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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Yetch on January 06, 2021, 02:50:26 pm

Title: AquaHot Problem
Post by: Yetch on January 06, 2021, 02:50:26 pm
It seems that zone 2 (bath and bay) is not putting out heat.  What can I do?
Thanks, Mike
Title: Re: AquaHot Problem
Post by: Ldillow on January 06, 2021, 02:53:54 pm
Dumb, but did u turn the thermostat on in the bathroom?
Title: Re: AquaHot Problem
Post by: Pamela & Mike on January 06, 2021, 03:01:32 pm
First thing I would check is to see if the zone pump is running  and tap on the check valve for that zone. Sometimes the check valves stick and need a tap to get the flapper to free up. If the zone pump isn't running when the thermostat is on and calling for heat check your fuse for said pump. Yes both of these things are in the A/H unit hid in the belly of the beast.

Mike
Title: Re: AquaHot Problem
Post by: Yetch on January 06, 2021, 04:08:04 pm
OK.  Seems to be working now.  Talked with Rudy and he told me how to troubleshoot the problem.  Also how to switch out relays so I have heat in the water bay should it fail again, as the temps are going into the 20s for the next 5 days or so in Missouri..

Another shout out to Rudy.  He is a master.
Mike
Title: Re: AquaHot Problem
Post by: Peter on January 06, 2021, 07:00:11 pm
what was the fix??
Title: Re: AquaHot Problem
Post by: Yetch on January 07, 2021, 08:18:14 am
To be honest, I'm not sure.  Before troubleshooting, I removed the cover to get access to the circulation pumps, increased thermostat in bath to get the heat exchanger blower going, and it started working.  Rudy said that the pumps are extremely reliable.  Could have been the relay.  Now, this morning, same problem.  I am going to swap out the relay and see if that fixes the problem.
Mike
Title: Re: AquaHot Problem
Post by: folivier on January 07, 2021, 08:47:31 am
The relays are cheap and available at Grainger and other places.  Best to keep a spare on board.
Title: Re: AquaHot Problem
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on January 07, 2021, 11:38:25 am
I have had a relay wiggle loose. Pull them out and reinsert. Put some (very little) electrically conductive grease or Corrosion X on the prongs.
Title: Re: AquaHot Problem
Post by: Yetch on January 07, 2021, 05:31:49 pm
Bingo! (hopefully). When getting ready to swap relays, all three had backed out against the retaining bands.  Maybe vibration from the blower motor over time?  Reseated and keeping my fingers crossed.
Mike
Title: Re: AquaHot Problem
Post by: ViewRVs on January 08, 2021, 07:08:02 pm
It seems that zone 2 (bath and bay) is not putting out heat.  What can I do?
Thanks, Mike

Dumb question but.... zone 2 (bath and bay)?  Does the thermostat in the bathroom turn on the basement heating? Does that need to be in the 'On' position for the basement heating to work?

Note: U320. My 'Zone 2' is the rear bedroom. I have a thermostat in the bathroom that is separate from the control box in the front.
Title: Re: AquaHot Problem
Post by: Woody & Sitka on January 08, 2021, 07:14:19 pm
No.  Separate thermostats with diodes in the wiring to isolate register fans to the called for thermostat zone.  See attached diagram.
Title: Re: AquaHot Problem
Post by: Yetch on January 08, 2021, 09:51:36 pm
I have always understood that even though there are two separate thermostats for zone 2, in order for the basement exchangers to operate, the on-off switch on the bathroom thermostat has to be on.
Mike
Title: Re: AquaHot Problem
Post by: oldguy on January 08, 2021, 11:59:18 pm
Mike you may want to retention the retaining clips for the relays
Title: Re: AquaHot Problem
Post by: folivier on January 09, 2021, 07:34:21 am
On my 1999 U320 the basement heaters will work regardless of whether the bathroom heater is on or not.  And the basement heater blower fans will work even if the aquahot is not running.
Title: Re: AquaHot Problem
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on January 09, 2021, 09:24:37 am
Mike, one other thing to check is the ground post at the AH.  The nut can come loose and poor grounds result.


The thermostat in the basement has no off position.  If it gets set to the lowest position and outside temps are less than that the AH Pump and basement blowers come on.  This is very much not good if your coach is in storage for the winter.  You must add an on/off switch or a three wire plug to disconnect the basement thermostat.  That is what I did.

Looks like a switch would go in the black wire to the thermostat from terminal B in the drawing above, there must be a fuse in the open fuse slot.  You could pull the fuse but that means crawling into the basement.