COLD DSDP

[SNAIL1]

We are traveling in Alaska and the outside temperatures are colder than at home in Florida. We find the 38 ft 2001 DSDP heater system doesn't keep us warm as we drive.

Any ideas as to why? I've insulated some of the hot water line from the engine to the heater up front. I am trying to find the valves at the engine to confirm that they are 100% open.

Thanks for any input.

[SNAIL1]

We are traveling in Alaska and the outside temperatures are colder than at home in Florida. We find the 38 ft 2001 DSDP heater system doesn't keep us warm as we drive.

Any ideas as to why? I've insulated some of the hot water line from the engine to the heater up front. I am trying to find the valves at the engine to confirm that they are 100% open.

Thanks for any input.

[RVDude]

If you are talking about the dash heater not keeping up while driving, you are probably quite in the norm. I find my dash heat will start losing ground when the outside temp is teen's (F) and below and definitely need to supplement the dash heat with the coach heat when things hit single digits and below. I know my Evans is seeing a full flow of coolant, they just don't have the BTU's to handle those temps alone. So, things sound quite normal.

Also pay particular attention to the basement temps around your water lines when driving in those conditions, maybe get a couple of those remote sending thermometers to keep a constant eye on what's going on down there while in transit.

I doubt there are valves at the engine, just heater hose tap offs. The only valve will be up front right near the dash unit which the dash temp knob controls.

At least that's been my experience as one of the resident sub-zero (F) frequent travelers...

[CSX4350]

My dash heat wouldn't keep up in the 40's and low 50's, nevermind the teens! Luckily I have Hydro-Hot and the motoraid will heat the HH which keeps the coach warm without having to run the burner. You don't have that luxury.

Us tropical folks tend to get cold easily too which doesn't help.

[harley3]

I have a 2001 DS on a SPARTAN chassis and at 25 degrees the front area is very comfortable. what chassis are you running?

[Lug_Nut]

The engine heat/cool control is vac. controlled. The dashpot on the DSDP Evans is located on the passenger side under the lift hood. It is in plain view. I had one fail as the housing around the dashpot broke loose and allowed the unit to move instead of the control arm. This required the entire housing to be replaced. Anyway check out the area and also make sure the vac. hose is secured and not leaking.
The piping from the engine to the front is made up of steel piping, and as posted loses alot of heat while travelling from rear to front. It will help to put that foam pipe insolation on the piping. It is available at nearly any hardware. Best of luck.

Peter

[SNAIL1]

Thanks for the comments. I neglected to mention ours is a 38 ft built on a Spartan chassis. I will check out the Evans valve and vacuum hoses on the passenger side front.

The hot water piping from back to front is very difficult to access. It's in a bundle and difficult to reach. I will continue to work with it.

With the fan control on the middle setting, I would estimate the air is approximately 95 to 100 degrees F. The ourside temps have been in the 50's with mist and some rain.

Thanks for the comments. They help determine where to start. We are new to this coach.

[Mike and Claudia]

Somthing you might check--

on my '99 DSDP, just inside of the frame on he ldrivers side of the chasis toward the front of the engine there is a 1/2 inch valve (looks like a water valve) that turns off the hot water from the radiator going toward the front of the coach. I have the side draft radiator and it is, again on the inside of the frame toward the front part of the radiator.

I hope that makes sense. I found it one time when I was lying in the grass just checking out the underside.

[Mike and Claudia]

Somthing you might check--

on my '99 DSDP, just inside of the frame on he ldrivers side of the chasis toward the front of the engine there is a 1/2 inch valve (looks like a water valve) that turns off the hot water from the radiator going toward