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Topic: Hot weather camping with an Aqua-Hot (Read 776 times) previous topic - next topic

Hot weather camping with an Aqua-Hot

This is our first summer traveling with our new-to-us U320 in hot weather as we are staying in the deep south for much of the summer for family reasons. The basement stays pretty hot in these conditions with the Aqua-Hot on - 90s outside temps and the basement (compartment closest to A-H) is about 100 degrees. The basement exhaust fan is running constantly. Other than shutting down the A-H and taking cold showers, is there any other solution - can't leave the basement doors open due to mud dabbers and the like.

Previous coaches had propane hot water heaters so they did not heat up the surrounding area as much as the A-H. Thinking we'll just have to live with it but hoping there is another answer. Also have a July Nac trip to look forward to for slide bladder replacement (sigh). This good news is the coach interior is comfy as the ACs have no problem keeping up with this hot weather. Even did OK on 30 amps and one AC at the Elks lodge but we were in a shaded spot. Now parked out in the sun at our daughter's farm but we've got 50 amps here.

Jeff & Patricia
Rescue dog Molly
Previous Foretravel owner

Re: Hot weather camping with an Aqua-Hot

Reply #1 –
Jeff, imagine your scenario plus the heat from a 100# electric deep freeze. We have never had a problem so far with the electric heat running the AquaHot. I do crack the door on the large basement compartment where the freezer lives to provide some extra air circulation.
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: Hot weather camping with an Aqua-Hot

Reply #2 –
Personally, I would not worry about it...100 is not a problem.. Just left Tucson and bays were way higher....110 outside...but, I am an old "MAD" magazine subscriber....:WHAT ME WORRY?
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: Hot weather camping with an Aqua-Hot

Reply #3 –
Quote from: 2Escapees –
This is our first summer traveling with our new-to-us U320 in hot weather as we are staying in the deep south for much of the summer for family reasons. The basement stays pretty hot in these conditions with the Aqua-Hot on - 90s outside temps and the basement (compartment closest to A-H) is about 100 degrees. The basement exhaust fan is running constantly. Other than shutting down the A-H and taking cold showers, is there any other solution - can't leave the basement doors open due to mud dabbers and the like.

Previous coaches had propane hot water heaters so they did not heat up the surrounding area as much as the A-H. Thinking we'll just have to live with it but hoping there is another answer. Also have a July Nac trip to look forward to for slide bladder replacement (sigh). This good news is the coach interior is comfy as the ACs have no problem keeping up with this hot weather. Even did OK on 30 amps and one AC at the Elks lodge but we were in a shaded spot. Now parked out in the sun at our daughter's farm but we've got 50 amps here.

We lived the first two years fulltime in our coach parked in Las Vegas. We hit temperatures around 115 degrees many times. If your have you exhaust fan running, then that is all you can do. We usually opened that door a bit to help circulate air. I see from your post, you cannot. We always left our Hydro hot off and only turned it on when needing hot water for a shower.
Steven & Anna Lindemann
2012 Prevost  H3-45 VIP
2007 Foretravel 40' Nimbus
2014 Cadillac Escalade

Private/Charter Bus Driver-Owner
30 Years of Driving the Stars of Nashville

Re: Hot weather camping with an Aqua-Hot

Reply #4 –
Jeff, have you tried just using the electric heating element by itself?
 That should be enough.
  Richard B
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Hot weather camping with an Aqua-Hot

Reply #5 –
If the bay is at 100F, you may not need a water heater at all. You might try using water from the fresh water tank for showers. Turn off the shore water until you need to refill the fresh water tank.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Hot weather camping with an Aqua-Hot

Reply #6 –
When we were parked in Tucson and the ambient temp hit 105+ outdoors during the day, the "cold" water coming out of the faucet and being drawn from our fresh water tank was 104 degrees in the mid-afternoon.  We never even turned the Aquahot on and just relied on the elec element to heat the hot water tank if necessary.  Honestly, I think we could have done without that, as well!!
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs
 

Re: Hot weather camping with an Aqua-Hot

Reply #7 –
I am relieved to see that a hot basement is pretty normal in this climate with the A-H on. I did switch it to electric only and that helped a bit. It has also been somewhat cooler the last couple of days (in the mid 80s) and the bay temp has come down - the exhaust fan has stopped running also.

We'll enjoy this "cool" spell while it lasts or until we hit Nac next week. :D

Jeff & Patricia
Rescue dog Molly
Previous Foretravel owner