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Topic: Aqua Hot Diesel Temp Delta (Read 914 times) previous topic - next topic

Aqua Hot Diesel Temp Delta

You can run the Aqua Hot on diesel or electric or both.  I use the diesel when the electric is not sufficient to meet the heating needs when we are staying in the coach.  And my rule of pinkie finger has been to turn on diesel if the ambient drops to about 45 degrees.

I wonder though if the electric alone is sufficient if the difference between ambient and desired interior temperature is small?  Or is the need for the diesel triggered solely by the ambient temperature?

Example:  If ambient is 35 degrees and the coach inside temperature is set at 55 degrees, can electric only handle that or does it need the diesel to supplement?  (I am pretty sure the diesel has to be used if ambient is 35 degrees and you want 72 degrees in the coach).

Just curious, not a huge deal.
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Aqua Hot Diesel Temp Delta

Reply #1 –
When it gets cold I run both elec and Diesel together. The newer units with two electric heaters can mostly run on electric. 45 is not cold single digits are cold.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Aqua Hot Diesel Temp Delta

Reply #2 –
I am going to plug mine in tonight as the temps are getting low next week (30's). will the electric keep up if I want the coach to keep from freezing if I turn the thermostat to 45 degrees?

Re: Aqua Hot Diesel Temp Delta

Reply #3 –
Run interior heat till the electric can no longer keep you comfortable inside.  Then add the diesel burner.

As the outside temp desends, the electric element will be on 24/7 unless you lower the thermostat to a temp it can keep up with.  That temp will be to low for me but may be grand for 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: Aqua Hot Diesel Temp Delta

Reply #4 –
David S., that what I am trying to get to.  I want to be able to set the inside temp to about 55 and not be in it, so not know if electric can keep up or be comfortable and turn on the diesel if it not.....but rather can the electric keep the inside to say 55 or 60 without me having to go off and leave the diesel on and be inside to monitor it, IF the ambient is say 30 degrees?  As I will not be there to know, I am having to guess.....hopefully educated

I could just take the tact that as long as it is not freezing outside, do nothing.  But it is kinda not like my old  CJ2B jeep left out at the cabin in the forest....it just had to take whatever it became.  But Gus?  Just leave it real cold....oh no, momma not going to like that!

As John S  suggests, we are not all that cold here (to him, but 30 is to me!)  so I am planning for when we get to 20 for a couple of days, that is enough to do damage to the coach pipes.

Hope all are well and snugly warm....we may have to build a fire inside tonight, I think getting down to 40 degrees!




Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Aqua Hot Diesel Temp Delta

Reply #5 –
Turn them both on. Electric thermostat is higher temp than diesel. Diesel will only turn on if electric can't keep up and temp falls below diesel switch on temp. No need to get involved.
Assumes coach is not inside a structure......
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: Aqua Hot Diesel Temp Delta

Reply #6 –
Not to hijack but how many watts is the electric element. Up here the cost of the electricity could cripple you if left on for days at a time.
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Aqua Hot Diesel Temp Delta

Reply #7 –
Quote from: its toby –
Not to hijack but how many watts is the electric element. Up here the cost of the electricity could cripple you if left on for days at a time.
About 1600 watts, same as small 110v box heater. That's the reason you cannot heat coach and have hot shower in cold weather, without using diesel side.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Aqua Hot Diesel Temp Delta

Reply #8 –
You will be fine mike at 20 degrees if it is only for the night with electric but my rule of thumb has been if it goes below freezing I turn in the diesel. That burner heats up the basement as well as the vents and have not had an issue down to 6 below zero in the  winter.  Now starting the coach it sounded like it ate a toaster.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Aqua Hot Diesel Temp Delta

Reply #9 –
Oh and James t said set the inside heat at 65 or higher to insure the basement does not freeze,when I had propane but the AH has a thermostat in the basement you can adjust to I think about 55 degrees max
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Aqua Hot Diesel Temp Delta

Reply #10 –
Mike, in the 2001 coach with an AH (and earlier years with the same madel AH) the basement thermostat will call for heat at whatever temp you set it at.  If you set it to 40° for example and it drops below 40° where the thermostat is located then the AH pump for that zone will come on and the heat exchanger fans will come on.  This happens whether you have the AH electric or diesel on or not.  The thermostat does not appear to have an off position so with the AH off it will try to heat the bay with a cold supply from the AH. 

If you do not need to heat the bay then turn it to the lowest possible temp setting or as I did add a M/F multiwire plug in the wires leading to the thermostat to disable it.  This also makes removing that panel easier for service in that bay or winterizing the coach.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Aqua Hot Diesel Temp Delta

Reply #11 –
I thought that the bay heater was wired into the bathroom circuit?  If the bath thermostat is off so is the bay circuit?
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Aqua Hot Diesel Temp Delta

Reply #12 –
The electric circuits for bathroom and basement are separate.  The zone pump and coolant loop are the same.
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 Diesel Temp Delta

Reply #13 –
So the bay heater has no shutoff if either the 110 volt or diesel switch is on other than the off position on its face?  Did I remember correctly that the bay thermostat has an off position?
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Aqua Hot Diesel Temp Delta

Reply #14 –
In glancing at the basement thermostat, I have not seen an OFF position on the Non-Electronic Control Board heaters.  But I have not looked carefully at the thermostat for an OFF position either.

But turning the setting to Zero degrees would turn if off in all the places I go.  But this would not be true later this week in Duluth, MN, gonna be below zero up there for a while.
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 Diesel Temp Delta

Reply #15 –
I vaguely remember an "off"
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4
 

Re: Aqua Hot Diesel Temp Delta

Reply #16 –
My bay blower was struck on a couple of weeks ago and I forgot about the thermostat down there. Called Rudy and he reminded me where it was. Contacts were stuck closed. Cleaned and lubed them, now working. Did not see anyway to shut off completely. Appears to be a simple thermostat only.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.