What is this floor register for on my 37f?

Sun88 · 08-30-2021, 09:10 AM

On my 2013 37F behind the passenger seat are 2 floor ducts (see photo). One blows hot air when the furnace runs, the other is a hole that goes straight into the right front basement storage compartment!? What is this for? I am thinking of blocking it off for the winter as it is a hole to an un-heated compartment... Am I missing something?

Morich · 08-30-2021, 12:38 PM

Is that an adventurer 37F? Assuming it is, is this a second owner unit, so that a second vent may have been added to allow heat to flow to the compartment for some reason? I do not see it as part of the original plans.

**creativepart** · 08-30-2021, 12:48 PM

It's a vent straight through to your lower compartment - it lets conditioned (heated) air flow into that forward compartment.

I'm not exactly sure why it's there. But that's all I can figure out.

I have it on my Adventurer 37F, too. So, it was installed at the factory by Winnebago.

Mtn Charlie · 08-30-2021, 01:50 PM

It is a fresh air source, so that when you run an exhaust fan with the windows closed you don't try to suck holding tank gasses up thru a P-trap. I also own a 37F.

**creativepart** · 08-30-2021, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mtn Charlie

It is a fresh air source, so that when you run an exhaust fan with the windows closed you don't try to suck holding tank gasses up thru a P-trap. I also own a 37F.

Thank you for that! I've always wondered and just assumed it was for heating compartments. But I always thought, "hot air rises" so how could that be?

Thanks again.

tderonne · 08-30-2021, 09:01 PM

It supplies return air when you run the coach aux (Motoraid) heater.

Sun88 · 08-31-2021, 06:01 AM

Thanks guys. Apparently it does have a purpose, so I won't block it off. Whether it is return air for the motor-aid heat, or a vent to avoid sucking up sewer gases, it needs to stay!

**macnut** · 08-31-2021, 08:00 PM

It also lets me know at night if I’ve left the compartment light on! Haha.

Ray,IN · 09-02-2021, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tderonne

It supplies return air when you run the coach aux (Motoraid) heater.

Nope; motoraid is Winnebago's term for heating by using engine coolant lines. They used an Atwood 10G water heater with tubing coils on the back that used engine coolant to heat the water while driving. They also installed a small heater coil with fan in the bedroom using engine coolant.

**macnut** · 09-03-2021, 06:35 PM

On my coach it just serves as an opening to the basement to help with heating the area. There is no direct connection to the heating ducts, just an opening to the basement…which is why I know if I left the lights on.

CharlesMoore · 09-05-2021, 05:23 PM

I think Ray,IN is correct. I recently replaced my Atwood 10G with the new Dometic (Atwood). Indeed, the engine coolant does circulate through the new Dometic as did the old Atwood. It does heat the water via the engine. However, I can conceptually think that it might serially feed an aft heater as well. This is a mystery that must be conclusively solved. Where is Jim_Hitek when you need him chiming in?

khogle2 · 09-05-2021, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macnut

On my coach it just serves as an opening to the basement to help with heating the area. There is no direct connection to the heating ducts, just an opening to the basement…which is why I know if I left the lights on.

This is correct ^.

I put a magnetic cover on mine.

lwerman · 09-05-2021, 10:46 PM

There is a dash switch to activate Aux Engine Heating. I don't remember the exact name on it. If you look into the front basement door on the passenger side, you will see a large radiator with a protective frame. Activating the switch allows engine coolant to go through that radiator thereby heating the entire basement compartment. The heat will then flow up into the coach through the vents. Works well when you need extra heat during a cold driving session.

Adven2011w24 · 09-06-2021, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwerman

There is a dash switch to activate Aux Engine Heating. I don't remember the exact name on it. If you look into the front basement door on the passenger side, you will see a large radiator with a protective frame. Activating the switch allows engine coolant to go through that radiator thereby heating the entire basement compartment. The heat will then flow up into the coach through the vents. Works well when you need extra heat during a cold driving session.

This is correct, it is the inlet air supply for the auxiliary coach heater that can be turned on from the drivers seat.
Bill

**creativepart** · 09-06-2021, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwerman

There is a dash switch to activate Aux Engine Heating. I don't remember the exact name on it.

On my Adventurer this is switch is labeled “Coach Heat”. We have used it a couple of times and it works well.

NeilV · 09-07-2021, 08:01 PM

There is often a second one in the wall in the hallway, inside a closet or under/behind the bathroom vanity. Some are to assist in heating the basement, get warm air circulating under the shower pan or prevent high levels of negative pressure to develop inside the coach. Air does have to circulate in those spaces for everything to work.