Forum Discussion

sloman2001's avatar
sloman2001
Explorer
Dec 11, 2013

Aqua Hot Questions...

for a MH "wanna be".

We are considering a coach with the Aqua Hot system (I have read the operating manual) and are trying to find out a little more about it, so thank you in advance for any responses. Without laying out a litany of questions, here are 5 questions about the Aqua Hot system I’m seeking clarification on.

Can you use the AH hot water system when camping in sub 32 degree conditions (maybe 25 degrees), or must you always winterize if it is going to get below freezing? We often camp in colder weather, so I just want to know if I need to winterize at the slightest chance of 32 and below. (not asking about the coach heating, but the water heating system)

Generally, what constitutes the bay heating system (maybe coach specific)? Do I need to ask the particular dealer?

To winterize, I have read you cannot merely blow out the lines, but you must use anti-freeze. I am just curious as to why?

If you are going to be driving through conditions below 32 degree’s and are using the engine to heat the rig, do you still need to winterize your lines?

For heating only (not for the continuous water supply) to what general outside temperature will Aqua Hot’s use of the 120 VAC burner be sufficient before the diesel burner kicks in or will electric alone provide enough heat? In reading the operating instructions, it sounds like the electric element alone will heat the anti-freeze solution for heating. But it also sounds like you need the diesel burner, so I am just a little confused. Any clarification here would be helpful.

Maybe these sound a little dumb, so thanks for your patience. Thanks again for your time!
Tom
Class A
  • sdianel_-acct_c's avatar
    sdianel_-acct_c
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2013
    We have a 2004 Country Coach Allure with Hydro Hot, the smaller version of the Aqua Hot. We have camped for 5 days in 17 degree icy snowy weather without winterizing the coach. Of course you should winterize if you are storing it and not using it. From the manual: "The Aqua-Hot's Domestic Hot Water Heating System must be completely drained of domestic water any time the heater is STORED where freezing temperatures may be experienced.
    We have never winterized our coach as we continuously use it.
    In the winter we turn on the electric and diesel switches per the owner's manual recommendations (unless we're in a park where we pay extra for electric) then we only use the diesel switch. We have a heat exchanger in the service bay that prevents freezing of the fresh water tank and water lines within the service bay. We fill our fresh water tank and disconnect the water line from the coach if the temperature is going to be below freezing for more than 2 hours. Our Hydro Hot provides "continuous" hot water very quickly. Note: on our coach the demand for hot water overrides the demand for heat temporarily. We never notice this feature because we don't use that much water due to grey water holding tank size. We don't worry about what temperature electric vs diesel. The diesel knows when to kick in. We just leave both switches on. Diesel is the primary heating source for hot water and furnace in low temps and high demand. Electric is a secondary source for higher ambient temps and low demand. We love our Hydro Hot (Aqua Hot). Here is a good website for Hydronic Heater Repair with some photos and info about Aqua Hots. Roger Berke is a great resource.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Dec 11, 2013
    When stored outside I never winterized anything... just left the single electric element on and set the Tstats as low as they would go. This was enough heat to keep everything warm enough even when it was in the teens outside.
  • gsander1's avatar
    gsander1
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2013
    sloman2001 wrote:
    for a MH "wanna be".

    We are considering a coach with the Aqua Hot system (I have read the operating manual) and are trying to find out a little more about it, so thank you in advance for any responses. Without laying out a litany of questions, here are 5 questions about the Aqua Hot system I’m seeking clarification on.

    Can you use the AH hot water system when camping in sub 32 degree conditions (maybe 25 degrees), or must you always winterize if it is going to get below freezing? We often camp in colder weather, so I just want to know if I need to winterize at the slightest chance of 32 and below. (not asking about the coach heating, but the water heating system)

    You never need to winterize if you are going to leave the system hot.

    Generally, what constitutes the bay heating system (maybe coach specific)? Do I need to ask the particular dealer?

    Every coach I've had with hydronic heat has had a heat exchanger in the water bay. You should ask the seller.

    To winterize, I have read you cannot merely blow out the lines, but you must use anti-freeze. I am just curious as to why?

    Because the domestic hot water is produced via a coil in the AH. Coils of copper tubing don't blow out well and are destroyed by freezing water.

    If you are going to be driving through conditions below 32 degree’s and are using the engine to heat the rig, do you still need to winterize your lines?

    No

    For heating only (not for the continuous water supply) to what general outside temperature will Aqua Hot’s use of the 120 VAC burner be sufficient before the diesel burner kicks in or will electric alone provide enough heat? In reading the operating instructions, it sounds like the electric element alone will heat the anti-freeze solution for heating. But it also sounds like you need the diesel burner, so I am just a little confused. Any clarification here would be helpful.

    The answer is dependent on the size and insulation quality of the coach. Remember, the heating coil is only 12.6 amps. The same size as a small space heater. You wouldn't expect to heat a large, four slide coach with one space heater on low. So, maybe down to 45 degrees or so but you won't get much domestic hot water without the diesel burner.

    Maybe these sound a little dumb, so thanks for your patience. Thanks again for your time!
    Tom
  • Mr_Mark1's avatar
    Mr_Mark1
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2013
    Tom,

    Depending on which Aqua-Hot system that's in the coach that you are considering, it might have one electric element or two. Ours has two (110 and HI) and it will make the water scalding hot!

    We have never winterized as we stay in milder climates. The whole purpose of the Aqua-Hot is to use it when it's cold. The engine will circulate the antifreeze through-out the system so you will have very hot water when you arrive at your destination.

    You can use the heating system when you are driving down the road without the diesel running because the engine is heating the antifreeze.

    If you are using the Aqua-Hot, it should heat the water bay area also so no worries about freezing the pipes. You will love the Aqua-Hot system.

    MM.

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