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SG5851 · 01-20-2022, 11:22 AM

I purchased a 2004 Winnebago Journey last spring. There is an engine heater switch above the control panel, but I don't notice any amp draw when it is turned on, so therefore I'm pretty sure it isn't working. Also, I don't see a circuit breaker in the electrical panel that is labeled "Engine Heater". I haven't crawled under the engine to identify a block heater, but I guess that will be my next step. Anyone have info on this? Thanks in advance--

Roger

Gary RVRoamer · 01-20-2022, 12:56 PM

The block heater is typically plugged into a regular outlet somewhere and yours may be unplugged. The switch just turns on the power to the outlet.

Look in a rear bay near the engine. Chances are you will see a power cord dangling and a regular 15 or 20 amp outlet nearby.Plug it in and flip the switch on. BTW, you can use that outlet to power other things when parked at your site.

RayJr · 01-20-2022, 02:12 PM

It plugs into the inverter, looking at it right side of the charger inverter on top, not visable unless your looking for it. More then likely it's not plugged in. Ray

wolfe10 · 01-20-2022, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayJr

It plugs into the inverter, looking at it right side of the charger inverter on top, not visable unless your looking for it. More then likely it's not plugged in. Ray

WOW!

Can't imagine an engine block heater being on an inverter-powered circuit.

JPO1980 · 01-20-2022, 02:27 PM

The block heater is not powered by the inverter circuit. On my 06 Journey, it is a 110v plug that as Ray said is pretty well hidden up on the far right side of rear bay.

wolfe10 · 01-20-2022, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPO1980

The block heater is not powered by the inverter circuit. On my 06 Journey, it is a 110v plug that as Ray said is pretty well hidden up on the far right side of rear bay.

Correct-- should be plugged into a 120 VAC outlet powered by 120 VAC main breaker box (shore power/generator).

cbeierl · 01-20-2022, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfe10

WOW!

Can't imagine an engine block heater being on an inverter-powered circuit.

As you can see from page 2 of the Body, 110 Volt Wiring Diagram for my 2005 Vectra 36RD the Block Heater is indeed on one of the circuits of my 2000W inverter. Pretty much everything except the Washer/Dryer, the Dishwasher, and the A/C are on the inverter. (However, I don't run the block heater off the inverter!)

cbeierl · 01-20-2022, 03:32 PM

It looks like the Block Heater on the OPs 2004 Journey 36G is also on an inverter circuit IF it has the 1500W inverter installed. See page 2 of the Body, 110 Volt Wiring Diagram for his coach.

cbeierl · 01-20-2022, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPO1980

The block heater is not powered by the inverter circuit. On my 06 Journey, it is a 110v plug that as Ray said is pretty well hidden up on the far right side of rear bay.

If you have the 2000W inverter option then the Block Heater is indeed on an inverter circuit--otherwise it's not. See page 3 of the Body, 110 Volt Wiring Diagram for your coach.

JPO1980 · 01-20-2022, 09:28 PM

My block heater is not powered by or through my inverter. With the inverter off the block heater is still powered by shore power or gen.

Powering the heater via the inverter would drain my batteries pretty quickly.

cbeierl · 01-20-2022, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPO1980

My block heater is not powered by or through my inverter. With the inverter off the block heater is still powered by shore power or gen.

Powering the heater via the inverter would drain my batteries pretty quickly.

According to the wiring diagrams, it is (at least if you have the 2000W inverter). With the inverter off the block heater (and everything else on the inverter) would still be powered by shore power or generator due to the transfer switch inside the inverter.

Note that I'm not saying it's a good idea to use the inverter to power the block heater, but I'll bet that if you unplug from shore power, turn of the generator, and turn on the inverter your block heater will operate.

SG5851 · 01-21-2022, 10:37 PM

Thanks for the good info guys. I found the cord and also the receptacle, kinda hidden on the right side of the inverter, above the ATS. When I plugged it in and turned the Engine Heater switch on, it tripped out my GFCI recept that the RV is plugged into. Cold and snowy out there today, will have to check it out further on a better day.

SG5851 · 01-22-2022, 02:54 PM

I plugged the RV into a non-GFCI receptacle and all is good. Now we'll see what temp the heater gets the engine up to. It's 34 degrees outside today.

Out N About · 01-25-2022, 04:37 PM

Glad you found it. As a fellow owner of an ‘04 36G, I think that you will be very happy with your coach. There’s not too much to discover about it other than that rocker switch on the instrument cluster. Inadvertently turning on the engine heater switch while on inverter power will kill the house batteries quickly. Don’t ask me how I know this. I’ve done the residential fridge conversion which was awesome and only want to upgrade my batteries to Lithium in the future. Make sure that your slobber tube is extended beyond your radiator or there will be cooling issues.