Community Forums

Gatesway · 12-01-2024, 05:57 AM

I have an appointment tomorrow morning to get new carpeting installed. It is supposed to be 25 degrees outside. I need to move the coach out from the covered storage to open the slide for the carpet installation.

What steps should I take before starting the engine?

I was going to start the generator so I could turn on the block heater. How long should I let the block heater warm the engine? Overnight tonight?

Besides that, what else?

Thanks!

DarkSideJeep · 12-01-2024, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gatesway

I have an appointment tomorrow morning to get new carpeting installed. It is supposed to be 25 degrees outside. I need to move the coach out from the covered storage to open the slide for the carpet installation.

What steps should I take before starting the engine?

I was going to start the generator so I could turn on the block heater. How long should I let the block heater warm the engine? Overnight tonight?

Besides that, what else?

Thanks!

I assume you have a 120v outlet nearby that you use the keep the coach batteries charged up. I would plug in directly to the block heater the night before. Although 25f is not all that cold, for us northern boy's, assuming your batteries are in good shape it might just start right up.

Gatesway · 12-01-2024, 07:39 AM

Thanks for the reply!

Yes, I leave the coach plugged into a 15a GFCI at the storage yard we are at. I can't run any amperage over that...so to run the block heater overnight, I'd have to start and run the generator all night.

Thoughts?

d23haynes57 · 12-01-2024, 08:01 AM

What engine and what does it have for cold start assistance? It should be to get going on its own. After the carpet job if possible, take it out for drive to get it fully warmed up and get everything lubricated. My 04 Cat C7 reliably started in temps down to 5F. Needed about 13 miles highway drive to get it up to temperature.

Gatesway · 12-01-2024, 08:16 AM

It is a 370 Cummins. It has a block heater and also there is an engine loop originally installed for my hurricane diesel boiler. However, that loop was terminated by my previous owner and since most of our usage is in the summer, I have not found it necessary to hook it back up.

Thank you for your reply to my post!

DarkSideJeep · 12-01-2024, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gatesway

Thanks for the reply!

Yes, I leave the coach plugged into a 15a GFCI at the storage yard we are at. I can't run any amperage over that...so to run the block heater overnight, I'd have to start and run the generator all night.

Thoughts?

What wattage is your block heater? the one in my coach is 1000 watt. It draws about 8 amps I would just plug your power cord directly to the Block heater. Doing that overnight should not be a problem as long as your batteries are in good shape.

d23haynes57 · 12-01-2024, 08:22 AM

Does it have an intake manifold preheater or glow plugs? When you turn on the ignition, is there a "wait to start" delay? That would indicate some cold start assistance.

SafariBen · 12-01-2024, 08:35 AM

15a is plenty as long as nothing else is plugged in. a half hour really helps, and hour is 90% of the max temp, over a few hours is not getting any warmer at that point. If you need to run the generator, I'd try the engine on it's own first, wait until the light goes out if you have a wait to start light. Should start down to 0, with good batteries, starter and fuel. If it cranks slow, that doesn't mean it won't crank fine in the summer.

chuckftboy · 12-01-2024, 06:15 PM

Don't need the block heater over night. 2 hours is plenty at 25 degrees.

walkers · 12-01-2024, 06:23 PM

We have a 2003 Intrigue First Avenue with a Cummins 400 ISL engine.

I have started it many times when the temperature was below freezing and several times when the temperature was below zero.

I have never used the block heater.

I doubt that diesel would gel at 25 degrees, so I think you should be good to go.

I would follow the normal starting procedure and then let the engine warm up thoroughly before driving it anywhere, even a fairly short distance.

If your slide is in good operating condition and there is no ice buildup anywhere, it should be fine to deploy it at 25 degrees. If you are concerned about it, you could warm up the coach interior before deploying the slide.

Good luck and let us know how it works out!

Steve

Old-Biscuit · 12-01-2024, 06:35 PM

Cummins engine........grid heaters/warm incoming air for cold weather

Squiggly line on dash (wait to start) when you turn ignition key to on
Squiggly line goes off.....start engine

Fredward · 12-05-2024, 07:27 PM

This is a Minnesota guy talking. If you have a block heater, turn it on. It will make the engine start easier. It’s easier on everything. If you have AC power just turn the block heater on overnight. Running the generator is fine too that’s what they are designed to do. Won’t hurt anything. Two hours won’t make much difference. Four hours will. Overnight is great. The block heater won’t overheat.
Fred

Gatesway · 12-09-2024, 06:09 AM

Thank you all for your replies!

I waited until the afternoon when the temps were close to 50 and it started right up. I appreciate the added info many of you gave...and now I understand better the block heater and how long to have it on.

The last time I started the coach in 20 degree weather the ECM went bad. Not sure if it was the cold or the fact that the part was 20 years old. But, that was a super big pain to have it towed and fixed.

Again, thanks!