We followed the First Nations Expedition on its northern tour (see the trips tab). Here is a report of our trip and the tests carried out.
- The gray water tank has frozen. Because we put a valve at the outlet to drain, the latter froze completely. So we added 2 gallons of windshield washer and started the block heater and rode for 3 hours. We were able to unfreeze it. We removed the valve to let the water flow.
- The shower drain has frozen. We put a quart of RV antifreeze in the shower drain. The temperature was so cold that the P trap froze. We tried by sending 2 gallons of boiling water, but without result. We had to use a hot-air diesel heater under the truck. We therefore put windshield washer fluid in the shower drain. The latter freezes at a much lower temperature.
- The shower drain has frozen again. Probably due to the low slope of the sink drain. The latter is connected just below the P trap of the shower. We believe that a return of water is made towards the P trap of the shower and freezes.
- The instant hot water heater has frozen. We insulated the outer panel of the water heater, but not the exhaust. Also, the water heater is in a cabinet that stands at a cooler temperature. We put a tape on the exhaust when we ride and opened the cabinet panel.
- The engine derated. While riding on a gravel road, we lost engine power. It went into protection mode, with no diagnostic codes on the monitor screen. We used a code reader to do the diagnostics and it was SPN 102 FMI:2 which is the engine intake manifold pressure. Upon opening the hood and looking closely at the components, there was a loose connector. We plugged it back in and restarted the engine.
- Truck heater fan. Before leaving, we connected the truck’s heater fan to the lithium batteries to let it run overnight at position 2. We wanted to use the heat from the heater core heated by the Webasto to maximize the internal temperature. The problem is that when the engine is stopped, the electric valve that lets the glycol through closes. We must therefore connect this valve to the lithium batteries.
