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Old 11-14-2019, 07:28 AM   #1
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Cat C9 engine pre heater on Revolution LE

Hello Friends.

We have a new to us 2006 Fleetwood Revolution LE 40R DP with pre emissions Cat C9 400hp engine. Love this coach. We just picked it up 3 weeks ago.

As over the weekend end in Michigan it dropped to single digits in temperature, I had to use the pre heater for starting. Some questions.

1. My engine pre heater or block heater is located in the master bedroom with a toggle switch on the bed frame. It light red when you toggle it on. How long do you leave it on and do you have to manually shut if off when engine starts or off prior to starting engine?

2. Would prefer to have this switch located in cab of coach and there a couple of open spaces in the dash for a switch. Has anyone re-wired a switch in the dash rather than using the one in back of the coach in the bedroom?

3. Does it mean anything if you push the toggle to the on position and the light does not come on? Is it still working or is it a case that the battery is not sufficiently charged to use the pre heater. Yesterday morning it was 8 degrees F and when I use the toggle switch, no light came on and when starting I had to use the Aux battery switch to assist in cranking the engine. It started but sure did not want to.

Thank you in advance for answers and advise. BTW I am not a stranger to diesels or Cats. I drove truck for years and just dropped my CDLA 10 years ago as I didn't think I needed it after turning 67. We always had plug in block heaters that ran off 110 we used but on my Dozer, Bobcat, Oliver Tractor and JD tractor all have pre heaters that you manually use to start a cold engine.
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Old 11-14-2019, 07:35 AM   #2
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I believe your block heater is 110vac, batteries are not part of the equation. You need to be plugged in or running the genset. I switch mine on at bedtime and off right before I start. Some say it only takes about 4 hours to heat up but I'm not getting up at 2am to turn on the block heater.
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Old 11-14-2019, 07:47 AM   #3
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Cat pre heat

Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyMac View Post
I believe your block heater is 110vac, batteries are not part of the equation. You need to be plugged in or running the genset. I switch mine on at bedtime and off right before I start. Some say it only takes about 4 hours to heat up but I'm not getting up at 2am to turn on the block heater.
Interesting TonyMac. The manual does not cover this at all and I know it can vary with each chassis and engine configuration. Makes sense that you would turn this on and leave on hours prior to use rather than a "GlowPlug" operation that I am use to with my Ag equipment. In those cases, you hold on the Glow Plug button for a couple of minutes and it usually takes off pretty. On others, I have a block heater and glow plug both.

Thank you
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Old 11-14-2019, 08:00 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyMac View Post
I believe your block heater is 110vac, batteries are not part of the equation. You need to be plugged in or running the genset. I switch mine on at bedtime and off right before I start. Some say it only takes about 4 hours to heat up but I'm not getting up at 2am to turn on the block heater.
TonyMac is correct on how it operates only with either shore or genny power.

I have 03 Rev and, depending on outside temperature, it'll warm the coolant into the low 100's in about an hour or so. Usually will flip it on when we get up for our coffee and turn it off when we get ready to start the engine.

My switch is also located in the rear and under the bed. Hasn't been a big deal to flip the switch.

Dave
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Old 11-14-2019, 09:30 AM   #5
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Engine pre heater

Thank you Dave and TonyMac.

This makes total sense and you are correct, not a big deal to go to the bedroom and turn on the night before or a few hours before starting for that matter.

Also makes sense why it did not light up with I had shore power unplugged in preparation for moving coach.

Flipped it on a while ago and will test it out a few hours from now.

Thank you both again.
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Old 11-19-2019, 07:46 PM   #6
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If light doesn’t come on check breaker. I’ll turn mine on several hours depending how cold before starting then turn off before starting.
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Old 11-20-2019, 04:18 AM   #7
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Quote:
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If light doesn’t come on check breaker. I’ll turn mine on several hours depending how cold before starting then turn off before starting.
Thank you Rooster. After the great comments I found that there was a plug in the electric compartment that says pre heater. There was a power cord wrapped up in plastic that when I uncovered and plugged in, worked like a champ. Plugged it in and turned on the switch in the bedroom for engine preheated and in a few hours the old cst started right up without hesitation. This coach came from Arizona and owner never used it.

Thank you.
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