Aquahot Question

[geraldlanc]

My 2002 Beaver Marquis has the AquaHot system. I know it has an electric heating element as well as the diesel burner.

The tech person at the dealer where I bought it says there is a switch that will turn off the electric element, but I can not find it.

Does anyone know about this switch and where it might be located?

I have looked all over the inside of the coach.

Gerald

[dickandlois]

Gerald, could you post you model AquaHot system for the group.

This is a link to a picture of one of the control panels.

http://www.rvmagonline.com/tech/1203rv-servicing-aqua-hot-systems-heating-efficiency/photo_02.html

This is a link to the Owners Manual for one model.

http://www.aquahot.com/eSource/ecom/eSource/staticpages/documents/AHE-100-04S130-04XAqua-HotOwnersManual09-29-04_002.pdf

Rich.

[geraldlanc]

I don't know the model # of the system, but it is an older MH (2002). The switch panel in your photo is similar to mine, but I have no electric switch, just the engine preheat and the diesel burner switch.

Gerald

[dickandlois]

Gerald,

Try this link. Manual dated 05-02.

Read over page 2. Electric heating element. Just a shot in the dark, regarding the model.

Appears that you model year is wired directly into the AC power panel and is on whenever 120volts AC is available.

So to turn off the heating element you would need to find the circuit breaker that feeds the unit in this case.

On page 5, there is a trouble shooting chart that mentions a circuit breaker, but no info. on what breaker. So look at the ac power panel to see if its listed on the panel door. Down load a copy of the manual if it matches your setup.

http://www.aquahot.com/eSource/ecom/eSource/staticpages/documents/AHE-100-02SAqua-HotOwnersManual05-02.pdf

Hope that helps

Rich.

[geraldlanc]

Problem solved - thanks.

Gerald

[oclaxton]

To All members

If anyone needs help, or has questions regarding your aqua-Hot or Hydro-Hot,

Please feel free to contact me anytime, I will try to answer your questions

Thanks

Orman Claxton

Aqua-Hot Certified

206-660-9893

Ocroadhouse@yahoo.com

[jensandnancy]

We are in a 2002 Dynasty and the Aquahot switches are on the cabinet face below the kitchen sink. There are two switches side by side one for the electrical element and a larger switch with an indicator light which lights when the diesel burner is on. When parked with a 30 amp hookup we find that the diesel option is the best. When it is cold out and the engine heat (switch on the dash) we can again use the diesel burner to really heat things up. The other option is to preheat the engine (another switch on the dash) using the hydronic heating system which makes real cold starts no longer an issue. Waking up to snow can be surprising because we are so comfortable and warm inside, and no running out of hot water either like with the 10 gal electrical tanks. A big plus for northern full timers, and one of the best ways to keep the bride happy.

[mtpizza]

Hi Orman,

My wife and I have a 03 Travel Supreme with the Hydro Hot diesel/electric heating system.

We seem to be getting more and more fumes from the diesel. We had new filter and burner nozzles replaced by a service tech last winter but still get lots of smoke at start up which lasts for approximately 3 min then goes away until shut off then another puff of blue grey smoke.

Neither one of us handles the smell very well and when we are in crowed park I am sure it affects our neighbors! Any input???

We are spending the winter near Parker, Az.

Thanks for your input.

Tim

[ticat900]

My wife and I have a 03 Travel Supreme with the Hydro Hot diesel/electric heating system.

We seem to be getting more and more fumes from the diesel. We had new filter and burner nozzles replaced by a service tech last winter but still get lots of smoke at start up which lasts for approximately 3 min then goes away until shut off then another puff of blue grey smoke.

Neither one of us handles the smell very well and when we are in crowed park I am sure it affects our neighbors! Any input???

Did the guy that replaced the nozzle also wire brush and vacuum out the burner chamber?? that's very important.Second off it may need the Fuel pressure reset.Also I find a lot of the ones I look at are set too ricjh on the air intake ajustment

I found that just use the 120V side of it works fine and if it gets a little too cool out use a 1500watt heater. Power between the two is way cheaper than diesel at $4.00 PG

[albertbalika]

When replacing the nozzle, make sure to inspect the photo cell. If photo cell is dirty or misaligned, the burner will not fire. Also, make sure to watch the expansion chamber when the system has heated up. If the fluid does not expand in the chamber, the system is not circulating properly and this can cause a very expensive problem. Have the system serviced immediately.

[ticat900]

When replacing the nozzle, make sure to inspect the photo cell. If photo cell is dirty or misaligned, the burner will not fire. Also, make sure to watch the expansion chamber when the system has heated up. If the fluid does not expand in the chamber, the system is not circulating properly and this can cause a very expensive problem. Have the system serviced immediately.

How could the fluid not expand into the overflow bottle? never heard of that one? Now if the bottle is empty because the unit is too low on AF I can see that although all the ones I seen in this case shut off automatically and I have had to jumper them(15+16) the photo cell just floats on the end under the jet so not sure how this could be misaligned? at least I have not seen this situation? always learning though.

[oclaxton]

Hello Tim

To Everyone reading this, use a creditable Aqua Hot Authorized Service Rep.

I am going to offer a few tips to all who are interested:

(1)A bit of smoke upon start and shutdown is normal.

(2)One thing I am seeing is Aqua-hot owners think that if they don't use their heaters, they don't need servicing,

You should run your Aqua-Hot on the diesel cycle at least once a month, this prevents stale fuel from fouling the fuel nozzle. By the way, DO NOT try to get by with cleaning the Nozzle. They have a list price of around $15.00.

(3) When servicing your A/H, wipe the photo cell to clean of soot, if it cannot be cleaned with a dry towel, just clean with brake cleaner.

(4)A proper service cannot be performed without a fuel pressure gauge, fuel pressure range is 145 PSI + or - 6 PSI.

(5) An easy way to clean the combustion area is a nice long handle toilet brush, After cleaning that and the combustion chamber, insert the combustion chamber back into position, (seam at the top) Do not worry about the vacuum cleaner, after installing the burner system, when you start the unit, soot will be blown out the exhaust (another tip use gloves).

(6) One cause of smoke is the rubber boot at the air intake, throw that away, use a 1/4 screen to keep critters out, the air intake is preset at the factory, no reason to change unless operation a high altitudes for long period of time.

(7) Coolant level will change as the internal coolant heats. Be sure the system is full. By the way the only positive way to check is at the radiator cap, if it has one.

[ticat900]

I have found that some so called AH specialist tighten the two 10MM mounting bolt nuts too tight and have seen the motor mount lug broken or cracked. BE VERY CAREFUL that you just snug the two mount bolts and not over tighten them.

The units made after 2006ish don't have a rad cap, just a air bleed valve. I wish they stayed with the rad cap idea (personal opinion).

The act of removing the motor,brush and vacuum the chamber, replace the nozzle, check the spark gap,etc. is not rocket science and any

capable person can easily do it yourself. TOO BAD the manufacturers install some units in extremely difficult areas and are hard to get at to service. Plain dumb on the manufacturer(Tiffin,Newmar etc).

I have done several AQ services and have never had the need to check FP. That requires a special gauge etc. Best ask a AH tech to do that for you if need arises.

I have also found that the factory air vent(intake setting) is too rich sometimes. I think its supposed to be 90 degrees max and have found some only at 45. Once opened up another 1/4 inch the smoking disappears. I am not an expert but have done several services on various models and have been successful

The black boot covering the air intake? I have not seen this-- not sure what that's all about??

[dallasw]

Just purchased a 2011 MH with an aqua-hot system. While traveling do I turn both the electrical & Diesel switches off? Will the engine heat then make hot water?