I am new to this group and have searched and not found an answer to this. I am in the process of buying a 2006 Nimbus 340, the coach is winterized and I am wanting to know if there is any reason not to run the Hydro Hot if the coach is winterized.
Welcome to the group.
The simple answer is no.
Or to answer it like the topic states Yes run it as the domestic water side is completely separate from the coach heating side, yet they are tied together at the same heating source.
Mike
Thanks Mike. Haven't owned a coach since I sold my 1993 Beaver in 2005 so may have a lot of questions.
Running the water pump would also show if you have any leaks once it is pressurized. Don't need to run any fluid, just pressurize and check for leaks
Questions are good. Most of the time one of us has some experience with your problem, so no need to reinvent the wheel.
Mike
My answer to your question is maybe, because so much depends on what the previous owner and his tech thought of as "winterized."
You heating system* should be filled with a non-poisonous anti-freeze solution.
If yes, then no.
*The heating system is separate from the potable water system with the exception of the heat exchanger for potable hot water.
Driver, once in possession of the coach, turn the diesel burner on and let it fire. Go outside and look at the exhaust pipe. The exhaust should be clean and clear. If smelly and/or smokey, service the Webasto burner.
Once you have established a clean and clear exhaust, run the diesel burner once per month, every month, year round, no excuse, period. Doing so keeps fresh diesel on the nozzle so the nozzle does not get clogged with congealed diesel.
Don't forget to add your coach to your profile. Congrats on your purchase.
You have now heard from the expert on AH's (Rudy)
Pay attention to the run unit at least once a month all year long. I have seen many people not doing that and when they need to turn the unit on it does not work.
This is awesome that there are members that answer questions and help that do this for a living (Rudy). Thank you I will do just that. Do you also recommend a new nozzle and filter as yearly maintenance?
I'd be interested in what others have to say about annual burner service. Truth be told my practice was to run the AquaHot almost monthly but stretch the burner service to 2 years if I didn't see smoke or soot. I did replace my fuel filter annually. The most we used our AquaHot was 3 month/year. That worked fine for me over the past dozen years. Now I feel so guilty. LOL. I concede that the best practice is to follow factory recommendations, but I'm curious about what others do in practice given the runtime on their unit.
Mark, Annual service will most times catch clean burning problems for folks that do NOT run the burner once per month or more, more is better. So before the burner starts faulting, annual service restores proper firing.
Now if one runs the burner once per month or more, fresh diesel stays on the nozzle, especially the stone filter on the nozzle, and proper clean and clear exhaust with a smooth roar occurs each time the burner cycles on.
For these folks, there is no operational reason to service the burner. The burner may run 2, 3 and sometimes even 4 years before smelling and/or smoking starts which is a clear operational reason to service the burner.
Now, servicing the burner and then leaving it off for six months while the coach is stored for the northern winter season, will result in a burner that will not fire for the spring even though only 6 months has passed since service. So annual service will not work for that situation, due to lack of frequent operation.
Hope this helps you decide when you wish to service your burner. Congrats on providing good servcie to your burner.
Thank you for weighing in, Rudy. That is some very practical wisdom. I forgot how reassuring that "smooth roar" was every time I started the unit. Your prose is nearly equal to your technical art! All the best to you.
Please heed Rudy's advice. I had the smoke issue until I ran every month..especially during the frigid winter storage months in Canada. No more issues. I still get the AH serviced yearly as a precaution
well Rudy is there any chance you can tell me where the fuel filter is for the hydro hot? Definitely needs a nozzle and would like to replace fuel filter as well but there isn't one in the compartment with the hydro hot. Also can I buy nozzle and filter from you?
Well, starting in 2006, the new guys owning Foretravel moved stuff, so I have no idea where they put it. Order the filter and nozzle from Aqua Hot, order several nozzles when you do that. They are to low in cost to go to the UPS store to ship them. But stop by my guest spot in far east Houston and I will sell them directly to you. And I know where the locals go to eat.
Have you checked the bay in front of the left front wheel? That is where they were for a lot of years that I know up until 05. I haven't worked on anything newer than an 05.
Yes sir that is where it is at. I noticed that filter and when looking for the number on the filter I saw that it was the GAR-BER filter.