Hurricane summer/winter valves

[David Handley]

After researching the forum, I know this issue was addressed several years ago, but since it did not address my specific problem I thought I would ask again. 

Trying to prepare for my first real winter in this coach.  Most folks have already pointed out that the location of the summer/winter valves are not in the location specified either in the Owner's Manual or ITR's product information.  As others have already noted, they are under the bedroom access to the engine compartment.  The use of the plural here is the issue--I can only find one valve--see photo.  That presents a real problem since I'm supposed to move two valves so they are parallel.  The valve shown in the photo is in the forward part of the compartment.  That's the generator case in the background, and the PacBrake is just below it.

Now, my wife would tell you I can't find anything because I don't look hard enough, but I made an real effort this time with no luck.  Any suggestions?

[Grant Ralston]

David, our 98 Contessa apparently has a different layout, and I can't identify the valve shown in your photo. 
Our hurricane boiler fluid always heats the domestic water first, and is then sent to the expansion chamber in the rear engine compartment.  The two valves on the exit of the expansion chamber either sends the heated boiler fluid directly back to the boiler (in the short circuit); or instead, sends the heated fluid thru the hoses needed to heat the coach before returning it to the boiler.  I cannot see if the single handle valve body has two hoses or three hoses connected.  It is possible the valve is a 3-way unit that does the job our two valves.

It is possible a one 2 hose valve could be used to close off only the short circuit and force the boiler fluid thru the longer heater circuit.   

To confirm how your system is working I would suggest you check the status of the interior heaters (radiators) while the Hurricane operational heating the domestic hot water.  When the long or "winter" circuit is operating the hoses connected to the radiators inside the coach will be hot.  If you had the thermostat switched to heat and the temperature set high enough the fans behind the radiators would operate and you would feel warm air out of the heater boxes.  When the short or "summer" circuit is operating the hoses inside the coach going to the radiators should not be hot. 

Changing the position of the valve should not effect your hot domestic water. 

 

[Steve Huber]

David,
The other valve should be close to the one you found. If memory serves me, one valve was further outboard of the other. As mentioned earlier, if the lines to your heat exchangers inside the coach get hot, the valves are in the winter position. There is really no reason to set them back to summer, ever.
Steve

[Fred Brooks]

                     Hi David,

              I went thru the little exercise you are experiencing. There is only 1 valve on my coach and several trips investigating the missing valve lead to "never did find it".
              I agree with Grant and Steve and see if you have heat at the interior heat exchangers. You may have to check this early in the morning and be sure the thermostat and hurricane are turned on. I just leave my valve in the winter position all the time because Cindy and I use the coach all winter long.
              Let us know how it turns out.   Regards, Fred

[Jack snyder]

I also only have one valve. Do get heat though not as much as I would like sometimes. Really thankful for this forum