Hydronic Heat Webasto Burner

450LXi Hydronic Heating System is a Bluebird built hydronic system designed to meet the needs of owners in any climate.  The heater unit at the heart of the system is a Webasto  230 80345 btu diesel burner.

Here are some available files collected by Dan S. of San Diego, California and made avaliable to owners

There are three different heating systems in your coach.  The first heat source is a Webasto hydronic heating system circulates a glycol-water mixture throughout the coach.  The Operator can control four heating zones, which direct the heat where it is needed.  Further explanations of its operation and its advantages are discussed later in this section.  The second heat source is a set of four heat pumps that are part of the Dometic roof top air conditioning units.  These heat pumps provide heat at outside temperatures above 42°F.  The third heat source is four 120VAC electric heaters - two 1000 watt heaters are installed in the bathroom and kitchen, two 500 watt heaters are installed in Bay 2 and Bay 4.

The hydronic heating utilizes a 50/50 water/antifreeze mixture that is run through piping in the coach and is continuously heated.  There are four zone heaters placed throughout the coach that have fans attached to them.  Using the two thermostats that are installed in the coach, a user can control the four heat zones in the coach.  One thermostat controls the front of the coach and the other controls the back.  The dividing line is the first pocket door at back of galley.  The thermostats are located in the bedroom area and the front main galley area.  This system is run off of the diesel or electric.  It may be preferred to use the 110 electric heating system when parked in a campground to save diesel, provided the weather isn’t too inclement.  Some advantages of the hydronic system are:

  • • Continuous hot water
  • • Fuel efficient burner which burns all grades of diesel fuel, stove oil, furnace oil, and kerosene without any burner adjustments (not for use with gasoline.)
  • • Zero smoke, no carbon built-up, no fouling or smell.
  • • Copper and brass water jacket transfers more heat to the water and reduces the fuel consumption (three year warranty).
  • • High temperatures 310 stainless steel burner and marine stainless steel jacket.
  • • Quiet operation and low power consumption.
  • • All heaters are designed to operate on 10.5 to 15.0 V.D.C.
  • • All heaters are electric ignition, which draws 2 amps for 30 seconds on startup.
  • • Insulated enclosure for retaining heat and minimizing noise.
  • • Sealed combustion – 100% outside air is fan assisted to the combustion chamber and then exhausted outside, avoiding backpressure.
  • • Optional bottom exhaust – mostly used in motor homes.
  • • Includes four zone heating control for up to four thermostats.
  • • Completely modular and field serviceable (user friendly).
  • • Hookups and connections are easily accessible.
  • • Electronically controlled.  Safety features include four-second shutdown in case of failure, LED digital readout on the electronic control panel for indicating faults, aquastats for monitoring water     temperatures and a photodiode to monitor the flame.
  • • Complete with remote control panel with ON/OFF reset button, LED digital readout, and signal horn.
  • • Jumper for constant pump circulation (Automatic cycling when off).
  • • All heaters cycle at an operating temperature of 180°F (82°C) with overheat cutout set at 195°F (90.5°C).
  • • Air accumulator installed in the fuel line to collect air bubbles and prevent them from reaching the burner and causing nuisance shutdowns.

The Webasto heater utilizes a low pressure fuel system.  The built in fuel pump draws fuel from the fuel tank up to a zero pressure regulator where it stops.  An air accumulator is installed inline between the fuel pump and the regulator to trap any air bubbles from passing through the nozzle valve.  For continuous bleeding, a return line can be run back to the fuel tank.

A small compressor delivers air to an air aspirating nozzle.  This nozzle draws fuel from the zero pressure regulator, mixing it with air through a venturi.  This process produces a very fine mist of fuel into the burner providing complete combustion and very low emissions.  This low pressure system allows the use of a larger fuel orifice, less clogging, less wear and less maintenance.  Fuel ignition is accomplished by a low draw ignitor, drawing approximately 2 amps, for thirty seconds.  Combustion air is drawn from outside so the heater can be installed in an air tight compartment or in the engine room without the fear of starving the heater of air or back venting the heater with the engine running.