I looked up this on search "balky aqua hot" by 2escapees and found the symptoms seem to be the same as what I am now experiencing with the aqua hot. That is; the system seems to function except intermittent shutdowns; light goes off but unit may be restarted. No smoke. How loud is normal for the motor? I certainly can hear it running however there is a consistency to it; no grinding noises, just seems a little loud to me.
The solution seems to be a control board or box as it is referred to. Upon reading the manual, I found it may be a high temperature limit switch gone whacky. Apparently it has a reset button; could not find the button.
What may be your thoughts on this and the place to get parts? I'm North of the border in Canada and not going South anytime soon.
First, check aqua hot for trained technician in CA, Join Roger Berke's Hydronic Heating Forum, and possible buy your parts from his web site if you are going to DIY
Have you replaced your rubber fuel lines?
well there is a thought. I was thinking the other day thumbing through the Foretravel manual, where on earth is the fuel filter for the aqua hot? The aqua hot was serviced at MOT at purchase and have only used it monthly for "exercise" Perhaps if I know the location of the fuel filter I may be able to trace the fuel lines. Strange replacing fuel lines to me, I have had the same fuel lines in my diesel engine vessel since 1988 and by the looks of them ( cut open) they will outlive me.
I will check out the lines and filter and carry on from there. Thanks on that.
Howdy crosscountry,
I think you're asking for the location of AquaHot fuel filter. On our '00 U320, the filter is located in the front Driver Side compartment (D1), that is: the compartment in front of the wheel. Mounted towards the front and up high.
Good Luck, Dave A
My AH filter is inside the unit, up in the back corner. Understandably, some have relocated them to more convenient locations.
As suggested, try Roger Burke's forum. Roer is a expert in the field, provides answers to questions and has excellent customer service.
RV Hydronic Heater Forum (http://forum.rvhydronicheaterrepair.com/showthread.php?623-Model-431-and-Similar-Troubleshooting-Guides)
Hope this helps.
Tom,
How much diesel is in your fuel tank. At lease a 1/4 or more is needed to allow the fuel pick up for the burner to be in fuel. I like 1/3 or more just in case gauge is not reading quite right.
Fuel filter is Racor R12T. It is mounted in the driver's side front basement compartment up high.
Roger's forum is excellent for getting help and for parts too. You can even ship the burner and Control Unit (the box on the side of the burner) to him for check out.
This would not check you high limit thermostat as it is mounted to the heater tank. It is above the burner and has a white dot of a button to reset it. BUT, you do not have a high limit thermostat problem because once it pops, it will not reset its self.
Checking the AH website for Authorized Service Centers near you that has been suggested is a good idea also.
Lean mixture from air leaks in fuel supply line would generally first show up as white smoke from exhaust.
Where in Canada are you staying?
Tim, Crosscountry is the nice fella I traded Satellite systems with. He is very near Nanaimo, Vancouver Island.
Yes, the fuel filter is right where it was said to be;in the forward driver's side compartment. No bubbles, no water, and no discernable leaks. Wow, fuel lines were run all that way forward and back for ease of service and just maybe a safety issue.
Tim points out the white smoke with erratic fuel supply; no white smoke. Thanks Rudy, the tank is full. Thanks to all. I have registered on the aqua-hot site and feel a bit better armed to deal with the forthcoming.
Tim, as Bigdog noted I'm on Vancouver Island at the Osborn Bay RV Resort overlooking and on Stuart Channel where I had commercial fished until retirement. Two of my children have the house held hostage and we prefer to live aboard the dream, Foretravel.
There is an Aquahot mobile service tech near Vancouver BC I used with success
Our problems were the same and we had black smoke instead of white and no amount of adjustments by Aquahot "authorized" techs resolved the issue. HOWEVER, a new controller box from Roger Berke solved everything. Not inexpensive, but it is was a solution for us.
If the controller is not bad you will have a spare. I carry one controller one flame sensor and nozzles for back up. If you are out in the boonies when one of them fail you are back up and running and the cost for the spare is paid for by not having to have cold showers.
Thank you all for the replies. My rather late report is twofold; one, I have learned how to spell aquahot and subsequently could not find the thread, two, today the aquahot was fixed. My thanks to Prevostart for his advice off air. The fix is similar to the tune by the Irish Rovers; "Wasn't that a party, might have been the whisky, might have been the gin etc etc. Could have been the fuel solenoid, might have been the nozzle, me oh my what a mess I;m in.
Gerry from Ace came over to the Island after consulting twice with Cornerstone Insurance. Don't everyone laugh at once. please. So Gerry calls them after the job is complete and we get "I don't have authorization for that amount of money" Gerry went back to the mainland with my credit card and we will find out tomorrow; "by noon" what is covered under the policy sold by MOT when I purchased the coach. Tom