It is recommended with our Volvo engine to be put in on 'high idle' at any time that it is parked and running. Our coach has 12V and 24V systems, we have four starting batteries.
At start-up, I crank the engine and let it idle for a minute just to get the oil circulated then I hit the 'rabbit switch' (our high idle switch has a drawing of a rabbit on it).
Our coach builds pressure rather quickly. We have to have the engine running to operate the slides and to fill the airbag suspension. Since we have four slides, it takes about 30-40 seconds per slide to retract or deploy.
Our slides have air-seals that need to deflate before the slide can move. That takes about 10 seconds to deflate, 10-15 seconds for the slide to move and 10 seconds for the slide seal to re-inflate. Multiply that by 4 slides, so that procedure could take 4-5 minutes as I run around the coach hitting buttons.
Arriving at the RV park, during set-up idling and slide opening, the turbo charger and engine have cooled down to about 180 degrees. The high idle procedure turns the radiator fan on high speed which cools down the engine faster. If I'm near leaves on the ground, the radiator will pull up any 'light' debris into the fan grill. The fan is STRONG!
When we pull in, I run out to check the electric/water connections and start connecting. That is also additional time for cool down. Now, I'm ready to open the slides. I like to be plugged-in when putting such a large electrical load moving the slides. Our slide mechanisms are amazingly robust and heavy and probably run on the 24 volt side of the coach. Then, I can put out the slides then level the coach on the air-bags. So, all and all, maybe 15 minutes, 20 min. max?
You will not get any fumes from our diesel as the DPF (diesel particulate filter) takes care of that and our engine exhausts out the roof.
We like to leave around 11:00 am from the RV park and we like to get set-up sometime around 4-6 pm where ever we are going. So, I don't think we really disturb many people. A diesel is what it is, they are loud.
Safe travels,
MM.
