Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Peter on September 26, 2022, 03:29:20 pm

Title: AH schematics and heat exchanger locations
Post by: Peter on September 26, 2022, 03:29:20 pm
Good day
I do not have a AH schematics for my coach to view the hoses and locations of the heat exchangers (especially bay exchangers) if anyone has one could you please post it?
The reason for asking is for the basement heat especially I am curious how the heat circulates through the bays. I have a heat exchanger located in my water pump bay which circulates warm air but is there another one located in the bays of the coach? My thoughts there may be one behind the panel where the outside faucet is by the black and grey water piping/tanks but I am not sure. Can anyone explain how the the air is "pushed" through the bays in such a capacity to prevent freezing?
Pics of my water pump bay with the exchanger and pic of my sewage/outside faucet attached
Title: Re: AH schematics and heat exchanger locations
Post by: oldguy on September 26, 2022, 03:37:30 pm
On my coach there is a heat exchanger behind the panel behind the outside taps.
Title: Re: AH schematics and heat exchanger locations
Post by: Rudy on September 26, 2022, 04:40:03 pm
Peter, the utility bay is the only bay with a fan coil.  Remove the snap on panel between the heater and next basement bay.  Remove cover from heater where burner is located.  Store those items and with bays kept closed, they will be above freezing till it gets frigid outside.
Title: Re: AH schematics and heat exchanger locations
Post by: Peter on September 26, 2022, 04:54:36 pm
Thanks for the input..but still a little confused..if the water pump bay is the ONLY bay with the fan, does that fan supply all the air movement through all the vents in the basement?  That could not possibly force enough air through the bays...also with the thermostat being located right beside the exchanger and water pump, would not the heat shut off prematurely before the other bays were even remotely close to that temp?  Ie: temp at 50 in the water pump bay but the storage bays at a lot lower temp....
On my coach there is a heat exchanger behind the panel behind the outside taps.
Does that exchanger have a fan?
Title: Re: AH schematics and heat exchanger locations
Post by: oldguy on September 26, 2022, 08:37:59 pm
Yes it has a fan that works with the heater at the water pump.
Title: Re: AH schematics and heat exchanger locations
Post by: Pamela & Mike on September 26, 2022, 09:03:47 pm
Peter,

One other thing to think about is the A/H boiler is setting up front and is a huge heat sink. With it putting off heat it will keep the rest of the bays nice and warm along with the 2 radiators in the area you have located. If you haven't pulled the fuzzy vanity cover off that hides the A/H unit you might do that to help with heating the rest of the basement if you are going to be in sure enough freezing weather.

Mike
Title: Re: AH schematics and heat exchanger locations
Post by: Jan & Richard on September 26, 2022, 10:06:52 pm
Just to clarify or summarize the above posts, There are two AquaHot heat registers with circulating fans in the lower bays.  The one you have located by the water pump and the one you suspected in the bay on the other side of the coach with the dump valves.  The other suggestions (which I will follow in the future) about removing the panel hiding the AquaHot will sufficiently warm the main storage bay. 

Richard
Title: Re: AH schematics and heat exchanger locations
Post by: Peter on September 26, 2022, 10:51:00 pm
Perfect explanation!
As my intentions are to winter in the coach here in Alberta and with the "la Nina" thing saying it will be a colder winter than normal, I feel a little more calmed...
Title: Re: AH schematics and heat exchanger locations
Post by: Rudy on September 27, 2022, 07:44:01 am
Peter, the water heating  spec is 55 degress temp rise at 1.5 gallons per minute.  So keep the basement thermostat turned up all the way.  Keep coach fresh water tank full and use it when you need hot water.  Top off the fresh water tank often and do not let it get near empty before refilling.

If you are loading 40 degree ground water, a 55 degree rise is only 95 degrees F.  Not very comfortable for a shower.  So a warmed fresh water tank will solve that problem.

Keep the entrance to your utility bay for power, sewer and water well insulated so frigid air can not enter that part of the basement.

Keep the doors to cabinets under the sinks open to allow warm interior air to get into the back of the cabinets where the water lines are routed.

Had a Newell friend spend two winters in WY doing petroleum land work.  The big heater like you have did not let the Newell freeze.  Do not loose grid power and do not run out of diesel. Diesel for the burner is critical and the gen can run the batteries and heater electric element during a grid failure.

All the best and enjoy the comforts of the big Aqua Hot heater.