Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 09, 2025 ...

Aqua hot

February 05, 2020, 09:29:44 pm

  I have been having a problem with running out  of hot water for showers. . local mobile repair says I " may" need all sorts of parts.....which would total up to many thousands.  He told me my control module was most likely bad , so he installed a loaner for a few days.....telling me a new one is near 1,000 dollars.... This Am we only had one zone working, temps were in the thirties. he came out and " hand spun" the pumps as they were stuck, telling us to turn up thermostat to 90...and sure enough the other zones started working. ...So , his thoughts is we need new pumps , which may not be available without modifications....I still have less than endless hot water ether way.  last season we had same problem , deminissing hot water for more than two showers. local shop did a fix by cleaning " intermeadate valves " , what ever that was....telling me that my system was old and might be in the future replaces due to lime and scale in the water heating tubes.....not sure what I need to do other than replace everything, and , I come from the school , if it's not broken , do not replace it !  Aqua hot systems arevery expensive , I just wonder ..........

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Re: Aqua hot

Reply #1 – February 05, 2020, 09:34:11 pm

Contact Rudy:

Log in

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Re: Aqua hot

Reply #2 – February 05, 2020, 10:43:13 pm

I agree with Brett, call Rudy!  In the meantime you can let the aquahot cool down and pull the radiator cap to make sure the tank is full of coolant.  Also make sure the plastic overflow tank is full.  If not then the hose from overflow tank to aquahot probably has a leak.  Then under the Webasto diesel burner you can see a black knob attached to copper pipe.  This is the tempering valve, mark it's position then turn it in both directions a few times and put back in original position.  If the tempering valve is bad you can buy another one, made by Watts, and use that to replace the guts.  These are 2 of the most common problems.
My understanding is that the silver control box controls the Webasto burner.  Not sure if it controls the pumps or not, Rudy knows!

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Re: Aqua hot

Reply #3 – February 05, 2020, 11:18:17 pm

Darstar,
Update you profile signature with your coach info.  This will give Rudy and everyone a better idea of what you have.
John M.

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Re: Aqua hot

Reply #4 – February 05, 2020, 11:23:35 pm

Another question.  Are you hooked up to city  water?  If yes, and outside temps are low you may just be running out of hot water, especially if you are running water full blast.

My aquahot does very good if using water out of tank with water pump.  It does not keep up if on city water supply.  Try turning the shower control down to half (which should provide decent pressure and volume) see if that helps with hot water lasting longer.

Search for aquahot there was a discussion a week or two ago about temp rise (55*F I think) and BTU rating.  People think it provides unlimited hot water, but that isn't totally true.  It depends on the flow rate.

Regarding parts.  If your Aquahot is not failing and shutting off and won't restart without flipping switch off and back on, it probably isn't the control box.  It could be mixing valve. but I don't think so. 

Rudy can provide expert advice.

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Re: Aqua hot

Reply #5 – February 06, 2020, 05:13:04 am

Ok , but , who is Rudy .?  guess I must have missed something along the way....nothing unusual.    I see now........( Rudy ) a guy here at buckhorn gave me his name too last week....excuse my inept....

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Re: Aqua hot

Reply #6 – February 06, 2020, 05:32:47 am

Rudy works on Aqua hot. He lives near Houston. He fixed my Aqua hot last month. Took him about 5 minutes to diagnose the problem.
You can call him and tell him the problem. He'll give you some quick tests and might be able to figure out what the problem is. If you are in the Hill Country, that's not a long trip to him to get your Aqua hot sorted.

There is also another person on the forums that also works on Aqua hot that lives near the Texas Hill Country.

MIke 

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Re: Aqua hot

Reply #7 – February 06, 2020, 06:52:17 am

Rudy is THE MAGIC MAN for all things aqua hot. He has saved my bacon a couple of times. His knowledge is immense and his giving of his time and expertise is beyond anything that I have experienced before. A true gentleman and scholar. You can find his profile by going to  the header bar above, community, ,members and finding Rudy in the alphabetic listing.

Larry

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Re: Aqua hot

Reply #8 – February 06, 2020, 08:28:02 am

Call the Aqua Hot expert Lloyd DeGer he is really good and will answer your questions and will come to you to fix it if you want him to. Here is his number, you won't be sorry you called. Cell 501-258-8426, Home number 501-590-5648 Llyod is located in Arkansas I believe.
Sagre

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Re: Aqua hot

Reply #9 – February 06, 2020, 08:43:26 am

darstar,  I have sent you a PM.  And, Lloyd DeGerald is very good too.  He is located in Little Rock, AR. and generally goes to the desert in the winter.

 I am on the east side of Houston in Baytown.  Have a 50 amp plug if you stop by here.

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Re: Aqua hot

Reply #10 – February 06, 2020, 10:17:20 am

I'll second what Larry (ohsonew) said about Rudy!  Great guy and knows AH systems.  Good luck in your search for problem with unit.

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Re: Aqua hot

Reply #11 – February 06, 2020, 01:17:09 pm

Lloyd and his son Brian are currently in Quartzite, I talked to Brian this morning and they plan to be in Phoenix area around the 17th of month.
Chris

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Re: Aqua hot

Reply #12 – April 20, 2020, 04:01:15 pm

https://youtu.be/HKMhEA-rDYI

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Re: Aqua hot PROBLEM

Reply #13 – August 24, 2020, 10:39:20 am

Hi all,
I am the new guy to class A motorhomes and just purchased a1998 U320 4000 which so far I love.
Noticed the ride and drivability is exceptional!

The previous owner serviced the AQUA HOT yearly and a far as I know was done late in 2019.
I am having a problem "firing" it up though. At this time I just want the aqua hot for hot water, not heat in the coach,

I start the generator, turn the comfort controller (Duo) to cool to start the air conditioners, fan on high and turn the 115 and the diesel switch for the AH on. After about 15-20 seconds the diesel light goes off, although the electric light stays on. Checking the exhaust there is no air coming out of it which means it is not running. If I reset the diesel to off and then to on the same thing occurs,,,,the light goes out after 2 seconds.
What is the issue...Can anyone elaborate on this?
Peter

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Re: Aqua hot

Reply #14 – August 24, 2020, 11:24:42 am

Hi Peter. Welcome to the forum. For all things Aqua Hot, Rudy is the man on the forum. If he doesn't chime in, send him a message. He does get busy, but a finer gentleman you will not find. He has saved my bacon several times, always over the phone.

Larry

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Re: Aqua hot

Reply #15 – August 24, 2020, 01:23:54 pm

Peter sent me a PM while I was outside.  Told him to service the burner to see if the most ususal fix works.  There are other parts that will cause his symptom but servicing the burner is easy, inexpensive and gets one possible problem out of the way.

If the burner continues to not fire, more checking will be needed.  I do not have a free cell phone for Canadian phone calls.  Costs a bunch to talk to someone north of the border.  So messaging is the only way to assist him unless he wishes to cover the costs.

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Re: Aqua hot

Reply #16 – August 24, 2020, 04:28:39 pm

Question for Rudy....
I usually keep our coach in storage for four months. One year, even after firing up the AH every two weeks or so, the nozzle gummed up. In order for me to fire up the AH, I have to travel thirty miles away to where it is stored.
What I want to know is......can I install an old nozzle during storage and just replace it when we begin our travels again, or will other parts be effected in a negative way, if I don't exercise the unit?
It may be more of a PIA to do this, but it's just a thought.
Thanks

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Re: Aqua hot

Reply #17 – August 24, 2020, 05:02:29 pm

Glenn,  The new nozzle is the old nozzle as soon as it is installed.  The diesel on the new nozzle is ready to congeal after 30 days or so.  You can not clean the nozzle and they are cheap.  So, just store the coach as long as you wish and plan a burner service when you put it back in service.

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