Rixen's MCS7 Hydronic Heater Retrofit Kit
The current-generation replacement for the factory diesel heater in 2018–2020 and 2021–2024 Winnebago Revels. It adjusts automatically for altitude and runs from one touchscreen. Installed by Overland Design-Build.
Heat that keeps up at elevation
Rixen's MCS7 replaces your Revel's factory diesel heating system: the Espar/Rixen's MCS-5 system on 2018–2020 models, or the Timberline system on 2021–2024 models. The new system is built around Eberspächer's current Hydronic S3 furnace. Its control board measures air pressure and adjusts the furnace for elevation automatically; Rixen's specifies that compensation up to at least 11,000 ft. This is a Revel-specific kit, configured by Rixen's for the retrofit.
Why upgrade
- Automatic altitude adjustment. The MCS7 compensates on its own, with no altitude kit or manual setting.
- Steadier, quieter heat. The furnace modulates steplessly from 1.3 to 5.0 kW and burns as little as 0.15 L/h at low demand.
- One controller. A 5.5" touchscreen with three heating zones and a two-stage thermostat. Control it from your phone's browser over the system's own Wi-Fi, no app or internet needed. The screen also shows furnace hours, altitude and stored fault codes.
- A quieter pump. A two-speed BWO 355 glycol pump circulates the loop.
- A current-production furnace. The Eberspächer Hydronic S3 is the generation Eberspächer builds today.
Good to know: peak output is 5 kW. Your factory 120V electric element is reconnected, so shore-power heat carries over.
Which installation do I need?
- 2018–2020 Revel (factory Espar/Rixen's MCS-5 system): MCS7 retrofit installation, 2018–2020
- 2021–2024 Revel (factory Timberline system): MCS7 retrofit installation, 2021–2024
What's in the kit
| Component | What it does |
|---|---|
| Eberspächer S3 Hydronic D5E CS 12V diesel furnace, modified by Rixen's for MCS7 | Heats the glycol loop; modulates 1.3–5.0 kW |
| Furnace fuel pump | Meters diesel from the van's tank |
| MCS7 S3 power box | The system's brain: runs the furnace, pump and fans; measures air pressure for altitude compensation; built-in Wi-Fi |
| MCS7 touchscreen controller (black case) | 5.5" interface for heat, hot water, zones and diagnostics |
| MCS7 temperature sensor | Cabin temperature input for the thermostat |
| BWO 355 two-speed 12V glycol pump (4th gen; 28 W max, 4.6 gpm) | Circulates coolant through the heating loop |
| Two 12V open-face kick-space air handlers | Deliver cabin heat |
| Rixen's S3 furnace harness, MCS7 harness, MCS power harness | System wiring |
| S3 furnace bracket and hardware, 90° coolant connection kit, 20 mm intake silencer | Furnace mounting, plumbing and intake noise control |
| Coolant fittings, hose barbs, pipe plug, hose clamps | Rixen's-supplied plumbing connections |
Specifications
| Fuel | Diesel, drawn from the vehicle tank |
| Heat output | 1.3–5.0 kW (≈4,400–17,000 BTU/h), stepless |
| Fuel consumption | 0.15–0.59 L/h (≈0.04–0.16 gal/h) |
| Electrical draw | Furnace 32 W average running, up to 135 W at startup; circulation pump 28 W max |
| System voltage | 12V DC |
| Altitude | Automatic, from air pressure measured at the MCS7 control board; rated to at least 11,000 ft |
| Controller | 5.5" touchscreen, 3 zones, 2-stage thermostat, Wi-Fi browser access |
The installed project
| Rixen's MCS7 Hydronic Heater Retrofit Kit (this item) | $3,994.88 |
| Installation for your generation (links above) | $2,295.00 |
| Kit + installation | $6,289.88 |
| Coolant and installation materials | Estimated during quote review |
| Optional: Installed Engine Heat & Preheat Integration | $2,600.00 |
Not included: installation labor (sold separately above), coolant, shop consumables, and vehicle-specific materials such as hose, fuel line, exhaust and intake routing, wiring, fusing, loom, brackets, fasteners and sealants. Engine heat and preheat integration is a separate add-on.
Fits: 2018–2020 and 2021–2024 Winnebago Revel with the factory diesel hydronic system. Choose your Revel generation above.
Installed by ODB only. This kit is sold as part of an ODB-installed retrofit. It isn't a DIY kit, and we don't install customer-supplied parts. Final parts can vary with your van's condition, prior modifications and Rixen's component availability. We confirm everything during quote review.
FAQ
Will this fix my heater's problems at altitude?
The MCS7 adjusts the furnace for elevation automatically, and Rixen's rates that compensation to at least 11,000 ft. No manual setting is needed.
Will I get more heat?
Peak output is 5 kW. What you gain is more consistent heat at elevation, smoother modulation and better control.
Do I keep hot water?
Yes. The MCS7 provides cabin heat and domestic hot water from the same system. Your factory 120V electric element is reconnected to the MCS7, so electric heat and hot water on shore power carry over.
Does it still run on my van's diesel?
Yes. It draws from the main tank through your Revel's existing hard fuel lines, and we replace the aged flexible fuel line. Keep at least 1/4 tank of diesel.
Can I add engine heat later?
Yes. Engine heat and preheat integration ($2,600) recovers engine heat while you drive (up to 30 kW, per Rixen's) and can preheat the engine from the touchscreen before a cold start. It can be added during this install or later.
How long will my van be in the shop?
About a week.
