend but they don't have the tires mounted yet :-(   

     Yeah, would have been a good time to do it, if you coulda caught a "quiet time".