Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Venting AquaHot exhaust  (Read 763 times) previous topic - next topic

Venting AquaHot exhaust

I have decided not to winterize my coach, and instead rely on the electrical heater portion of the AH to keep the system above freezing. However, if I wanted to run the diesel heater for the AH, would it cause any harm if I vented the exhaust outside by using a flexible metal hose of some sort, possibly a cloths-dryer exhaust hose?

 
Mike Brady
'97 U320 SE. #5137
'13 Honda Fit
Willow Springs, MO

Re: Venting AquaHot exhaust

Reply #1 –
Mike,

Venting outside is a great idea.

The exhaust temp is very hot (way hotter than a clothes dryer), so be sure the pipe you use does not get the penetration in the structure hot enough to burn.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Venting AquaHot exhaust

Reply #2 –
I would think that the exhaust would be way too hot for a clothes dryer hose!  I see a fire coming if you use one.  Google a search for regular car exhaust hoses and use one that is designed for that purpose.  They are not cheap either!

Car Guy Garage: Exhaust Hose
Crushproof Hose | Garage Exhaust Hose | Tailpipe Adapters | Garage Exhaust Parts
http://www.northernautoparts.com/ProductDetail.cfm?ProductId=392

Re: Venting AquaHot exhaust

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Yetch –
I have decided not to winterize my coach, and instead rely on the electrical heater portion of the AH to keep the system above freezing. However, if I wanted to run the diesel heater for the AH, would it cause any harm if I vented the exhaust outside by using a flexible metal hose of some sort, possibly a cloths-dryer exhaust hose?

 

Bill Willet gave a nice description of one that he built
Genturi
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Venting AquaHot exhaust

Reply #4 –
Steve, I am assuming that you store your coach inside with no heat in the building. I store my coach outside in East Tennessee and do not winterize. I, too, use the electric element of the AquaHot and set the thermostats, all at them, at 50 degrees. I like to be "ready to go"! I cannot imagine why you would want the diesel  unless you want to really warm it up or take a shower but if you do, get some of the hose that garages use to exhaust running vehicles in their shop (like Foretravel).
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: Venting AquaHot exhaust

Reply #5 –
I also keep the coach in the garage, I open a door at each end of bldg, run the Aqua Hot on diesel for a while, just to keep it exercised about once a month, otherwise it is on the electric element.  Plus I keep a 1200 watt electric heater sitting on floor in kitchen area, just to keep the A-H from turning on so often.  It has a thermostat and seems very happy for last 2-3 years, keeps coach ready to hit the road at a moments notice.  ;D
Works for me.
Dave M

Re: Venting AquaHot exhaust

Reply #6 –
How many amps would be required to have the battery charger and the electric element of the aquahot turned on with all the thermostats set to 50?  15, 20 or at least 30?  Just wondering...
The selected media item is not currently available.

Mark & Mary Benko
Former coach: 2005 U295 3823
Jeep Cherokee, Honda Fit

Re: Venting AquaHot exhaust

Reply #7 –
Mark,

With all fan coils, pumps and electric element running at the same time, 20 amp would be your answer.  They may not all be running at the same time, but when they are, the 15 amp breaker will blow and now everything is going to get cold.

The electric element is less than 14 amps AC power (I have measured them from 12.7 to 13.6 amps AC).  Running your inverter/charger to supply 12 vdc to the fan coils and pumps would be more than 2 amps in AC power so 15 would blow most likely when all pumps, fan coils and electric element are running.

No other large AC accessories can be run.  No heat pump, microwave or toaster oven for example.  A heavy duty power cord would be needed.  Your 50 amp or a 30 amp power cord with adapter at the 20 amp plug would be best to prevent voltage drop.

Plus, the batteries must be nearly fully charged.  If the coach has been sitting not plugged in and the coach batteries have been suppling power to the inverter for several hours, then when you plug in, the charging function of the inverter/charger will ramp up to 90 plus amps DC.  Now add the whole Aqua Hot system (coach below 50 degree set point) to that load and a 20 amp AC breaker will blow.

Hope this helps you.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Venting AquaHot exhaust

Reply #8 –
Hey the best way to keep everything charged and hot is to join us in Southern Cal and Az for the winter months. No winterizing et al. ;D

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers
 

Re: Venting AquaHot exhaust

Reply #9 –
Thanks Rudy.  That is a some real world info that a nonelectrician like me can understand!
The selected media item is not currently available.

Mark & Mary Benko
Former coach: 2005 U295 3823
Jeep Cherokee, Honda Fit