Aqua-Hot finally fixed

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Aqua-Hot finally fixed

February 14, 2018, 11:37:13 pm

I've had my Aqua-hot serviced twice in the last two years at FOT and both times it spit, belched and smoked. The tech told me the thing needed to run and would smoke a bit for a while...... We live nearly 500 miles from FOT so it wasn't like I could run back down the street to have them look at it a month later when it didn't quit. We were on the way to Florida when the burner quit firing. I inquired at a couple of places and they didn't sound promising as to their qualifications so I elected to wait until I got back to Texas. I called Rudy Legett and he told me where to meet him in Baytown.

Rudy crawled in, took the cover off and pushed on the burner and it moved. He said that was the problem as it was loose (real loose) and was sucking air. He removed the burner chamber and it had gotten so hot the inside was starting to melt and deform. Also the end had started to crack. He said the crack wasn't too bad yet but I elected to go ahead and replace it. I crawled in and watched while he schooled me on how to service it myself. A hundred questions later he put it back together, fired it up and it ran fine. We turned it off but the aqua-hot continued to run. He said it was a bad brainbox. Dangggggggg! He explained the difference between the new black box and the old silver box so I elected to go with the remanufactued silver box.

The thing now runs better than It ever has and I've learned a valuable lesson as where not to take it for service. They had two chances to get it right so now I'll go else where. I'm a few pounds lighter in the pocket book but just happy it's finally fixed right. We went to lunch with Rudy and Carolyn and then they invited us out to their place for a ride on the barge. Good times.

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #1 – February 15, 2018, 11:10:57 am

Quote

I've learned a valuable lesson as where not to take it for service.

That's pretty much my feeling as well. They can do some good work but in my experience most of their work is sloppy and unprofessional. I think it is attributable to a lack of supervision and quality control. A supervisor does not inspect and approve the work before the rig is turned over to the customer.
jor

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #2 – February 15, 2018, 01:39:30 pm

RUDY is the man.. He has helped me on a couple of occasions and he didnt complain lol.. He is a great help and an awesome person!!

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #3 – February 15, 2018, 09:38:42 pm

I have plans to go visit Rudy soon and try to take in some of his wisdom. Talked to him on the phone last December, he sounds like a hoot. I live about 15 miles from him

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #4 – February 16, 2018, 08:05:58 am

Can you educate me on the difference between the new black box and the remanufactured silver box

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #5 – February 16, 2018, 08:30:59 am

Vectra,
From what little I know it seems that the black box is somewhat more problematic than the old silver boxes. Some seem to think it has to do with heat, it being mounted inside the aqua-hot case. I talked with a guy quit having problems with his black box after relocating his outside the case. I was told the older silver boxes were a little more reliable and still carried a six month warranty (by the installer in my case). I'm sure someone with a lot more knowledge will chime in on the subject.

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #6 – February 16, 2018, 08:34:49 am

The black box is an updated version of the silver box at twice the price. I tried the upgrade about a year ago and had no success. The black unit was problematic. Went back to a rebuilt silver and have had no issues since.

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #7 – February 17, 2018, 09:31:13 am

Where is Rudy located and what is the best way to contact him? Thank you

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #8 – February 17, 2018, 10:52:31 am

It is true that not every tech at Foretravel is heads up on the Aqua- Hot , same as all other shops anywhere . But they do have a couple that are in fact as good as you would expect good to be . When I go in for service , I always ask --Who is your best tech for this ---and specify that is who I want to work on my coach . If that Tech is booked full , I ask when ---oh,--in about 2 hours or so . Rudy is good , no doubt , but not the only guy on this . When it gets right down to it , Aqua Hot is really not all that complex , but you either know it or you don't . I am not beating Foretravel's drum either , just my dealings about this subject . Brad Metzger

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #9 – February 17, 2018, 12:47:38 pm

Looking on the AquaHot site, the only authorized service center in Nacogdoches is at MOT. Interesting...

http://www.aquahot.com/Service-Help/Service-Locations.aspx

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #10 – February 18, 2018, 10:14:36 am

Quote from: CDM 2005 36' U270 – February 17, 2018, 09:31:13 am

Where is Rudy located and what is the best way to contact him? Thank you

If you click the link above on Aqua Hot Service Locations, zoom into the Houston, TX area, and Rudy is the link in Baytown, TX.

RV Hydronic Service
Mobile Authorized Service Center
713-818-3234
Baytown, TX

He's the best. And the nicest.

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #11 – February 18, 2018, 11:09:50 am

My experience with our certified Aqua Hot guy is the same as Doug and Amanda's. We use Lloyd deGerald. He lives just outside Hot Springs, AR. Really a nice fellow. Currently, I believe he is in residence in Quartzsite...or was, anyway. He travels all over the place. He once told us of traveling almost to the northern U.S. border to service a unit. ....can you imagine the service call fee?! 😳

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #12 – February 18, 2018, 02:59:07 pm

Three folks I trust to work on my AH ... Rudy, John Carrillo and myself. Rudy taught me what I need to know and when I was out west and needed some help he recommended John Carrillo in the Denver area who has proven to be very good too.

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #13 – February 19, 2018, 09:39:29 am

John just worked on my AH while at Quartzite (he is there every year)

Roger Berke, Rudy and John C - all will get it right the first time.

I have had guys fix it poorly, and I have had one guy fix it right (eventually) after throwing a LOT of parts at it - figured out it was the dead algae in my tank getting through the very fine AH fuel filter and causing issues -

Removed tank, steam cleaned and re installed - that issue went away.

As Roger said, John is very good, his shop is across the road from AH in the Denver area and he was a long time AH employee before he ventured out on his own

Rudy is legendary on the forum for his knowledge, service work and generously helping AH owners not in the Houston area over the phone.

Roger Berke is a long time contributor that operates an RV diesel heat user forum and sells AH parts on-line.

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start

TCER Direct generator-gas-prod 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #14 – February 19, 2018, 11:05:14 am

When we first got our 2001 U320, we had to call a mobil repair to work on our AH. I knew that we had a bad mixing valve. It wouldn't turn. The mobil repair replaced EVERYTHING, new thermostats, and even a new silver box ( you know how much they cost ). We even ran 3 gallons of vinegar through the system. He never repaired the mixing valve, though. Don't know why. Spent some BIG money. While at Quartzite this year , we got John to finally fit us into his VERY BUSY schedule. I watched him as he performed our yearly service and rebuilt the mixing valve. AH works like a charm now. I want to do the annual service myself, if John can't be scheduled in. There is a "hard to get at" bolt in the back of the unit, but aside from that, the process is straightforward. Even pulling the chamber to wire brush the soot buildup. Once you get over the contortions you have to go through, you'll be fine. There's a video on You Tube that is helpful, as well. Happy Trails........

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #15 – February 19, 2018, 12:23:51 pm

I exercise the mixing valve periodically as they tend to freeze up if not rotated. I bought the whole valve, removed the guts and put them in the one on my coach when I bought it, as I had problems before on my Monaco and wanted to start out fresh.

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #16 – February 19, 2018, 01:09:23 pm

Did annual service about 3 months ago; and religiously run the aquahot 20-30 minutes at least once every month while in storage. Just before the cold snap here in Atlanta, ran it and it ran fine. Yesterday, tried the switch in the kitchen and it stayed illuminated for about 20-30 seconds; switch light went out, no aquahot start. Repeated, same result. Main fuel tank was at 1/4, so I had it filled; tried the aquahot again and still no luck. I will check the fuse box sometime today or tomorrow; and hope it gives me some clues; in the meantime would look forward to any troubleshooting suggestions.

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #17 – February 19, 2018, 01:42:04 pm

OK..dumbo question.
I have been shown where the mix valve is (under the blower motor).
How do I turn the black knob let alone reach it without removing the whole motor assembly?? .

EXE-100-02-s

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #18 – February 19, 2018, 02:06:37 pm

Fiddler,
The switch light will go out when there is a fault detected by the control box or the control box itself. I had the same issue which turned out to be the box. The fuel solenoid, flame detector, and even the motor speed can cause faults to happen. Make sure you have a solid 12+VDC supply. The A/H manual was very helpful in providing test procedures for all of the possible fault culprits.

Bob

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #19 – February 19, 2018, 02:26:54 pm

Quote from: saddlesore – February 19, 2018, 01:42:04 pm

OK..dumbo question.
I have been shown where the mix valve is (under the blower motor).
How do I turn the black knob let alone reach it without removing the whole motor assembly?? .

EXE-100-02-s

When I exercise mine I will post how I do mine, it ain't easy. Yours may be different also

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #20 – February 19, 2018, 03:16:11 pm

My mixing valve is very difficult to reach. Once you get your finger on it, remember that it is backwards to normal usage. Then....lefty loosey...righty tighty. I think. Got mine to a perfect temperature....tested with a heat gun.

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #21 – February 19, 2018, 03:52:10 pm

I use a thermometer at the bathroom sink to set the temp.

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #22 – February 19, 2018, 04:41:30 pm

Quote from: GleamB – February 19, 2018, 03:16:11 pm

My mixing valve is very difficult to reach. Once you get your finger on it, remember that it is backwards to normal usage. Then....lefty loosey...righty tighty. I think. Got mine to a perfect temperature....tested with a heat gun.

OK thnx, I'm not getting enough hot water (volume) at the shower, and sometimes at either sink.. must have gunk plugging up the works.

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #23 – February 19, 2018, 07:44:00 pm

Saddlesore,

Been busy all day today. The volume of water flow from the hot water facuet should be the same as from the cold water facuet. If hot flow is less, there is a restriction in the hot water line. If the restriction is in the heater, cleaning it out is a challange.

To determine the restriction's location, loop the cold water into the heater directly to the hot water out to the coach at the heater. If flow at facuet goes up, restriction is in the heater. Otherwise, the restriction is somewhere in the coach.

All the best sorting this out.

Re: Aqua-Hot finally fixed

Reply #24 – February 20, 2018, 01:53:21 am

@ Rudy.. THNX!...
As for the unit intermittently shutting off. at this point in time noticed that the rocker switch at the sink when I start to flip it off the bulb flickers on for just an instant as the rocker moves to the off position...Will try swapping the switch with the one for the engine heat... just to see if mebbe it is the switch that is the problem, not the AH ...at this point just throwing darts at the wall to see what sticks. and will see if I can massage the mixer valve just in case it isn't functioning like it should.

EXE-100-02-s
AH has..
new blower
new coil
new thermostats
new fuel pump
full service done (twice)
moved the filter to the AH bay (from up front left drivers side bay
new fuel and return hoses (complete- tank to filter to pump and return to tank )
replaced vent line from tank (roll over valve hose)

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