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Topic: Aquahot - Right now it's aquacold (Read 533 times) previous topic - next topic

Aquahot - Right now it's aquacold

I have never had the pleasure to see the diesel part of my AH work in the 4 months that I have owned the coach.The switch in the control panel won't light. Both AH breakers are ON.

Reading the manual now. [Update] After I checked the panel,  I tried the 30 second trick with the diesel button to try to reset the Low Battery Voltage light. That did not work. I did not try the reset at the Electronic Controller because I do not have a nonmetallic something to stick in there.

Is there anything else that I can check? The batteries are fully charged. I'm on 50 amps shore power. Temps at 55 degrees in beautiful PA.

I think my unit is the AHE-130-04X

It does work on electric. The first picture shows the fluid levels shortly after turning electric on. The last tank level picture is after running on electric for about 2 hour.
Peter and Patty
2004 4020 U320 PBBS
2017 17' Casita Spirit Deluxe
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Montague, N.J.

Re: Aquahot - Right now it's aquacold

Reply #1 –
1. Is the boiler full of fluid? Not just the overflow/surge tank?
2. Yours should have a boiler fluid level switch. It could be faulty.
3. The manual reset high temp. safety thermostat may have tipped.
This is just the first things that come to mind this A/M. Rudy should chime in later with some good info.

Mike

Now with the pics. it looks like you have a low battery fault light on. That may have something to do with your  problem.




Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: Aquahot - Right now it's aquacold

Reply #2 –
You have two problems.

One -- The low voltage light has the burner locked out.  There is a reset hole marked in the center toward the top.  Put a match stick into this hole and probe for the micro switch which will turn the light out.  The burner will now start (but I did not say fire)

Two --  Never using the burner for four plus months has allowed the diesel on the nozzle to begin to conceal.  The burner blower motor will start but 30 seconds later, I bet it fails to fire.  If it does fire, it could be very smoky.  Burner service will fix that which includes a new nozzle.

Having restored proper opearation, it is imperative you run the burner once per month or more, more is better.  But once per month will do.  This will keep fresh diesel on the nozzle and it will fire clean and clear for 2, 3 mabe 4 years before needing service again.
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 - Right now it's aquacold

Reply #3 –
After doing what Rudy suggests:

If the boiler fluid is fully heated by the electric, the diesel doesn't need to go on.  Doubt its the problem but suggest you try it with the electric off and having drawn hot water to cool the fluid. The full level shown on the overflow tank may not be the actual full level.  Mine is lower than the mark on the tank when fully hot and correct level.

Easy to check if the fluid level is ok by removing the tank filler cap and sticking something in.  Wait till it cools down to check.

Before the boiler fires up, the air blower turns on for a few seconds.  But then there can be a lot of things that prevent the diesel from firing.  Best to check them in sequence.    Its fairly straight forward to check things out but for me, it made a big difference after seining someone do it first.  After you taken the covers off?  Its easier to unscrew the bottom part first so the top part has some area to turn.

Do you have the shop manual?  Google "AH Shop Manual"
Larry Rubin
2004 U295 38' build 6278
2014 Jeep Cherokee

Re: Aquahot - Right now it's aquacold

Reply #4 –
The magic match resets status light. The diesel switch inside the coach lights up. Burner starts but no smoke of any color coming out the pipe. I'm guessing I'll need service on it. I plan to be in your area at FT around April. Do you still service AH?
Peter and Patty
2004 4020 U320 PBBS
2017 17' Casita Spirit Deluxe
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Montague, N.J.

Re: Aquahot - Right now it's aquacold

Reply #5 –
Quote
Burner starts but no smoke of any color coming out the pipe.

Does the burner stay on till the fluid is fully hot (exhaust at the pipe is hot, not just blowing air), then turns off and then the blower stays on for about 10 seconds?
Larry Rubin
2004 U295 38' build 6278
2014 Jeep Cherokee

Re: Aquahot - Right now it's aquacold

Reply #6 –
Peter, I'll be here if you can stop by near Crosby TX east of Houston.

Larry, the firing sequence is always -- blower motor starts for 30 seconds (never starts and fires immediately), then fuel and ignitor turned on which usually results in firing.  The control unit watches the flame sensor for a report of firing for 5 or 6 seconds.  If firing is reported, ignitor turned off and firing continues till the control thermostat is satisfied or burner switch is turned off.  At that time the blower runs for 3 minutes to cool the system, each time and every time.  The blower never stops when the firing stops.

If no fire is reported, the fuel is turned off, the interior switch light is turned off and the blower cools for the 3 minute period every time.
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 - Right now it's aquacold

Reply #7 –
Quote
Larry, the firing sequence is always

Thanks Rudy ---
Larry Rubin
2004 U295 38' build 6278
2014 Jeep Cherokee

Re: Aquahot - Right now it's aquacold

Reply #8 –
Two questions here.

First, is this panel something optional or only comes with certain models?  I don't have anything like that, but it sure looks nice to give the info about what is going on.  I have a AHE-100-02S.

Second, if the coach is on shore power and the electric element is on and has brought the system to operating temperature, if he turns the diesel switch on, will it still fire at this point, if the tank is already at the target temp?  Does he need to "use some heat" and/or turn off the electric to get the tank temp down to where the burner will fire?
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Aquahot - Right now it's aquacold

Reply #9 –
It fired up. Thanks for the help from both of you.

I turned the electric element off. Then I drained some hot water. I flipped the diesel switch. Blower went on. Then, it fired up and some white smoke exhausted. Smoke then cleared. Ran for a few minutes and then turned itself off. I suspect it's up to temperature. I'll try running it again later.

How long should I try running it for that once a month exercise?
Peter and Patty
2004 4020 U320 PBBS
2017 17' Casita Spirit Deluxe
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Montague, N.J.

Re: Aquahot - Right now it's aquacold

Reply #10 –
Great!  I've been told you should run it through its cycle till it turns off by itself.  Rudy's the expert.  (Much of what I know comes from reading the manual and following his instructions. )
Also you might still get it serviced so you know where you're starting from. The service includes removing the combustion tube, cleaning and inspection.  Never hurts to have expert eyes look it over.

After seeing it done once, you should be able to do it yourself.
Larry Rubin
2004 U295 38' build 6278
2014 Jeep Cherokee

Re: Aquahot - Right now it's aquacold

Reply #11 –
Quote
First, is this panel something optional or only comes with certain models?  I don't have anything like that, but it sure looks nice to give the info about what is going on.  I have a AHE-100-02S.

I believe the panel is always there --- it's not just an indicator with a lot of lights.  It's also a major part of the controls.

Quote
Second, if the coach is on shore power and the electric element is on and has brought the system to operating temperature, if he turns the diesel switch on, will it still fire at this point, if the tank is already at the target temp?  Does he need to "use some heat" and/or turn off the electric to get the tank temp down to where the burner will fire?

It's been my experience that the diesel will not go on if the fluid is at its high temperature.  There is an internal sensor that tells the system when it is at high and turns off the diesel and/or electric because it's not longer needed and another sensor that looks for low temperature to tell the diesel; and/or electric to go back on. (Assuming you have them switched on.)
Larry Rubin
2004 U295 38' build 6278
2014 Jeep Cherokee

Re: Aquahot - Right now it's aquacold

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Larry Rubin –
I believe the panel is always there --- it's not just an indicator with a lot of lights.  It's also a major part of the controls.
The panel must have started in 2004, the year cucotx showed in the pic, my 2003 does not have this panel. With this panel it also has the normal control box like the older coaches like mine have.


Keith
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Aquahot - Right now it's aquacold

Reply #13 –
Quote
normal control box like the older coaches like mine have.

Can you send a picture?    I'm not familiar with older styles of AH controls.

UPDATE:  I did some basic research and now understand that earlier models don't have the board.  Lean every day
Larry Rubin
2004 U295 38' build 6278
2014 Jeep Cherokee

Re: Aquahot - Right now it's aquacold

Reply #14 –
Update: it took a few tries to get it going again. It's on now with lots of good healthy white diesel smoke coming out. I'm guessing I should let it run for a while? May be half an hour?

It took about 10 minutes for the white smoke to disappear. Now I have super healthy and good for the environment clear diesel exhaust.
Peter and Patty
2004 4020 U320 PBBS
2017 17' Casita Spirit Deluxe
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Montague, N.J.
 

Re: Aquahot - Right now it's aquacold

Reply #15 –
Quote
t's on now with lots of good healthy white diesel smoke coming out.

Aqua Hot smoking question

Larry Rubin
2004 U295 38' build 6278
2014 Jeep Cherokee