Atwood GCH10A3e Motoraid Water Heater 2000 Journey 34B

[Autotomk]

Gooooood evening all
I have a 2000 journey 34b. The atwood water heater has the engine heater option "H" . I understand the engine will heat the water tank when running, but I was wondering if anyone has experience with the water heater working in reverse. To heat the engine coolant. When engine is not running. A great feature if it worked that way. Pre heat engine for cold starts.

 

[wahoonc]

Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. There are units that do. You may have an electric engine heater. My 2014 Meridian 34B does. It plugs in in the electrical compartment and is controlled by a switch in the panel inside.

Aaron

 

[Autotomk]

Atwood

Thanks for reply arron. My duramax block heater will convection??? heat collant to the point the upper radiator hose is warm, we'll not cold to the touch may be better description. Some time the snow melts off the hood also. It does have oil pan and trans. Pan heating pad also. A lot of pre heat under there. But that was where the question came from. Convection. Anyway thanks again.

 

[wahoonc]

Thanks for reply arron. My duramax block heater will convection??? heat collant to the point the upper radiator hose is warm, we'll not cold to the touch may be better description. Some time the snow melts off the hood also. It does have oil pan and trans. Pan heating pad also. A lot of pre heat under there. But that was where the question came from. Convection. Anyway thanks again.

The Winnebago system uses a much smaller hose, I suppose it "might" provide some convection, however, I doubt it would be enough to make a noticeable difference.

I avoid cold weather, so hopefully I never have to find out how well the engine heater works.

Aaron

 

[Morich]

I think the problem will be in the idea of convection moving water for that distance.
When using the engine heat to warm the water heater, the fluid is pushed by the engine water pump to the back and return.
When thinking of the water heater moving water to the engine, there is no pump and only convection over what is normally a very long distance. It "might" eventually get some level of heating but on a cold day the loss to outside air is more than I think will ever make it worthwhile.

 

[Bobn1957]

Gooooood evening all
I have a 2000 journey 34b. The atwood water heater has the engine heater option "H" . I understand the engine will heat the water tank when running, but I was wondering if anyone has experience with the water heater working in reverse. To heat the engine coolant. When engine is not running. A great feature if it worked that way. Pre heat engine for cold starts.

The problem is that a pump would be required to circulate the water, it's doable with a bit of modification.

 

[DancinCampers]

Amazon has some 12V auto coolant pumps. You may also be able to find a 120v coolant water heater with a pump. Amazon has one but it looks like 220v, but specs says 110/220v.