Community Forums

Ted Lambert · 08-05-2013, 08:20 AM

My new to me 1998 Triple E has a switch on the kitchen cupboard.The switch looks like a regular light switch,however it has three positions. one is for heater and the other for microwave. I'm not sure what heater this switch refers to. Any Ideas?
Also on a recent trip to the mountains we discovered that the cabinet that the hot water tank is located got very warm. On further examination we found there are heater hoses from the engine running into the hot water tank. These are in addition to the regular plumbing for the hot water.IE cold in hot out when used with propane.That was the source of the heat in the cabinet.
Has anybody any experience they could share about these systems.
I know Triple E is know for the cold weather capabilities however the manual is limited in info.
Looking forward to your experiences on this.

greatlakes · 08-05-2013, 08:55 AM

Only guessing here but I would think that switch is probably heat pads for your holding tanks.

Smitty77 · 08-05-2013, 09:53 AM

Tripple E makes a good coach. Hope you enjoy yours. They are still building coaches today, so perhaps a call to them with will answer your questions.

Have fun, be safe,
Smitty

Skip426 · 08-05-2013, 10:20 AM

Because you have the switch, for swapping power between the 110v side of the , W/H and microwave , I'll assume the coach only has 30amp service.
The set up is to prevent overload by having, the electric W/H and microwave operating at the same time , and was fairly common on 30 amp systems.
The engine heat to W/H is still available, as an option, on W/Hs today though seldom installed, to prevent tank freeze up while driving, so you don't have to try and run the W/H on propane.
EEE's are built in Manitoba , where they know what winter is all about.
My last 5er, 2005, was EEE, I purchased new and their customer service was second to none. I boon docked at -28c and was comfortable.
As mentioned, EEE is still operational, and may be able to provide access to any manuals you don't have . All my contact info went with the 5er, so I can't provide #s, but Winkler Manitoba is still their head quarters.

Ted Lambert · 08-05-2013, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

Because you have the switch, for swapping power between the 110v side of the , W/H and microwave , I'll assume the coach only has 30amp service.
The set up is to prevent overload by having, the electric W/H and microwave operating at the same time , and was fairly common on 30 amp systems.
The engine heat to W/H is still available, as an option, on W/Hs today though seldom installed, to prevent tank freeze up while driving, so you don't have to try and run the W/H on propane.
EEE's are built in Manitoba , where they know what winter is all about.
My last 5er, 2005, was EEE, I purchased new and their customer service was second to none. I boon docked at -28c and was comfortable.
As mentioned, EEE is still operational, and may be able to provide access to any manuals you don't have . All my contact info went with the 5er, so I can't provide #s, but Winkler Manitoba is still their head quarters.

Yes it is a 30 amp unit. I appreciate your time and I will be looking into contacting the factory. I'm very curious where the extra heaters are.

Skip426 · 08-05-2013, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by narampa

Yes it is a 30 amp unit. I appreciate your time and I will be looking into contacting the factory. I'm very curious where the extra heaters are.

If equipped with an aux rear heater ( an option even from EEE ) it would be close to the back of the coach. Location on my Newmar was under the bed, if equipped.
Follow the engine heater hoses from the W/H to see if they go anywhere except the dash.
BTW. EEE may be on summer holiday shut down so contact may be slow , dropped by this time of year 3 years back , and only 5 people in the whole facility.

Ted Lambert · 08-05-2013, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

If equipped with an aux rear heater ( an option even from EEE ) it would be close to the back of the coach. Location on my Newmar was under the bed, if equipped.
Follow the engine heater hoses from the W/H to see if they go anywhere except the dash.
BTW. EEE may be on summer holiday shut down so contact may be slow , dropped by this time of year 3 years back , and only 5 people in the whole facility.

Thanks there is a heater under the bed,but the ones that I was talking about is the electric heaters.
I have sent an Email to Triple E.
I guess what I really want to know now is/ The switch on the cupboard is that the only one that controls these electric heaters? How would a person even know that they are working? I guess an amp meter,but you still have the to know the location or at least where power source comes from.

sswilson · 08-05-2013, 03:31 PM

How many rooftop units do you have? If you have two and only have 30 amp service, the switch may prevent you from running the rear unit and microwave at the same time. I had that configuration in an older HMC 30' motorhome.

Ted Lambert · 08-05-2013, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sswilson

How many rooftop units do you have? If you have two and only have 30 amp service, the switch may prevent you from running the rear unit and microwave at the same time. I had that configuration in an older HMC 30' motorhome.

I only have one roof unit, and it is quite good. There is ducting into the hallway and bedroom. You can select either front or rear or a little of both and the switch makes no differance where it is selected it does not effect the A/c. I made sure the compressor was on when doing this test. I am convinced it is some kind of strip heater. Just don't know where. When I get time I am going to get my meter out and start checking. Everything works in this old unit [30.000 miles] and I don't think I will ever use it in the winter time. Just the old mechanic in me coming out. It's like a steering wheel on my crotch, it's driving me #@@@.

sswilson · 08-05-2013, 06:02 PM

As far as the hoses from the engine to water heater, I have those in my Winnebago. It is great to show up at a site or rest area and have hot water without having to start the propane and wait.

Ted Lambert · 08-05-2013, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sswilson

As far as the hoses from the engine to water heater, I have those in my Winnebago. It is great to show up at a site or rest area and have hot water without having to start the propane and wait.

You bet I can see the advantage to that. My wife got very alarmed when she discovered the heat in the cab nite. But now it makes sense.