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06-16-2015, 03:49 PM
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#1
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 14
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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? 
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1996 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 35WQ-P
5.9 6bt 12 valve MD3060/6
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06-16-2015, 03:59 PM
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#2
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Spokane Valley, Wa
Posts: 82
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I agree it is for the block heater and there should be a switch near the
drivers seat that turns it on.
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Art
1999 Trade Winds 7371 Cat 3126B w/current upgrades
1990 D 250 Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo
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06-16-2015, 08:07 PM
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#3
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 14
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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.
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1996 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 35WQ-P
5.9 6bt 12 valve MD3060/6
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06-16-2015, 08:18 PM
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#4
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Spokane Valley, Wa
Posts: 82
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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.
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Art
1999 Trade Winds 7371 Cat 3126B w/current upgrades
1990 D 250 Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo
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06-16-2015, 08:26 PM
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#5
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Spokane Valley, Wa
Posts: 82
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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.
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Art
1999 Trade Winds 7371 Cat 3126B w/current upgrades
1990 D 250 Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo
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06-16-2015, 08:43 PM
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#6
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 449
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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.
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2010 Winnebago Journey Express 34Y
2010 Freightliner XCS (mfd 9/'09)
'07 Saturn Vue V6
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06-16-2015, 08:56 PM
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#7
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChasA
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.
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Now that you say that it makes sense. I will investigate in the AM.
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1996 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 35WQ-P
5.9 6bt 12 valve MD3060/6
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06-16-2015, 08:57 PM
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#8
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wb7auk
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.
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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.
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1996 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 35WQ-P
5.9 6bt 12 valve MD3060/6
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06-16-2015, 09:05 PM
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#9
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Conway, SC
Posts: 166
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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
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2002 Winnebago Ultimate Advantage 40J, Roadmaster InvisiBrake Model 8700
2012 Chevy Captiva
NEVER FORGET
"Everyone Goes Home"
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06-16-2015, 09:10 PM
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#10
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Deep in the Heart of Texas
Posts: 7
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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.
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2000 DSDP, 3894,Freightliner,330 Cat, 07 Jeep Commander 4x4toad.
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06-16-2015, 09:21 PM
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#11
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 629
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Some coach's may just have the cord with plug that you plug in and no switch.
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06-16-2015, 09:51 PM
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#12
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Skiatook, OK
Posts: 1,470
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Vectraguy, from the electrical drawing set for your coach.
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Grant & Pat
2014 Adventurer 35P 
2021 Rapid Red 4dr Bronco OBX
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06-17-2015, 07:09 PM
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#13
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grtharris
Vectraguy, from the electrical drawing set for your coach.
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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..
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1996 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 35WQ-P
5.9 6bt 12 valve MD3060/6
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06-17-2015, 07:35 PM
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#14
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 14
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Well, it looks like the line runs through that outlet and then onto the bedroom outlets.
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1996 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 35WQ-P
5.9 6bt 12 valve MD3060/6
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06-17-2015, 07:42 PM
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#15
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 14
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Just for the next guy that is researching a 96 35wq-p (The Vectra clearly has some similar looking floor plans)
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1996 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 35WQ-P
5.9 6bt 12 valve MD3060/6
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06-17-2015, 08:38 PM
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#16
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Skiatook, OK
Posts: 1,470
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Vectraguy, sorry looks like I clicked on the 1997 drawings. The 110VAC drawing shows the recpt without a inline switch.
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Grant & Pat
2014 Adventurer 35P
2021 Rapid Red 4dr Bronco OBX
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06-19-2015, 01:43 AM
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#17
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 7
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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!
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Ken & Jeannie
96 Vectra Grand Tour 35' DP
Jacey (terri-poo, waiting at the rainbow bridge), Jack (silky terrier), Hannah (poodle)
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06-19-2015, 02:01 AM
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#18
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: anywhere U.S.A, Currently back home in Thailand!
Posts: 5
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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! 
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Retired, and "Always on Holiday!"
1996 Monaco Windsor 38PB, "Mona" 275 HP., 8.3 Cummins, 3060 Allison 6 speed
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06-19-2015, 05:00 AM
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#19
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Western WI
Posts: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vectraguy
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.
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The block heater switch for our Itasca Horizon, is above the washer/dryer cabinet behind door that two other cubie holes are in.
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2001 Itasca Horizon 36LD Cat
Retired Air Force, One lovely Angel  , 2 Cats and three birds.
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