Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-16-2015, 02:49 PM   #1
Winnebago Camper
 
Vectraguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 14
What is this basement outlet for?

In my 96 Vectra with a freightliner chassis and a cummins 5.9 I have an outlet in the rear compartment on the road side that has a cord plugged in and it all looks very factory. What is i? Could this be a block heater? If so what turns it on? Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByiRV2 - RV Forum1434487679.048570.jpg
Views:	222
Size:	95.2 KB
ID:	97438
__________________
1996 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 35WQ-P
5.9 6bt 12 valve MD3060/6
Vectraguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2015, 02:59 PM   #2
Winnebago Owner
 
wb7auk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Spokane Valley, Wa
Posts: 82
I agree it is for the block heater and there should be a switch near the
drivers seat that turns it on.
__________________
Art
1999 Trade Winds 7371 Cat 3126B w/current upgrades
1990 D 250 Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo
wb7auk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2015, 07:07 PM   #3
Winnebago Camper
 
Vectraguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 14
If it is a block heater I cannot find any type of switch for it. It seems like it would be a bit more obvious and be located in a compartment somewhere, the coach really needs to be plugged in for it to work. I just dont want to be pulling more current than I need.
__________________
1996 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 35WQ-P
5.9 6bt 12 valve MD3060/6
Vectraguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2015, 07:18 PM   #4
Winnebago Owner
 
wb7auk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Spokane Valley, Wa
Posts: 82
Everyone I have worked on has a switch near the drivers seat to turn it on or off.
It is used during cold weather to preheat the engine before starting when connected
to shore power.
Most of these engine heaters are 700 to 800 watt elements not much more than
small water heaters.
If you have a owners manual check to see it they indicate where the switch is located at.
__________________
Art
1999 Trade Winds 7371 Cat 3126B w/current upgrades
1990 D 250 Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo
wb7auk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2015, 07:26 PM   #5
Winnebago Owner
 
wb7auk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Spokane Valley, Wa
Posts: 82
In thinking about it I did see where the switch was located in the back room of the
motor home on some units, you might check there.
__________________
Art
1999 Trade Winds 7371 Cat 3126B w/current upgrades
1990 D 250 Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo
wb7auk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2015, 07:43 PM   #6
Winnie-Wise
 
ChasA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 449
It definitely is for the block heater. The switch for mine is on the One Place panel. It looks like a regular 110 volt AC light switch like a wall switch in a house.
Oops. I just had another thought. It may be for your converter. My converter is in the same compartment and is plugged into a similar outlet. In my coach, they are labeled.
__________________
2010 Winnebago Journey Express 34Y
2010 Freightliner XCS (mfd 9/'09)
'07 Saturn Vue V6
ChasA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2015, 07:56 PM   #7
Winnebago Camper
 
Vectraguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChasA View Post
It definitely is for the block heater. The switch for mine is on the One Place panel. It looks like a regular 110 volt AC light switch like a wall switch in a house.
Oops. I just had another thought. It may be for your converter. My converter is in the same compartment and is plugged into a similar outlet. In my coach, they are labeled.

Now that you say that it makes sense. I will investigate in the AM.
__________________
1996 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 35WQ-P
5.9 6bt 12 valve MD3060/6
Vectraguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2015, 07:57 PM   #8
Winnebago Camper
 
Vectraguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by wb7auk View Post
Everyone I have worked on has a switch near the drivers seat to turn it on or off.
It is used during cold weather to preheat the engine before starting when connected
to shore power.
Most of these engine heaters are 700 to 800 watt elements not much more than
small water heaters.
If you have a owners manual check to see it they indicate where the switch is located at.
I have a heated mirror switch near the mirror controls, but every dash switch is accounted for with a label. I will look again in the morning.
__________________
1996 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 35WQ-P
5.9 6bt 12 valve MD3060/6
Vectraguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2015, 08:05 PM   #9
Winnebago Owner
 
depchief's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Conway, SC
Posts: 166
in my noted coach there is a switch in the bedroom by the electrical panel to activate the heater. It is a standard toggle switch
__________________
2002 Winnebago Ultimate Advantage 40J, Roadmaster InvisiBrake Model 8700
2012 Chevy Captiva
NEVER FORGET
"Everyone Goes Home"
depchief is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2015, 08:10 PM   #10
Winnebago Camper
 
ARTWERKE's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Deep in the Heart of Texas
Posts: 7
In my Dutch Star, I have 2 outlets in my power bay, 1 for the block heater & 1 for the charger. Then there's the outlets in the 2nd passenger side bay for the freezer & outside TV.
__________________
2000 DSDP, 3894,Freightliner,330 Cat, 07 Jeep Commander 4x4toad.
ARTWERKE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2015, 08:21 PM   #11
Winnebago Master
 
"007"'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 629
Some coach's may just have the cord with plug that you plug in and no switch.
__________________
98KSCA, 99MACA, 03 KSCA-3740- 8.1 Chev-- ALLISON Trans, now in good hands
VISIT the NEWMAR QUICK TIPS & EASYMODS 1 & 2
QUICK TIPS # 3
RV SYSTEMS & APPLIANCES & RECALLS --- TECH INFORMATION
"007" is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2015, 08:51 PM   #12
Winnebago Master
 
grtharris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Skiatook, OK
Posts: 1,460
Vectraguy, from the electrical drawing set for your coach.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	block heater.jpg
Views:	175
Size:	151.8 KB
ID:	97516  
__________________
Grant & Pat
2014 Adventurer 35P
2021 Rapid Red 4dr Bronco OBX
grtharris is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2015, 06:09 PM   #13
Winnebago Camper
 
Vectraguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by grtharris View Post
Vectraguy, from the electrical drawing set for your coach.
Thanks for the diagram grtharris.
I have the plug in, and the TV in the corner (a small LCD is in that box now) but no switch. I removed the picture that hangs on the wall for tub valve service and I can see inside if the wall and the only AC line is for that TV. I also removed a kick panel thats down by the floor that lets you see the tub drain and a low point drain, but no other AC wire. I looked at the night stands, removed drawers and looked under the bed around the engine cover....nuthin.



Well, in reading 96vectra.pdf it seems I am to unplug the heater when not in use....that explains why I can draw 20 amps when only one AC circuit is powered up when I select "30 amp shore power" from the switch above the microwave..
__________________
1996 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 35WQ-P
5.9 6bt 12 valve MD3060/6
Vectraguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2015, 06:35 PM   #14
Winnebago Camper
 
Vectraguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 14
Well, it looks like the line runs through that outlet and then onto the bedroom outlets.

__________________
1996 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 35WQ-P
5.9 6bt 12 valve MD3060/6
Vectraguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2015, 06:42 PM   #15
Winnebago Camper
 
Vectraguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 14
Just for the next guy that is researching a 96 35wq-p (The Vectra clearly has some similar looking floor plans)


__________________
1996 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 35WQ-P
5.9 6bt 12 valve MD3060/6
Vectraguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2015, 07:38 PM   #16
Winnebago Master
 
grtharris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Skiatook, OK
Posts: 1,460
Vectraguy, sorry looks like I clicked on the 1997 drawings. The 110VAC drawing shows the recpt without a inline switch.
__________________
Grant & Pat
2014 Adventurer 35P
2021 Rapid Red 4dr Bronco OBX
grtharris is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2015, 12:43 AM   #17
Winnebago Camper
 
Big Oil Guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 7
Vectraguy, your MH is identical to mine, right down to the color scheme! I had noticed the outlet for the engine heater in that rear drivers side compartment, but never gave it much thought since I live in AZ. It definitely does NOT have a switch anyplace. Just unplugging the element unless you need it seems to be how it works. Ahhhh, sweet simplicity. That's just one other thing that won't go wrong with our old units!

I hope you enjoy your Vectra as much as we have enjoyed ours. After over 7 years, we've had no major problem, and it gets 9-10 mpg while towing!
__________________
Ken & Jeannie
96 Vectra Grand Tour 35' DP
Jacey (terri-poo, waiting at the rainbow bridge), Jack (silky terrier), Hannah (poodle)
Big Oil Guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2015, 01:01 AM   #18
Winnebago Camper
 
guardrail53's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: anywhere U.S.A, Currently back home in Thailand!
Posts: 5
It is very easy to check, after the MH has not been driven for 6 hours or so, and is plugged in, reach in and feel the side of your block, just under your heads, you will see the cord leading to the side of your block. it will be hot, if your block heater is working! Then I would unplug the cord from the outlet! You only need to plug it in, when temp's drop below 30* and then only for a hour before you start. No need to leave plugged in over night unless you are doing some extreme cold weather camping! Rail!
__________________
Retired, and "Always on Holiday!"
1996 Monaco Windsor 38PB, "Mona" 275 HP., 8.3 Cummins, 3060 Allison 6 speed
guardrail53 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2015, 04:00 AM   #19
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Western WI
Posts: 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vectraguy View Post
If it is a block heater I cannot find any type of switch for it. It seems like it would be a bit more obvious and be located in a compartment somewhere, the coach really needs to be plugged in for it to work. I just dont want to be pulling more current than I need.
The block heater switch for our Itasca Horizon, is above the washer/dryer cabinet behind door that two other cubie holes are in.
__________________
2001 Itasca Horizon 36LD Cat
Retired Air Force, One lovely Angel, 2 Cats and three birds.
the_vfox is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
ELECTRICAL OUTLET/TV PROBLEM - SERVICE CENTER CAUSED emmmw Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 7 12-14-2008 06:54 AM
Adding 12 V Outlet ichn2go Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 15 08-27-2007 08:37 PM
GFCI outlet in bath? John_Canfield Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 8 12-22-2005 08:10 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:13 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.