Toe Kick Heaters

[jello_jeep]

Finding a spare moment somehow, I had breezed through some of the binders full of paperwork in the bus, and read the book for the cadet toe kick heaters.

In my case model TK-101.

I read that they should be periodically cleaned, and that you had to pull them out to do it.

I had a sneaking suspicion that this might not have ever been done in this coach so I got some TOOLS out and set to take out the one in the galley just below the kitchen sink.

I pulled the two screws from the face, but it would only come out a couple of inches, so I had to take out an access hatch that is above the heater, inside the cabinet below the sink.

Further checking showed that the wires were tied down in typical Marathon style, so I took of the cover where the electrical service connects to the heater, and unhooked it so I could completely remove the heater, and take it ouside to clean it.

When I popped the cover off, I couldn't belive it. It was filthy and FULL of dust & lint, see the attached photo.

I blew it all out and cleaned it up, I think I pissed off some of my neighbors, as there was dust flying everywhere LOL.

I put it all back together and fired it up, I noticed it was a little noisy, and wondered how much it would cost to replace, so I did a little internet searching.

Turns out there was a class action lawsuit in the late ninetys, because of the dirt they collect, and their propensity for igniting fires, via spitting out sparks & flame from ignited dust & lint.

I called cadet, and they confirmed that they had been recalled, and the owners were given a discounted price, but the program had ended long ago (of course).

The tech support chap did indeed recommend replacing the units with the new part UC101B. I found these for one hundred twenty something here.

http://www.prosupplyco.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=83

So if you happen to be the proud owner of a couple of these babies, you might want to put these on your short list of things to fix!

Good Luck

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[dalej]

Thanks Warren, good post!

[Just Plain Jeff]

Aha!

You need to have the Helen Tool of the Day. (Actually a selection of same). They are called Kelley Clamps, which are actually hemostats used in nursing/surgery. They range in size from micro-surgery size to almost a foot in length, can be straight or curved.

The Boss says they are required for any lint removal, reaching behind stuff and generally pointing them at the driver of the rig...y'know.

You can get the Pakistani versions pretty cheap at your local Harbor Freight or the expensive ones that are actually used on people for the Big Bucks. Helen, of course, has the Real Deal.

[jello_jeep]

I have lots of hemostats, and use them often, but this was a take it apart job for sure, and if you poked hemostats into the squirrel cage I think it would throw it off kilter.

But a good thought anyway. ;)



Dale, thanks... Also got your email on the shocks.. Understand! Thanks on that too.

[Joe Cannarozzi]

Jeep a couple of additional things on the toe-kicks. From your picture ours looks very similar, identical almost. We have Dayton and can be had at Granger just for another source for everyone.

Also when we first picked up the bus and started checking things luckily I noticed that the squirrel cage on one was not turning and the burning smell led me to it. We were able to free it up and lube it and get it working.

That led me to noticing that the heating elements, I think there is 5 on each, are all independent from one another cause when the squirrel cage was not turning only 3 of 5 elements were getting red. Upon on further investigation we have at least one element burned out on all of ours. One had 3 burnt and it was still putting out reasonable heat but when replaced made a HUGE improvement.

You can still check the elements with the squirrel cage working, just the ends of the working elements will be glowing red with air blowing over them and the dead ones will not. So if you have a toe-kick heater and it is working but noticeably not as good as another that is what is going on.

[jello_jeep]

Yes Joe, prolly made in china or wherever and branded as seen fit by the distributor..

I am mainly concerned with safety mainly, and it being nice and quiet too!

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Like Joe said a lot of these were WW Grainger products. I have had a total of 6 of them between both my coaches and have serviced them. J-J is correct about keeping them clean. But there are other things that also need close attention. Depending on the model, some have a safety thermostat in the top of the heater housing. If you do not know your coach's history you want to insure yourself this was not by-passed. The thermostat will not allow the heaters to function if the fan should fail or if the air flow is blocked such as by dust bunnies.

As the coach owner, when you do turn on the toe space heater listen as they work. If you hear the over temp thermostat cycling the heater you either have a bad fan, or poor air flow for smoe reason. Once that thermostat fails in the closed position you have no protection and a potential fire. These are great heaters to use to take the chill off the morning air, but only if they are working correctly. If your heaters are near a carpeted area be especially careful of the build up of dust and the greater potential for a fire.

[garyde]

Oh Gee thanks Warren. Another project to put on my list! When I cleaned my Cruisair filters I think I was the 1st one to do it as well.

[jello_jeep]

Anything for a friend! :D


Oh Gee thanks Warren. Another project to put on my list! When I cleaned my Cruisair filters I think I was the 1st one to do it as well.

[Gary & Peggy Stevens]

Last week before I took the bus up to Prevost, I removed the toe Kick heater in our bathroom area. The bearings on the squirrel cage blower seemed to be shot.

The model was a MARLEY S1100A 110V model. http://www.marleymeh.com/

I called the mfg. told him what I had and he gave me the part # I needed.

1225-2002-000 Blower Assembly $61.13

If I needed the element, which I didn't that part number is 3020 23811 for $29.13

I ordered from Carroll Appliance 800-654-3545.

Now if I can just remember where all (12) sets of the wires go correctly, when I replace the unit under the counter, I should have a nice toe-kick heater for the bathroom ? :(

Gary S.

[phorner]

"Now if I can just remember where all (12) sets of the wires go correctly...."

I try to remember to take a couple of digital pictures before I touch anything.

Although I'm sure at the time where everything goes, seems by the time the parts arrive several days to weeks later it is a challenge :eek:

An extra picture as a guide can be a great help.

[MangoMike]

A lot of the small webasto heaters in the bus have a tendency to squeak over time.

Here's a how to over at Prevoman to replace those blower motors.

http://www.prevoman.com/Pages/Webasto%20Blower/page1.html