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Topic: Aqua Hot - Water Heating Issue (Read 973 times) previous topic - next topic

Aqua Hot - Water Heating Issue

First time out camping. I had the electric only on. From what I read it will heat the water as well. We did get warm water not hot. I turned on the Auqa Hot and really no difference. Now that I am home and had a chance I checked with only the Auqa Hot and I get no hot water. Everything else with the Auqa Hot works fine. Heat works and good exhaust.
I found the following post from the searches I did

Aqua Hot system mixing valve
Aqua Hot hot water

First, how the heck can you even get to the knob on the mixer valve. I can barely get two fingers on it. I was not able to turn the knob at all. I assume this is the issue. I was hoping to adjust it based on the above post in the hopes it would resolve the issue. If I have to take it apart I might as well replace it. But all the links to replacements no longer work. Maybe someone has an updated one?
If I have to replace this it looks like I have to disassemble a good chunk of the Aqua Hot unless I am missing something. Just looking for some advise to be sure I am on the right track.
Thanks Jeff
Jeff & Carolyn
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel

Re: Aqua Hot - Water Heating Issue

Reply #1 –

Here is the link and yes you have to remove the burner. Just replace the guts. or buy the repair kit.

Mixing Valve, Lead Free Brass: Pipe Fittings: Amazon.com: Industrial &...

Watts 1/2 in. to 3/4 in. Repair Kit for Lead-Free Tempering Valve - - Amazon.com

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
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: Aqua Hot - Water Heating Issue

Reply #2 –
The recommended procedure is to replace the guts into the old housing as it is a lot easier. There was a post
in the last couple of months of somebody doing that. 
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Aqua Hot - Water Heating Issue

Reply #3 –
Quote from: oldguy –
The recommended procedure is to replace the guts into the old housing as it is a lot easier. There was a post
in the last couple of months of somebody doing that. 
I think I found the post you are referring to
Aqua Hot Mixing Valve
Jeff & Carolyn
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel

Re: Aqua Hot - Water Heating Issue

Reply #5 –
Do you have the repair manual for your model AH?  If not , download from Internet.  Very helpful with AH issues. Maybe one of your thermostats has failed? Very easy to check with a multimeter.  Had this problem on both electric and diesel with different thermostats. There's a way to check if your electric element has failed. Had this happen also. PITA to repair. Have to drain all the heat transfer fluid out of the tank. Contact Rudy for more help and advice.
David & Sherry Kendrick
"Gizmo" The Doggy Lama
USAF(Ret) 1971-75; 1979-95 (20 yrs)
2003 U320 F03 [6179] 38PBDS (3/2016)
2016 Chev Silverado Z71 LTZ
Motorcade 17738
--------------------------------------
New Horizons 5W 25' RKS (1/2004 - 3/2016)
2003 Chev Silverado 2500HD Duramax
Tent (5-person) White Stag (1972 - 2003)

Re: Aqua Hot - Water Heating Issue

Reply #6 –
If he is getting good room heat from his Aqua-hot the thermostats should be fine. I had to replace
the electric thermostat on my coach and mine was easy to replace, no draining. Maybe the newer ones
are different.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Aqua Hot - Water Heating Issue

Reply #7 –
Yea I performed the following test from Rudy in one of the above threads and it does look like the tempering valve.

To check this out, heat the heater up to temperature.  When the diesel burner cycles off, heater is up to temp.  Turn on a sink, not shower, hot water faucet and check the temp of the copper pipe coming from the Aqua Hot tank to the tempering valve.  This can easily be to hot to hold onto.  Then check the temp of the hot water leaving the heater going up into the coach.  If first line stays real hot and water to coach cools off, replace the tempering valve guts.
Jeff & Carolyn
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel

Re: Aqua Hot - Water Heating Issue

Reply #8 –
Latest update. Got the burner out. Tried to get the guts out of the tempering valve. Using a pair of channel locks. It will not budge. Just marring up the metal. I did get the knob to move. Hoping that would solve the issue but with it adjusted all the way to the coil side I just get warm water, not hot. I guess I have to get this apart.
I wanted to get suggestions before I break something? If I apply heat I know I am committed since this has O-rings in it.
Jeff & Carolyn
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel

Re: Aqua Hot - Water Heating Issue

Reply #9 –
The brass body of the Watt tempering valve is rugged.  Get vice grips on the ring to remove the guts and back up body with channel lock pliere.
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: Aqua Hot - Water Heating Issue

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Rudy –
The brass body of the Watt tempering valve is rugged.  Get vice grips on the ring to remove the guts and back up body with channel lock pliere.
Thank you Rudy!! This forum is awesome.

For anyone else running into this situation. Rudy is right! It is rugged. I had to put vice grips on as tight as possible. Braced with channel locks like suggested. I literally had to beat on the vice grips and finally it came loose.
Put new guts in and voila I have hot water now and no leaks. I was worried about leaks as hard as I was beating on the vice grips.
Wife thinks I am a hero or something. LOL
Jeff & Carolyn
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
 

Re: Aqua Hot - Water Heating Issue

Reply #11 –
No, that would be Rudy!
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel