Oasis system

[hcarmon1]

Can someone explain to a new user of the Oasis system what the AC1 and AC II mean. This is on a 2019 Ventana. Trying to learn about heating and hot water before the cool weather starts here in North Mississippi. Also can the system be used for heat while traveling to our winter park in February.

Thanks

[RichnSue]

When AC power is available, the AC heat LED on the Oasis Heating Module will turn ON. This only indicates that AC power is available and does not indicate that the electric heating elements have been activated. You have the option of using the electric heating elements by placing the AC switch on the Oasis remote operating panel in the ACI or ACI & ACII position.

If AC I or AC II is not enough to keep the water hot, use the main boiler then go back to AC I or AC II

The ACI position will turn on the primary electric heating element. The ACI & ACII position will turn on the primary and secondary electric heating elements. The OFF position will turn both electric heating elements OFF. When either of the electric heating elements has been activated, the AC heat LED on the Oasis remote operating panel will turn ON.

[twojayhawks]

They are electric elements to be used instead of or in addition to your diesel burner for heat/hot water. They offer less BTU's than the burner so in very cold camping you'll likely find you'll need to use the burner. You also need shore power or generator for electric elements so they may not make as much sense as burner while driving if you need whole house heat.

[Ricci]

Hi - Not sure if you are asking if just the electric can be used while driving or the Oasis. The electric elements don't provide enough heat to be useful but the Oasis using excess engine heat does a fine job of keeping the coach warm while traveling. Set the thermostats to the desired temperature and turn on the burner switch. The unit needs to be up to temperature and if severely cold the engine heat may need some diesel supplement. For the most part the excess engine heat will run the Oasis.


Tom

[stang37]

The Oasis can be used while traveling. If you have been using the system for heat or hot water prior to traveling then the system is up to operating temperature. Simply set the thermostat to furnace for which zone you want heat in. Turn on the burner ( I turn off the ACI & ACII) set your dash fan on. That’s it. The engine will keep the Oasis hot while traveling and if not the burner will. I used it this way several times.

[R.Wold]

With regard to using the Oasis while traveling and using excess engine heat, does this require the existence of the “engine pre-heat” option? Mine has a blank in that switch location.

[Dutch Star Don]

Here is something I wrote when we bought our first Dutch Star with Oasis.....

This is our first coach with hydronic heating and everything was new to me. I like knowing how something works and have done my own repairs and servicing for the past 35 years. We live in California and rarely see really cold days while camping. For that reason, learning how the Oasis system works has been a process. I thought I would post what I’ve learned or the past year for those using a hydronic system for the first time. This may be too basic for some and I apologize in advance. If you see any obvious mistakes, please feel free to correct me so we can get the best info out there.

The Oasis "Heating Module", on my coach, is located on the driver’s side about mid coach. When you open the bay you’ll see the rubber push button to power the unit "Power On’. The Oasis system has a second unit, called the "Distribution Module" which is located close to the heating module. Mine is located directly behind the heating module and is accessed from the passenger’s side bay.

When the coach is not in use, the Oasis unit is turned off at the power switch on the front of the unit. Before a trip, I typically turn the unit on a day before so I don’t forget. Simply turning the unit on does not activate any heating.

Side note: The Oasis unit on Ventanas and Dutch Stars, when turned on, will allow the engine coolant to heat the unit while driving. This means that when you arrive at your destination, you’ll have hot water and the ability to turn the furnace on and immediately have heat. On models above the Dutch Star, the heating works in reverse and the Oasis system can be turned on to preheat the engine coolant before travel. This option can be added to the Dutch Star and Ventana (see QT’s by PDR John).

Once you arrive at your camping destination, you have a choice of methods for heating the unit. The Oasis unit can be heated electrically by two heating elements or by the diesel burner. The controls for the unit are located in the control panel above the windshield. The two heating elements can be turned on separately or together. Typically, if you’re on 30 amps, you would use one element. 50 amps would allow both to operate at the same time.

Side Note: When the electric elements are turned on, the indicator lights, adjacent to the electric element switch will light. Once the unit reaches temperature, the lights will shut off.

The diesel burner is also turned on at the control panel and can run in parallel with one or both electric elements.

The Oasis system has a "summer loop" and a "winter loop". The word loop refers to circulation of the boiler fluid. In the "summer loop", only water for the faucets and shower are being heated. In the "winter loop", boiler fluid is being circulated to the various heat exchangers (small radiators in the coach).

The "summer loop" is activated by turning on one or both of the heating sources (electric or diesel) while keeping the "Furnace" turned off at the thermostat. In this mode, you’ll have unlimited hot water.

The "winter loop" is activated by turning the "Furnace" on at the thermostat. You can leave the "Furnace" temp at a level below that of the coach and the system will continue to stay in "winter loop" and circulate boiler fluid to the various heat exchangers. When the thermostat temp is increased to something above room temperature, fans located behind each heat exchanger will come on and begin heating the coach.

There is a reason for a "summer loop" and a "winter loop". If you leave the coach in "winter loop" (Furnace on) during hot weather, boiler fluid will continue to be circulated to the heat exchangers. Even though the fans aren’t running, the exchangers will radiate heat, unnecessarily raising the interior coach temp .

The use of the Oasis system has been a learning experience for me. It takes some managing depending on how you like to use it. We recently did our first really cold weather trip and I learned several things, which is primarily why I’m writing this.

Depending on how you use the system, it requires some management. We arrived at a campground with an outside temp of 40 degrees. We had full hookups, so I turned on just the two electric elements. We like to sleep with a cool coach and I set the furnace to 60 degrees. In the morning, I turned up the furnace to 68 degrees and my wife jumped in the shower. The heater was still running and trying to bring the coach to temp. My wife ended up with a lukewarm shower.

The heater shut off at 68 degrees and I took my shower. It was hot. I thought the running of both electric elements would be the equivalent of running the diesel burner. Not so. Several factors came into play. The ground water was very cold and was being fed directly into the system when we showered. (Oasis technicians recommend using the onboard coach water in really cold weather and then replenishing it later.)

During our summer trips, we found two electric elements were plenty for a hot shower, especially since the system was not heating boiler fluid for the heat exchangers. Now in cold weather, with the heater running and showering at the same time, we needed the diesel burner and both electric elements. On this same trip, we boon docked for 5 days. The diesel burner is sufficient to heat everything by itself.

So here’s what we found. If we have 30 amp or 50 amp hookups during a summer trip, we’ll turn on one or both electric elements and have hot water. If we have 30 amp or 50 amp hookups during a cold winter stay, we’ll turn on both electric elements and the diesel burner. The electric burners will maintain temp and the diesel burner will supplement during high demand.

It’s apparent the diesel burner will provide all heating needs, but I don’t like to leave it on as the sole source of heat in a campground with hookups. Running the electric elements and the diesel burner will keep it from running unnecessarily.

Some other things.....When we first got the coach, I didn’t feel that the shower was getting as hot as it should. I called Oasis and they recommended that I turn up the flow valve. The valve is located inside the "Distribution Module" and requires removing the cover. This helped, but didn’t solve the issue. Another poster recommended that I remove the handle on the shower faucet and look for a restrictor. Sure enough, there was a red plastic ring used to restrict the travel of the handle. I removed the restrictor and have been very satisfied with the temp.

Oasis offers a service kit for $100.00. It includes tune parts, filters and a large diesel fuel filter. The filter is similar to the engine filter and is located in the generator bay on my coach.

The unit also uses Century Transfer Fluid in the boiler system. The overflow canister for the system is at the rear of the coach in the engine compartment.

I hope this helps some new users with their Oasis unit.

["007"]

Welcome to the forum.
Here is a link that has some other information by DS Don and PDR John on your Oasis and many other items in your coach also.
Enjoy the forum and safe travels.

[Ricci]

With regard to using the Oasis while traveling and using excess engine heat, does this require the existence of the “engine pre-heat” option? Mine has a blank in that switch location.


Hi - The engine preheat is a circulator pump that does just that - preheats the engine via the Oasis. It is more robust than the electric elements that come standard for preheating the engine. It is not standard on the non-highline coaches. That's a different function than using the engine to supply domestic hot water. You have that built in so long as you follow the directions. See #4 above.


Tom

[hcarmon1]

Thanks for all the replies. I have had Tifton products since 2004 with propane heat.
This is my first Newmar and Oasis system so having to learn as I go. Don very good information and simple is better for my old mind. Thanks to everyone.

[Vickie 4369]

Originally Posted by R.Wold

With regard to using the Oasis while traveling and using excess engine heat, does this require the existence of the “engine pre-heat” option? Mine has a blank in that switch location.

It does not, but I did add that option, ITR sells it as a kit pump and switch.

Just need to add a 90 degree hose and 2 clamps, wiring is already there, plug and play.

You do have to solder the switch to the board though which is very easy.

Works like a charm, I don't winterize my coach because I never know if I want to take off during the winter.

My furnace runs to keep the coach at 45 degrees.

If it's cold out and I am going to start my coach I flip the switch, wait 20 minutes or so and she fires up Happy.

Ted.

[Rd1]

fyi, unless the specs have changed, I believe each AC element provides about 10k BTU and the burner 50k BTU. So you can gauge what combination you need to use based on the temps, to get sufficient heat or hot water.

[R.Wold]

Originally Posted by Vickie 4369

It does not, but I did add that option, ITR sells it as a kit pump and switch.

Just need to add a 90 degree hose and 2 clamps, wiring is already there, plug and play.

You do have to solder the switch to the board though which is very easy.

Works like a charm, I don't winterize my coach because I never know if I want to take off during the winter.

My furnace runs to keep the coach at 45 degrees.

If it's cold out and I am going to start my coach I flip the switch, wait 20 minutes or so and she fires up Happy.

Ted.

Ted, do yo have a link or part numbers? Having trouble finding this kit. Guess any suitable 12v pump would do but the kit would be nice. Thanks

[teamnash-rv]

Originally Posted by R.Wold

Ted, do yo have a link or part numbers? Having trouble finding this kit. Guess any suitable 12v pump would do but the kit would be nice. Thanks

Here's a video describing installation. Looking at the video it takes someone with nimble hands to install. I also searched but could not find part numbers. Please share if you find.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rSA6T8NsMA