Problem Block Heater

[RandyB]

2017 Newmar VentanaLE 4037. Cummins. 53,000 miles.
I’ve never used the block heater. It’s always been unplugged. Until today.

No shore power. Generator operating normally. Block heater cord is plugged into receptacle in the electrical cabinet. Circuit breaker in main breaker box is on. Unfortunately I did not have a multimeter or any other means to test for power at receptacle. Load center indicates block heater on, pulling 0 amps. There is no switch on the dash or in the overhead controls.

I suspect that the never-used block heater is kaput. Concur? Advise?

 

[Richpatty]

Ventanas do not have switches.. at least in that model year.

It should be pulling 8-10 amps…

 

[Richpatty]

Are you sure it is pulling 0 amps? Pic?

 

[Neal]

With GEN on are you showing 66A in the progressive EMS? GEN breaker verified ON and not tripped?

 

[RandyB]

Are you sure it is pulling 0 amps? Pic?

Yes, zero amps indicated on the load center, on the same line of test that indicates block heater “on”.

With GEN on are you showing 66A in the progressive EMS? GEN breaker verified ON and not tripped?

Yes, 66 amps available. Both legs are producing voltage. I did not check the gen breaker since it is producing voltage.

 

[Sealyn]

Your looking at the load shedding screen, look at the screen that shows L1 and L2 volts and amps.

 

[RandyB]

Your looking at the load shedding screen, look at the screen that shows L1 and L2 volts and amps.

Yes, that’s right. I was looking at the load shedding page. Thank you. On the page showing loads on line 1 and 2, line 1 is zero, line 2 started at 6 and reducing over time due to the battery charging load.

 

[Sealyn]

Plug a hairdryer (or equivalent) into the block heater receptacle and watch for the load change so you know the circuit is good.

 

[RandyB]

I do appreciate the suggestions. However, with the coach not readily available to apply or confirm the help and with the day ending, I’m not able to follow through. Then, tomorrow’s high in single digits with several inches of snow, I doubt I’ll be able to then either. The good news is that departure day is one week away with highs predicted in the 20’s, so starting should be all right.

Additionally: scratching around and found that Cummins states about 22 ohms of resistance. Ohms law says 120 volts divided by 22 ohms equals 5.45 amps. So, next on the agenda is to check the resistance of the heater at the plug (22ish). While there, check at the plug for voltage (120ish). If all looks good will check the line loads with and without the heater plugged in (delta around 5-6 amps). But all that will have to wait a couple days. I’ll report back my findings, for future readers.