Guido & Becky's 2015 Winnebago ERA 70C

[Nmtrue]

Originally Posted by GuidoLyons

JWW and Texas Sprinter if you have your 70C nearby, could you pull the back cover and take a picture of the routing on the exhaust tubing from the Alde to the exhaust vent? I'd like to compare how yours is routed.

The official diagnosis was that the exhaust vent tubing was improperly routed, which allowed water to enter the combustion chamber. So, not a winterization problem, but an exhaust problem.

After a call direct to Winnebago and more gnashing of teeth, the Alde unit was replaced. Now, my one obstacle wonder service techs are waiting on the proper antifreeze/coolant/glycol to refill the hydonicsystem you'd think that would be something they would have considered several months ago when they began the repair.

I stopped by Ron Hoover on Friday, hoping we would be on the home stretch of getting everything wrapped up.

Nope.

So, to add some helpful tech, here is some information about the Alde antifreeze requirments:

BTW if you need some it's G12++ or G13 specification common in VW/Audi/Porsche/Mercedes Pentofrost E is a G13 spec antifreeze that is available at O'reilly Auto Parts probably other autoparts stores, too, but I know O'Reilly has it. 1.5L and 5L sizes

http://www.pentosin.net/specsheets/Pentofrost_E.pdf

Attachment 139282

I'm new here got my 2016 70C in Sept. Been searching for a forum of 70C'ers hopefully I can join your thread. I'm currently using my RV full time during the week for a contract job that is 2 hours from my house. It's getting cold in VA and when it goes below 32 I can't get my rig up above 65 no matter what I try. It's in the shop now getting heated tank pads installed and the tech says it's fine - no issues. Of course he tested it on a 60 degree day. Any help or advice would be much appreciated. Can you get your 70Cs up above 72 in the winter? Any other winter living advice? I have to shower in the rig so can't drain it. Thanks again.

[GuidoLyons]

I live in South Texas, so no real cold weather for us. Last month we went to Goose Island State Park, coldest was only low 50's, but we did use the Alde heat and it worked fine, it does take awhile to warm up since it relies on convection and there is no forced air.

The 70C is not really set up for freezing temps, all the water tanks (fresh/grey/black) and most of the water lines are exposed under the coach. Make sure they insulate and run heat tape on the water lines, too not just the tanks.

If you need some quick heat, the Mr. Buddy is a popular choice. Runs on 1lb propane cylinders, or you can get a hose to run off the main propane tank.

[GuidoLyons]

The under storage on the 70C for the stinky slinky leaves a bit to be desired. There was barely enough room for the tiny 10' hose that came with the coach, and I had to cut a few feet off off of my Camco Rhinoflex sewer hose in order for it to fit in the tiny storage. One day while checking things out under the coach, I noticed there was some room for improvement.

Literally.

I noticed a .50 cal ammo can was almost the perfect size to expand the storage. Initially, I was just going to add the ammo can.


Then I noticed there was more room above, so I fabricated a box to fit. I was going to spot weld, but then realized I would need to disassemble the majority of the plumbing/water fill area, so opted for some urethane adhesive and pop rivets.

[GuidoLyons]

I gained almost a cubic foot of storage and now I have room for a longer hose, some disposable gloves and what ever else I find to cram in there.

[wanderso]

Great fabrication job!

[jww]

Great Job Guido !

[dancefloor]

Just bought a 70C and am trying to assemble a package of PDF manuals. I have been successful for the most part, but the stove/sink has me beat. I have identified it as a Dometic MO9523RSUS, but can't find anything (much less manuals) on the Dometic site. Any ideas as to what I am missing?

[GuidoLyons]

Originally Posted by dancefloor

Just bought a 70C and am trying to assemble a package of PDF manuals. I have been successful for the most part, but the stove/sink has me beat. I have identified it as a Dometic MO9523RSUS, but can't find anything (much less manuals) on the Dometic site. Any ideas as to what I am missing?

I Found some manuals/electrical and plumbing diagrams in the Winnebago forum http://www.irv2.com/forums/f101/winn...ogs-19250.html

You might be able to find it digging around the Winnebago site Service Parts List input your coach information for the build data.

My dealer gave me a rather large bag full of manuals, but I agree it would be nice to have a .pdf version, too.

[GuidoLyons]

Took a little Valentine's Day trip, from Corpus up to Bellville, TX to see Newman's Castle Newman's CastleÂ*|Â*Medieval treats and good eats! then over to Palmetto State Park (Gonzalez TX), then a stop off at the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner TX, before heading back home.

Newman's CastleÂ*|Â*Medieval treats and good eats!
Call ahead to reserve a tour Newman's CastleÂ*|Â* Tours





Mr. Newman is a really nice man, extremely talented and creative, he built the castle basically by himself.





Hmmm Beeer.

[GuidoLyons]

Found a perfect spot for the paper towel roll. I added paper towel holder under the sink. It came with 1" screws, I used some 3/4" screws so it would not drive into the underside of the counter top.

[jww]

First of all, a huge "Thank You" to Guido for his previous posts regarding his issues with the Alde Unit !
We spent last week in Missouri, and it rained 4" Thursday and Friday. Surprisingly, it is the first time our 70C has been exposed to heavy rains.
The unit was level, and after about 2"'s of rainfall the Alde control panel display a "Fuel Failure" warning. Reset the unit and the it displayed "Fan Failure". Turned the unit off (was on Propane as we did not have electric available).
Remembered Guido's experience, so upon arriving home I removed the intake/exhaust duct from the Alde. An accurate guess would be 2-3 gallons of water ran out of the unit. I dried the unit with an electric heat gun for a few minutes and hooked the ducting back to the unit. I was very happy when the unit fired back up !!! Ran it for about 6 hours to dry everything out.
Moral of the story.........if you own a 70C and have not made the duct modification as detailed by Guido previously in this thread, Do so!!!
I have new ducting ordered and will install later this week. A "high" point is need to keep rain water from flooding the unit.
Luckily, I think I addressed the issue quick enough that no corrosion built up in the combustion chamber.
Amazing how much rain water can go into the intake/exhaust !!!
I am also working on fabricating a shroud/deflector to attach to the flange of the intake/exhaust on the side of the van. Can't hurt!

[dancefloor]

Do you think that a shroud without the duct changes would be enough to protect the system?

[GuidoLyons]

JWW, I'm glad that my sharing my misfortune saved you some agony.

Originally Posted by dancefloor

Do you think that a shroud without the duct changes would be enough to protect the system?

Looking at the Alde exhaust port it has a bit of a baffle already, but the problem is, if/when water gets in, there is only one place for it to go...it drains straight into the combustion chamber.

[jww]

Just my opinion..........I think routing a "high spot" in the duct is the easiest, least expensive fix. I ordered 5' of 2" and 5' of 3" aluminum flex duct on-line for $15.00 shipping included. Should only take about 4' of each. Should arrive today.
Nevertheless, I, along with the help of a friend, have fabricated an aluminum shield which attaches to the exterior exhaust/intake flange utilizing existing screws. Will install it next week and will forward pictures to Guido to post as I am computer illiterate.
I want to make every effort I can to keep water out of the Alde combustion chamber. Not a good feeling to see water pouring out of it, and wondering if it will ever work again.
I think the Alde is a good unit for our application. Just a poor install by Winnebago.