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Topic: How low a temp is an operating Aqua Hot good for? (Read 1059 times) previous topic - next topic

How low a temp is an operating Aqua Hot good for?

I have a 2000 U320 and overnight our forecast for tonight has changed from 12 degrees to 1 degree.  We're in souther New Mexico and use the coah periodically through the winter so we don't winterize and I keep the rear, front and bathroom thermostats set at 56 all winter and the water bay at 42.  We've already been down to 12 degrees without problem, but any special precautions when it dips down to 1 degree? I'd have to drive almost to Tucson to the west or San Antonio to the east to reach an area where it won't be below 10 degress tonight, and some of the roads already are either icy or some covered so that's not a real option
Thanks for any suggestions
Dan
2000 U320 40'

Re: How low a temp is an operating Aqua Hot good for?

Reply #1 –
Dan,

As long as you have diesel, 12 volts and the burner is operating properly, you are good to much lower temps.  The burner burns .5 gal of diesel when operating.  I would expect you to consume around 3 or maybe a little more gallons of diesel per day at low temps.

You might conserve heat by keeping slides in and window coverings down.

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: How low a temp is an operating Aqua Hot good for?

Reply #2 –
Thanks Rudy,  than eases my mind.  This is my first winter with the coach and I use it daily as my office, thus I bring it up to low '70s during the day and let it drop down to 56 at night and over weekends.  It hadn't occured to me that having the slide out would make a difference and I will retract it this morning.  Any idea how cold it has to get before the Aqua-Hot can't keep the bays above freezing ????

thanks again
Dan
Dan
2000 U320 40'

Re: How low a temp is an operating Aqua Hot good for?

Reply #3 –
Hi Dan,

Sorry I did not get back sooner.

To answer your question, I checked with Roger Berke and he and I do not know if Alaska right now will exceed a AH in a Foretravel that is being lived in with the interior at about 70 degrees.  So don't worry unless you choose to winter there and then we will check with Don Quintana at Aqua Hot in Ft Lupton to be sure.

This is using the diesel burner which is a 50,000 btu heat source vs the electric element which is only a 5000 btu heat source.  The electric by itself will not keep up in really frigid temps.

Stay warm.
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: How low a temp is an operating Aqua Hot good for?

Reply #4 –
Anyone know how cold is too cold for the electric burner to keep up with?  My coach stays in an enclosed metal shop and I try to avoid the diesel exhaust if at all possible.  Also, I assume that having the electric burner on with the fresh water tank empty is okay but would love someone to confirm that.
Gerard Caswell
Eunice, LA
2006 Phenix
2011 GMC Sierra P/U 4x4

Re: How low a temp is an operating Aqua Hot good for?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: lavocat –
Anyone know how cold is too cold for the electric burner to keep up with?  My coach stays in an enclosed metal shop and I try to avoid the diesel exhaust if at all possible.  Also, I assume that having the electric burner on with the fresh water tank empty is okay but would love someone to confirm that.

Gerard,

Just came in from out in the barn and the outside temp is 12  The bays are at 42 and we are on electric. We have 1 electric heater inside and the temp is 45. We have the fresh tank drained along with the water lines
Pamela
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: How low a temp is an operating Aqua Hot good for?

Reply #6 –
Gerald,

The 1645 watt 120 volt electric element is immersed in the Aqua Hot antifreeze tank.  Having the fresh water tank empty has nothing to do with the Aqua Hot unit.  The Aqua Hot unit has a 50 foot long fresh water loop to provide you with hot water.  This loop ALWAYS has fresh water in it unless RV antifreeze has been introduced in to the fresh water pipes.  Do not let this loop freeze, $10k to $12k oops.

If the building interior temps are in the low twenties and are staying there for hours and hours, the 5000 btu heat source provided by the electric element will be hard pressed to keep the interior temps above freezing.  Think heating the basement and interior of your coach with one electric space heater.

If the building interior is in the low twenties, I would suggest checking the interior temp of the coach and adding electric space heaters if you do not turn on the diesel burner.  If I were in your city with electric only Gerald, to be safe, I would want to know the interior temp of the coach.

We are having rolling blackouts in Houston.  While they do not last very long, a grid power failure that lasts for hours puts the coach at risk when the diesel burner is turned off in frigid temps.

If it would help anyone who would like to call and ask a question, I can be reached at 713 eight one eight 3234.
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: How low a temp is an operating Aqua Hot good for?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Rudy –
Gerald,

The 1645 watt 120 volt electric element is immersed in the Aqua Hot antifreeze tank.  Having the fresh water tank empty has nothing to do with the Aqua Hot unit.  The Aqua Hot unit has a 50 foot long fresh water loop to provide you with hot water.  This loop ALWAYS has fresh water in it unless RV antifreeze has been introduced in to the fresh water pipes.  Do not let this loop freeze, $10k to $12k oops.


Thanks for reinforcing my preference for having propane furnaces and water heater. Sometimes simple is better.

We are setting  in Edna, TX, 25 miles from the Gulf, and last night the temp got down to 21 degrees. The forecast for Thursday night is snow. This Global warming is just too darned cold. Global Warming? I'm starting to believe the scientists who think we are entering a mini-ice age. What is the best way to get the Foretravel to somewhere around the Equator? 
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: How low a temp is an operating Aqua Hot good for?

Reply #8 –
Rocket booster from Saturn missle.
1993 U300, 6v92
build 4366
USAF retired, Flight Engineer, C124, C130
 ATP, A & E.  & ex AI

Re: How low a temp is an operating Aqua Hot good for?

Reply #9 –
Kent,
You don't have to go all the way to the equator...just travel through Mexico into Guatemala, past Honduras & Nicaragua, then find yourself a nice beach on the Pacific side of NW Costa Rica.  You can't beat it.  Beautiful area and perfect weather year round, although I've only been there by flying & driving a car...not the motorhome.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: How low a temp is an operating Aqua Hot good for?

Reply #10 –
Rudy,
What is the inside diameter of that loop?
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: How low a temp is an operating Aqua Hot good for?

Reply #11 –
George,

The fresh water and engine heating loops are 1/2 inch copper pipe coiled to fit the Aqua Hot tank.
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: How low a temp is an operating Aqua Hot good for?

Reply #12 –
Splains why we never run out of hot water.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.