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Heating questions

October 06, 2012, 07:36:59 am

Getting cold here in the MO, so I thought I would check out the heating systems.  The AH system seems to work fine.  I have a few questions:

1.  When I switch to the Heat Strips in the AC units; nothing.  Should they turn on immediately and should the fan be running? Both air conditioners work. (Generator  power).

2.  Does the Bay Heating keep the water system and storage tank warm and above freezing?

Thanks, Mike

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Re: Heating questions

Reply #1 – October 06, 2012, 09:39:28 am

Mike,

The Aqua Hot Heater will keep the coach and basement above freezing as long as you have diesel and 12 vdc available.  So a full tank and being plugged into shore power helps if stored or running the gen each day or so to keep batteries charged if not plugged in.

If stored, have cabinet doors open to allow warm air into the plumbing in bathroom and kitchen.

The heat pumps are good only to 40+ degrees F plus the heat strips, if installed, do not heat the basement.

Lastly, do not allow the fresh water loop in the Aqua Hot to freeze.

Pumping pink rv antifreeze through the entire plumbing system will keep the coach water system safe during extend temps below freezing.  Don''t forget the clothes washer, ice maker and drinking water faucet.

Hope this helps you.

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Re: Heating questions

Reply #2 – October 06, 2012, 02:16:47 pm

Got the Heat strips working.  It seems that I need to run fan first, then kick in heat strips.
Question here:  I have a thermostat for bay heat in the water closet area.  Range is from 0 to 50 degree F.  What am I setting?  Outside air temp or temp in bays?

Thanks, Mike

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Re: Heating questions

Reply #3 – October 06, 2012, 04:30:24 pm

Mike,

This is the basement thermostat for the Aqua Hot system.  Aqua Hot Diesel Burner or Electric Element must be on for this thermostat to have heat to call on when the temp falls below the set point.  I recommend 40 or more degrees setting for this thermostat.

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Re: Heating questions

Reply #4 – October 06, 2012, 07:15:39 pm

Mike, My 1999 U320 has heat pumps not heat strips. Yours may be different but you may want to look as mentioned before the heat pump will not work in cold conditions it may actually damage the heat pump. The bay storage protection for the bay storage will not be operational if you are using the heat strips.
Don't let the aqua hot freeze as it could be a very expensive repair as in thousands!

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Re: Heating questions

Reply #5 – October 06, 2012, 07:34:54 pm

That makes an interesting question for Rudy:  If you let the Aqua Hot freeze up and burst the freshwater line, HOW expensive would you guess the repair cost would run ?
Last winter my Aqua Hot died so to keep it from freezing, I ran the electric element and the generator until I put it in the warm garage at home. Then Rudy did about a 100% rebuild about April or May in Megadoches @  the Mike H Coach Port. (under cover) 
I am thinking NEW replacement 
Dave M

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Re: Heating questions

Reply #6 – October 07, 2012, 12:30:42 pm

Dave, I  jsut talked to Rudy and it is about 6900 for a rebuilt and 9000 or so for a new 600 series plus labor for both of them.

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Re: Heating questions

Reply #7 – October 10, 2012, 11:24:53 am

For what it's worth.
Heat strips on a reverse cycle A/C Unit in a brick and mortar are prompted when the temp demands more than 5º . The reverse cycle pump will turn on when the temp drops 3º and shut off when temp reaches 1º over your thermostat setting. Quite often in a home A/C reverse cycle unit the only time the heat strips comes on is when the heat is first turned on, assisting the reverse pump to reach the set temperature. In otherwords it's a back up unit. This applies to both 220 central units and 120 wall units down here in the A/C capital of Florida.
Your mileage may vary.

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