Freezing

[JVR]

I would like to keep my 06 Essex 4508 all elect. w/Hydra-Hot from freezing, but I don't want to winterize because I plan to use it in the winter.

Now, the diesel burner on, zone 3 furnace set at 40deg and the Bay temp at 40 deg.

Any of you veterans know if I,m safe.
Thanks,
JVR

[JVR]

I would like to keep my 06 Essex 4508 all elect. w/Hydra-Hot from freezing, but I don't want to winterize because I plan to use it in the winter.

Now, the diesel burner on, zone 3 furnace set at 40deg and the Bay temp at 40 deg.

Any of you veterans know if I,m safe.
Thanks,
JVR

[JavaJelly]

Would not stay at 40 degrees. Would go to 45. Gives you more leeway in case of a failure.

Also, make sure your wet bay is an independent zone. I have DSDP so it may be different than an Essex. The wet bay temp will make the fans kick on but, will not make the hydro hot fire up.

Make sure you have plenty of diesel. I burned through half a tank in a month in Buffalo. You will run up the hours on the burner.

Turn on both the diesel burner and the electric element in the HydroHot. This will reduce fuel consumption and create a backup system.

Also, you will still need electric for tank heaters and probably a block heater. 20 amps will not do it.

Remember also that anything below 45 degrees is hard on the compressor for your residential fridge as the oil becomes less viscous.

Because I travel in the Winter, I have some experience. I sincerely feel that winterizing is better on the coach and easier on me.

My two cents.

[Lug_Nut]

JVR, I did that last year in Canada until Jan. 1/08. Below freezing every night and some days for near 2 months. No issues. But, make sure your HydroHot has been serviced with a year, new nozzle, filter and cleaned optical eye. I didn't, it went down in Michigan with temps at 20 degrees F. Not good.
I agree with Scott, 45 degrees allows for more margin. Also, buy a remote temperature wireless set from Radio Shack, about $25. You can then monitor the water bay temp from the house or while travelling. Good luck.

Peter

[RVDude]

Some of the ePlex systems were improperly programmed (like mine) such that setting the temp below 55 or so actually turned OFF the heat. Make sure that when you set it at 40 or 45 that the heat actually comes on at that level - on ALL zones. It's a quick ePlex fix at Newmar if you have this problem. Verify your basement zone as well at these temps, make sure it fires the boiler.

Like Lug says, get a couple of those remote temp units and monitor the water bay AND under a sink. Open the cupboard doors too. Make sure your water bay heat register is operating and set to a good temp. Remember, driving at sub-teen temps the Aquahot motoraid feature is probably NOT going to be enough, you'll need to run the burner too.

And ditto Java too!!!!!