I looking to purchase a FT with AH system was wondering if this system can heat the coach while on shore power, 50 amp and not using diesel.
I have a 5th wheel that I have installed a 240v hydronic baseboard heat that will provide heat while on 50 amp shore power. I added a double pole breaker for the 240v. Works good. I go to New Mexico and volunteer with habitat for humanity, they provide 50 amps while I'm there free. I really don't like the propane furnace that's in my 5th wheel. Too noisy and runs all the time.
Yes it has diesel and electric.. depending on the outside temps is how much hot water you get with electric only but ..
Short answer is yes.
Ours heats the coach well until the temperature gets down around 40 degrees and then we need to turn on the diesel burner. The electric provides plenty of hot water for showers until there is a lot of need to heat the coach as the outside temperature goes down.
Yes but the electric element is IIRC 1500 watts so is somewhat limited. I installed a temperature gauge to see the tank temperature to know when the electric is not enough. If you're buying a U320 with Aquahot it may have heat pump air conditioners also. These work well until ambient temps of about 40ºF. If your coach has ducted A/C's you can run the other one to reduce noise. Nice to have options.
Just add a electric heater or two depending how cold it is.
Yes. A couple of these oil-filled heaters will drive you out, plus they're cheap and quiet.
I also use the oil filled heats. What model AH is used in the 1998 - 2001 U320.
Unless you are going to heat the entire coach to 75° you won't need to haul around extra heaters with an AH. We are quite comfortable down to outside temps at 40°, sometimes a bit lower with the AH on electric only. We turn the LR thermostat down at night, it will heat up quickly in the morning. If you are expecting cold temps run the diesel one cycle before you go to bed and then go back to electric only. That way you start at full temp in the AH. A temperature display helps you understand what is going on with the AH and manage it better.
Add a switch to the dash blower to disable it when the front thermostat calls for heat. The remaining heat exchangers will run longer and the heat in the LR will be much more uniform. With the dash blower on the front thermostat thinks it is warm enough faster and turns the heat off before the rest of the LR gets warm. And the heat will cycle on and off more frequently for shorter periods of time. It makes a big difference in comfort.
Aqua Hot Dash Blower Fan Override (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=23713.msg185057#msg185057)
Most if not all have the 431/12 Aqua Hot unit!