airtronic + hydrotronic combo??

Gatorbait · 07-09-2015, 04:51 PM

So I've seen the all-in-one systems that go for 3k+ but has anyone set up both separately? I can find both systems for under 2k which would save me enough money to even get someone else to install it.

Some questions I have are, I have an RB, how many BTU's are needed to keep it warm in the snow?
I found a airtronic d2 and hydro d5 combo for fairly cheap, would both of those satisfy my needs? I'll be alone so water consumption is pretty low.

One of my main curiosities is the fuel pickup. I believe there's only one aux valve on the tank, with two devices requiring fuel, can I t tap it off of that one aux port? I've read that the pickup line is a bit too big anyway.

I've read a lot but the more I read the more confused I get. I'm just looking to stay warm in the mountains during winter and hope for hot water as close to on demand as possible, the cheapest way possible. Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated. Am I on the right track?

rockbender · 07-09-2015, 05:04 PM

A D2 will keep you toasty in your RB, especially without a top. When I installed my D2 I simply T'd into the fuel line. Granted, this was an IDI and not a PSD so the setups and fuel line sizes could be different. I know it is recommended to have a separate suction line, but I had no problems with mine.

What is your primary use for the Hydronic? Primarily for a block heater, or for hot water? There are likely some cheaper ways to get hot water if your use is minimal.

Gatorbait · 07-09-2015, 05:38 PM

Well I have an epic ski pass which gives me access to a bunch of mountains in the CO/UT area. So I'm going to boondock in the parking lots and just go a week here, a week there kind of thing. So primarily for water. I've never lived in a cold climate so I'm not too familiar with needing to heat the block.

I understand the concept of block heaters and what cold does to batteries and what not, I've just never actually had to deal with it. It does have a cord to the block heater, but I'm not sure if there will be places to plug in at in the parking lots. How common is it for stuff to get affected by the cold weather? Is not being able to start commonplace?

Would the house batteries put out enough that I could plug in to the inverter to heat the block? I'm trying to find out all this stuff before hand because once I'm on the road, that's gonna be pretty much it. lol My time frame to build my van is very short so I need to ensure I have all the right parts at my parents house waiting for me to install once I get back stateside.

So the basic D2, is a lock. I'll start looking around for a good price. I'm going to just buy the high altitude kit one time so I don't have that cash hit while on the trip. Is that something that has to be installed at high alt, but taken out at low alts? Or can I install it now and use it at sea level? Any other accessories that you might foresee me needing?

Zeta · 07-09-2015, 06:09 PM

I have both. I use the Hydronic to make/maintain hot water for showers and for engine heating when cold. Plan on it running at least 1 hour for it to warm the engine though. I ran mine for 20 min once and it fooled the engine computer into thinking the engine was warm when it was almost completely cold and wouldn't start on a 25F morning!

I've been buying from this guy for years: http://www.lubricationspecialist.com/espar-page-2/ Excellent service.

This is the best altitude compensator
http://www.lubricationspecialist.com/ti ... de-sensor/ , the two pump thing is kinda goofy and guarantees the mixture will never be correct, where this one controls a single pump to compensate for altitude. Fired mine at 13k' once just to see if it would run--did.

Z

Zeta · 07-09-2015, 06:14 PM

I had fuel pickup issues using whatever Sportsmobile did to supply diesel to the heaters. Plus they would be even more unreliable when the tank was 1/4, or less, full. I went with one of these to feed the heaters: http://www.fassride.com/detail/accessor ... l-only.php

Works well.

Z

**daveb** · 07-10-2015, 07:54 PM

I had the lines ran through the block itself and added a aux pump. No more what Zeta is going through as far as only water warming the heater core and ending up with a cold block. The pump pulls about 4 amps so I rarely use it but it does speed the warming of the engine now when I need it. The pump does also allow the use of the flat plate w/o having to use the hydronic itself provided the engine is hot. The Hydronic still works as it did before I added the pump if it's in the off setting.

I have a D-4 Airtronic and it's almost overkill but I can ramp it down so it's not too loud and still keep the van warm. In 10* temps I can keep it nice even with the top up.

I don't know anything about the D-5 system.