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AquaHot in Summer

I have what may seem to be a inane question about AquaHot, but I'll ask it anyway.  I know it helps keep the MH warmer in cold situations and gives you a lot more hot water for showers and such, but what about when it's summer and you don't really want the heating but want the hot water?  Is there a way around that?

Re: AquaHot in Summer

Reply #1 –
Think of it as two systems with one boiler.

Water for Shower, etc., is an "open loop" system - water comes into the system from freshwater source and is routed by plumbing to faucets.

Water for heat is a "closed loop" system. That is water that is heated and circulated to small "radiators" (heat exchangers) on demand controlled by thermostat. Those heat exchangers have small nearly silent fans that blow across them to quietly heat the coach in all three zones (yes three zones...) and the bays, which are a fourth zone. If thermostat not set to furnace mode and calling for heat, the hot water does not circulate and the fans do not blow.

You may however notice that one spot in the floor of the coach is slightly warm, depending on the location of the AQ in the coach.

Remember, that the boiler only operates when heat or hot water is demanded by the thermostats or faucet.

More or less, that is how I understand it to work.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: AquaHot in Summer

Reply #2 –
If you are plugged to shore power, I believe that the AH has an electrical element to heat the potable water from either the fresh water tank or shore hook-up so the boiler does not have to operate unless you are boon-docking. Then again, I do not have AH, but it makes sense to me. Others may amplify, please.

Peter
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: AquaHot in Summer

Reply #3 –
In warm weather I use the electric part of the aqua hot for hot water and that works very well. The diesel portion will heat the water much faster and in cold weather is needed to provide the heating for the coach.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: AquaHot in Summer

Reply #4 –
Thank you, guys and gals.  That answers my question.  If and when I get to join you beautiful people on the road, it will be in a Foretravel withy Aquahot.

Re: AquaHot in Summer

Reply #5 –
Ivan,

The AH has a control thermostat for the 16 gallon antifreeze or coolant tank that turns on the diesel burner and/or the electric element to keep the tank at temperature all the time.  This control is independent of the interior controls and just keeps the tank at temp.

The interior thermostats control the heating for each zone and run a circulating pump and related fan coils to keep the temp for that zone per the thermostat setting.  This control is independent of the tank control and will not start or stop the heating of the tank by the burner and/or electric element.  Turning on the interior thermostats or using hot water will reduce the temp in the tank and the control thermostat for the tank will then turn on the diesel burner and/or electric element to keep the tank at temp.

The electric element will keep the tank at temp with out the need for the diesel burner as long as the heating demand is not large and a 5,000 BTU heat source can keep up with the heating demand.

The 50,00 BTU diesel burner will pick up when the electric element can not keep up with the heat demand such as when one is taking shower.

So when plugged at a RV park, turn both the diesel and electric element on.  In a low heat demand situation, leaving the diesel off is okay.  Just turn the diesel back on before taking a shower.

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: AquaHot in Summer

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Rudy –
So when plugged at a RV park, turn both the diesel and electric element on.  In a low heat demand situation, leaving the diesel off is okay.  Just turn the diesel back on before taking a shower.

I will add the observation that we seem to do fine in the summer with just the electric element for our hot water needs, as long as we allow 1/2 hour or so in between showers for the AH to recover.  At least once a month, though, we make sure to allow the diesel burner to be the source of hot water.  It's best for the diesel side of the AH to be exercised.  The burner, pumps, etc. are happier and healthier being cycled and seeing fresh fuel. 

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320