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Topic: running aqua hot while driving. (Read 1037 times) previous topic - next topic

running aqua hot while driving.

Just inquiring, is it safe to run my aqua hot on deisel and electric while driving?
Also what about the fridge on propane...safe to run while driving?
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: running aqua hot while driving.

Reply #1 –
Don't know about Aqua hot, but I would assume you would want to to. It on diesel when on the road. Fridge is fine been running mine on propane going down the road for many years no issues. There are some folks that turn off he propane when traveling. As always do what makes you happy.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: running aqua hot while driving.

Reply #2 –
My Aqua Hot has been on diesel since 4/26 parked and driving. I turn it on when I leave home and turn it off when I return.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: running aqua hot while driving.

Reply #3 –
Doesn't the engine put heat into the AH system while underway?  Or is it the AH system can put heat into the engine before starting for warm-up?  Or both? 

I could swear the engine will put heat into the AH system....
2000 U320 4010

Re: running aqua hot while driving.

Reply #4 –
Quote from: evantwheeler –
1.  Does the engine put heat into the AH system while underway?

2.  Does AH system put heat into the engine before starting for warm-up?

3.  Or both? 
1.  Yes

2.  Yes

3.  Yes

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: running aqua hot while driving.

Reply #5 –
If your driving the engine heats the AH and diesel use if any would be very low. Get where you are going with the AH off and forgetting  to turn it on can't happen with it already on.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: running aqua hot while driving.

Reply #6 –
Does AH system put heat into the engine before starting for warm-up?

Yes, if AH is up to temperature on either electric (if plugged in) or on diesel burner and IF engine preheat switch is turned on. That circulates the hot coolant through the engine loop.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: running aqua hot while driving.

Reply #7 –
There is a switch under your kitchen cabinet with all the other switches that if you turn on the night before, will circulate hot water through the engine, making it easier to start in the morning and warm up quicker!  There are three switches together;  diesel, 115 electric and engine heat, all used for running the AH.  Flip the engine heat on the night before travel. 
There is also a switch under the bed at the base , but I don't use this one, as it normally is cold when leaving and the circulating of hot water through the engine seems to work the best for us.  We also run the Aqua Hot down the road and leave the electric side off when doing this, unless you are running the generator too.  Hope this helps.  When we were heading up here to Yellowstone, the temps in Pocatello, ID got down in the single digits and I ran the circulating pump for the AH engine heat the night before and engine did not struggle, started right up and we were good to go!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: running aqua hot while driving.

Reply #8 –
I find running using the Aqua-hot to heat the engine a couple of hours is enough to heat the engine so it fires right
up a 0 F.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: running aqua hot while driving.

Reply #9 –
Peter, we run the AH on Diesel while driving when it is cold outside (for us that is usually below freezing).  The AH on electric only will keep our coach in the barn at 40° and the basements warm enough even if it is zero outside.  A few days before we leave temps get turned up a bit while we are loading.  The night before we leave the diesel come on (exhaust routed outside of the barn) temps get set to 70 or so and engine preheat gets turned on.  In the morning the coach is warm, engine is warm, preheat off, starts easily, coolant is at 90 something. 

Electric AH only works when landline or generator is running.  No need to turn it on while driving. Use the diesel burner for heat. Set the thermostat in the front to 75 or so, heat from the dash air will make it think the LR is warm enough and it will shut the AH heat exchangers off. 

While driving the engine alone will heat the AH coolant to about 145°. 

If we have been somewhere for a while an it is cold out (less than 40) then a couple hours of preheat in the morning makes starting easier on everything.  Use diesel, electric won't keep up with heating the engine.

I added a an AH tank temperature sensor behind the AH tank thermostats and a gauge (red)  in the kitchen next to the AH switches. It helps know what the AH is doing and managing it much easier.  The blue gauge is hot water temperature at the water manifold.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: running aqua hot while driving.

Reply #10 –
Gauges look OEM. Nice.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: running aqua hot while driving.

Reply #11 –
Roger, do you have a source for the gauges?
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: running aqua hot while driving.

Reply #12 –
Aqua Hot Temperature Guage

Source is Summit Racing.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G2984-1B
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G2984-1S
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G2984-1

You need brass fittings for the temp sensors for the water manifold. The one behind the AH thermostats will just fit in there snuggly.  The sensors need to be grounded.

Power to my kitchen gauges comes from the indicator light on the water pump switch.  Water pump latching relay is on an adjustable timer so that it shuts off automatically. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: running aqua hot while driving.

Reply #13 –
Quote
The one behind the AH thermostats will just fit in there snuggly.

Roger, great project.  Something I've been wanting to do.  Can you say a little more about installing the temp sensor behind the t'stat?
Larry Rubin
2004 U295 38' build 6278
2014 Jeep Cherokee
 

Re: running aqua hot while driving.

Reply #14 –

Larry, the temp sensor screws into a 1/2" brass fitting that comes with it.  I used just the sensor with the plus wire attached to the threaded stud on the end. The ground wire was attached to a screw holding one of the thermostats in place under the AH Thermostat cover plate. The sensor was inserted between the plate that holds the AH thermostats and the AH tank. It is a snug fit.  The wire is a duplex pair of 18ga tinned wires with a white cover.  It fits under the cover plate and is routed back through the bay, through the floor into the kitchen cabinet and up to the gauge.

I don't have a picture of the sensor in place.

This is Ancor wire, probably the best you can get.  There are other similar duplex cables.
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Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN