Winter camping question

[daveb]

Originally Posted by Spenard

Okay, its a sunny -6F today in Anchorage, AK (insert picture of a loopy smilie with earmuffs, scarf and steamy breath here). We are so far, patiently waiting for spring and our new SMB West Sprinter with Espar 5 hydronic to be ready to drive out of the SMB shop and head north. I was wondering if anyone knows what the glycol freeze point is for the Espar loop liquid is suppose to be or can I specify that with SMB when they install? Don't want a freeze up mess next winter when its in an unheated garage. Yes I know i will have to drain or protect the domestic lines, but whats the F temp story on the Espar X loop? should it be drained too? Does the heater work with the loop drained?
Sorry I looked through a lot of Espar threads on this site but maybe there is a discussion I missed that some one can point me too. Thnx.

Whatever antifreeze you have in the engine. The Hydronic uses the radiator fluid...the Hydronic heats the engine also. The flat plate will transfer the radiator fluid heat into the fresh water system. It's the fresh water that must be drained or the flat plate will rupture and radiator fluid will contaminate the fresh water system.

Fuel gelling might be an issue though, and I don't know how the Espar reacts to fuel additives. I'm using the Ford cetane booster and no problems.

[Spenard]

According to SMB West MB will no longer let them interconnect the hydronic to the engine coolant system without voiding the new vehicle warranty. So that connection to the engine coolant line will happen in a couple of years. Meanwhile I guess I need to tell SMBW to blend the X fluid for -30F or something.

[daveb]

Well I've been waiting for something like that but it has its good and bad points. Maybe they can use a safer medium than something poison! At least you won't have to worry about loosing a hose and being stuck somewhere.
Too bad you can't heat the engine... I actually use the hydronic for that more than hot water.