Being new to this system I'm wondering if I'm having a problem with the Hot water flow volume. The cold water comes out like gang buster however the hot water is considerably less. If I want to take a hot shower I can barely come off the stops for the hot by adding a little cold to it before it gets to cold for a shower. This creates more volume but still not satisfactory for me. Am I expecting to much here? I am hooked up to the house water. Thank you all for your expert help!
Greg
Suspect mixing valve in aquahot is culprit
Tim,
Do you find that the hot and cold water volume is equal or at least close?
Greg
Yes
My understanding is that aqua hot restricts the hot water output to meet their continuious hot water rating.
Rudy posted here I think that the system is designed for a 75 degree temp rise from whatever the input water temp is.
I replaced my valve. Very little difference.
Country coach mentioned not enough hot water output in a conversation with me long ago.
That's why at some point they made their own hot water heating system.
Probably done that way so 30 something degree inlet water temp from a near freezing source would still be hot enough for comfort.
I wonder if the system is adjustable by a really knowledgeable source to increase the hot output as long as the user would understand it might not be able to maintain the 75 degree rise in temp at low water inlet temps?
50,000 btu's heating and the systems capacity apparently meet somewhere.
My guru buddy removes the aqua hots from his customers coaches and replaces the unit because of the damage that the aluminum tank suffers if it freezes hard.
I never asked but I bet the unit he installs puts out more hot water flow.
We are sort of preppers somewhat for fun and more water flow means more water use in dry camping which our particular coach does very well.
Most are not dry campers here so temperate weather and unlimited water supply and drain would maybe need more output.
Probably $10k range to switch to his steel tanked maybe higher output unit?
Will post the unit he uses when I see him.
Went through the same questions. Decided to leave it alone for the more water use and the ability to heat in severe winter weather and the cost of a replacement piece of technology.
I agree not impressive showers. Wondered if a 110 volt PAAR type pump like the busses use might add enough water pressure to give more output in the hot water side.
Buddies prevost has a 300 gallon fresh tank although.
Bob
I do not have a AquaHot just the propane/electric unit. It produces plenty of hot water. The AquaHot is supposed to be better so I suspect that something is amiss. Perhaps Rudy will see this and chime in. He is the expert I believe.
Keith
My issue was mixing valve needed guts replaced so that output of aqua hot was higher, then I could add more cold in shower faucet which gave higher overall shower flow.
Understand you only have to replace guts of valve, not entire valve for repair.
Also use oxygenics shower head
We have an Aqua-Hot and it seems to provide the same volume of hot and cold water. We are really happy with it. You must have a bad mixing valve, or some similar problem.
We have had no problem providing hot or cold water with or AH either. In the 2000 or this coach either.
Here is the Aqua Hot hot water heating specification:
55 degree F temperature rise at a 1.5 gallon per minute flow rate.
The heater has a 1/2 inch copper hot water heating coil. It will flow however much water one puts through it. There is no restriction till you get to the RV shower head.
Using a Oxygenics shower head allows a vigorous shower at a lower flow rate allowing the water to stay in the heating longer picking up more heat.
During cold temps, using the coach's fresh water tank being kept warm by the Aqua Hot basement fan coil will give one a higher start temp over using the water hose whose ground water source could be only 40 degrees F.
Hope this helps.
If it is cold I never leave the hose out so always run off the tanks.
I need to add that what I shared above applies to the heater at manufacture. Use over time especially in hard water locations can result in mineral build up in the heating coil and/or mixing valve.
Sometimes if the coach has been in very hard water areas, you have to replace the entire mixing valve. This is a much more difficult job than just replacing the interior parts. Copper pipe soldering skills are needed.
The photo below was taken by Art Twadell when he replaced the mixing valve in his coach. You can clearly see that water flow would be restricted.
- Roger Berke -
Where was I told it was 75 degrees difference?
I see I need the whole valve as the inners had minerals on it. Pm me please on how to get the pieces. Learned something new today. Good day. Bob
Greg, I had a similar but maybe not so severe issue with my aqua hot not long ago. What appeared to be the original mixing valve was replaced when Rudy serviced our unit. It has worked perfect since. Don't know where you are but would definitely recommend Rudy's services.
My mixer value imploded abut two years ago. I found pieces of the internal fittings in the water pump inlet strainer. Only symptom was significantly reduced hot water flow. I remember it was an off the shelf part but about $200.