Day Two Trip Home, Aqua Hot Problem

I'm not sure which Aqua Hot you have but on my (much older) unit there are separate valves and pumps for each zone. These are under the cover and if your's are shut off...yep not heat. While you are looking at the valves you could also see if the pumps are running and feel if the lines for the air handlers are hot.

Has it ever worked for you???

there has to be a pump to move the heated fluid in the resevoir ( is the fluid level correct) from the heat exchanger and if its running I would next find the zone valves and determine if they are opening. If they aren't opening I would see if the thermostat is sending a signal

I am just guessing I've never seen an aqua hot system

Don't have the phone # but look up Roger Berke ~ he is a aqua hot authorized representive. He worked on our Aqua hot last winter while we were in New Braufels, TX area.

There are check valves in series with the lines going to the fans on the output the Aquahot. They stick a lot. Feel on either side of them. If hot on one side and cold on the other rap on the valve with a wrench. That usually unsticks them.

What area of PHX? It's a big area. Roger is in Surprise, AZ. He worked on my AquaHot a few years ago when I was staying out North West of PHX. I liked him and was happy with his work. Depending on your location, you may also try Orman Claxton in Apache Junction (east valley) 206-660-9893. He has done my service for the past few years and I'm very happy with his work. He too, is a factory authorized AquaHot tech.

I had a similar issue, and Rogers first advise was to check the lines for heat, if none, tab the line gently at the check valve to try to loosen the check valve up. Have all three zones on when doing this. You should quickly feel warmth in the line if the pump is running and the check valve opens. There should be at least 3 lines coming out of the unit if you have 3 zones. Hope this may help, Happy Trails Bert

X3 on stuck check valve... tapping on them will usually fix. Can you get heat out of the bedroom and bath zones? If so run them and the dash heat to stay warm until you get home and then worry about getting the front to work.
We did not mention the learn curve on these things can be a challenge. Did not want to scare you and hopefully the multiplex system will not give you problems. In a year you'll look back and say... that wasn't so bad.:B

Ivylog wrote:
X3 on stuck check valve... tapping on them will usually fix. Can you get heat out of the bedroom and bath zones? If so run them and the dash heat to stay warm until you get home and then worry about getting the front to work.
We did not mention the learn curve on these things can be a challenge. Did not want to scare you and hopefully the multiplex system will not give you problems. In a year you'll look back and say... that wasn't so bad.:B

This is a common problem on Aqua hot units. To stop the problem it is best to run the furnace zones for a few minutes once a month. This keeps the Zone check valves from sticking. Doug

StuartT,

I echo the responses on tapping each zone to loosen the flap to enable the boiler fluid to flow through the entire line. Use a brass hammer if you happen to have one. If not, use a regular hammer, but tap lightly so that you do not damage the plumbing.

This has happened to me as well and I was able to free the stuck lines to enable heat to flow from the affected registers.

As referenced previously, Roger Berke is a great resource for aqua/hydro hot information. He is a certified aqua/hydro hot professional and can either assist you via troubleshooting on his website or will be able to evaluate your system in person. Since you are headed to Arizona anyway, this is highly feasible.

You will also need to exercise the system regularly just like your generator. Best of luck.

Wow, thanks for all the feedback guys. I did stop at a Walmart today for some supplies and one thing I needed was a #2 square tip screwdriver to take the cover off in front of the AquaHot. As you might imagine, no chance so I will hit a hardware store tomorrow. So I am going to get past Memphis in a couple hours and keep going as long as I can. The freeways are much quieter late, but don't even think about trying to get into a rest stop. Truckers stuff them like sardines.

Once I get that cover off, I will go with the suggestions above and try and isolate the problem and get back with you. BTW, there is a separate fan that seems to be associated with the dash outlets. Does the AquaHot use the dash air system to heat the front area? And is there also radiant heat in the floor?
If it is model specific, this is a 45' Fortress IV.

Talk to you guys in the morning. Thanks again.

"On the road again........."