Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Topic: Aqua Hot system mixing valve (Read 1748 times) previous topic - next topic

Aqua Hot system mixing valve

July 11, 2013, 01:28:42 am

Hello, we are new owners to a 1999 U295 36 foot Foretravel. We have or had no hot water till I got under the motorhome and taped on the mixing valve. Now it is not cold or hot but just warm. I have heard to take the valve apart you need a special tool. Is this so? I am thinking of just taking the guts out of the vavle and mixing the hot and cold water at the sink or shower. Any suggestions from anyone?

John

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #1 – July 11, 2013, 03:00:37 pm

Rudy will chime in. He replaced the guts of our ah mixer value as we were running out if hit h2o. Works like a charm now!

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #2 – July 11, 2013, 03:15:38 pm

Quote from: John I. Smith – July 11, 2013, 01:28:42 am

Hello, we are new owners to a 1999 U295 36 foot Foretravel. We have or had no hot water till I got under the motorhome and taped on the mixing valve. Now it is not cold or hot but just warm. I have heard to take the valve apart you need a special tool. Is this so? I am thinking of just taking the guts out of the vavle and mixing the hot and cold water at the sink or shower. Any suggestions from anyone?

John

From Foretravel Motorcade Club Mid-South Chapter
If your AquaHot starts producing water that is only lukewarm, the following procedure will probably solve the problem:
1. Turn on the diesel burner and let it run until it shuts off automatically.
2. Take the cover off the AquaHot.
3. The mixing valve is located directly under the burner.
It has a large black knob on it that has a red mark on it.
Turn the valve counterclockwise (toward the tank) a quarter turn.
Check to see if the water is hot.
4. If this does not work, turn the valve all the way to the right, then all the way to the left, bringing it back to its original position.
5. If this does not work, the mixing valve needs a new kit.
It can be purchased from AquaHot .
Mixing Valve

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #3 – July 11, 2013, 08:10:04 pm

John,

I believe you have a model 431 heater. There is a brass colored mixing valve below the burner with a black knob to adjust the temp of the outgoing hot water. All as mentioned above by Barry.

If exercising the valve by turning the knob back and forth as noted by Barry, order the valve at Barry's link. When it arrives, remove the burner, unscrew the knurl nut that holds the guts in the valve body, remove the guts and replace with new from the new mixing valve. Do not worry with trying to unsolder the valve body. You only need new guts.

Set the new valve at the half way point to start. Exercise the valve once per year or more often.

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #4 – July 12, 2013, 04:26:10 am

Thanks guys for the reply on this matter. But before I do this, just one more question. Can I just take the guts out of the valve and not use them and mix the hot and cold water at the sink or the shower? Or is this not wise to do?

John

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #5 – July 12, 2013, 06:45:29 am

Without the guts your output water temp will fluctuate with the temp of the incoming water temp. Best to fix the valve. When exercising the valve, be careful to move it gently if it has frozen in place. Working it back and forth will free it. Being too aggressive will ruin the knurled knob.

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #6 – July 13, 2013, 07:26:26 am

Ok thanks, I knew there was a reason they did not leave the guts out to start with. Now I know, thanks again for the helpful info.

John

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #7 – July 15, 2013, 11:41:18 pm

got email from Roger Burke -

Interesting, instead of rebuild kit, Roger suggested I buy new valve, and replace all the "guts" of the old valve with the parts from the new valve, but forego installing new valve with attendant effort and labor. So I guess the kit leaves out some pices that come with the valve, but changing out the entire valve not necessary if you leave the body and change out everything else.

SOunds like a good mixing valve fix at a lower cost/hassle

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #8 – July 16, 2013, 12:50:36 pm

Without me going to the coach what would be the correct replacement mixing valve for my 97 320's aqua hot?

Thanks bob

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #9 – July 16, 2013, 01:06:38 pm

Bob,

The link to Roger's parts website is the valve for you.

Unscrew the knurl nut below the black knob, remove the guts and install in old valve body. Do not worry with un-soldering and re-soldering the body of the valve. You just need the guts and will be very happy with the results of replacing same.

Valve, Tempering, 120øF to 160øF, AH

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #10 – July 16, 2013, 01:26:21 pm

Rudy,it looks like they are using a 1/2 inch Watts 70 A F, pex supply has them for less than $50.00

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #11 – July 16, 2013, 02:02:48 pm

Bill,

Roger's parts come from Aqua Hot who sets the retail price. I am sure you can find some parts elsewhere at a lessor price.

The thing to consider is do you want to save some money and call Pex Supply for Aqua Hot help? Or, do you want to support the man that generously gives of his knowledge, experience and runs a free forum, all of which allow so very many folks to fix their heaters themselves.

DIY repair saves much more than a part purchase might. Diagnosing the correct part to replace is the crucial part of the process.

As my friend Dave M says, do what makes you smile.

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #12 – July 16, 2013, 07:32:23 pm

Prefer to support the forum pros who help us. Rudy is the source? Send me whatever info I need. Please.

Bob

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #13 – July 16, 2013, 07:59:22 pm

Bob,

Please use Roger's website for parts in the link I provided above. Thanks so very much for supporting Roger.

I have sent you a e-mail.

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #14 – July 16, 2013, 08:09:14 pm

Quote from: Rudy – July 16, 2013, 07:59:22 pm

Bob,

Please use Roger's website for parts in the link I provided above. Thanks so very much for supporting Roger.

I have sent you a e-mail.

Thanks. Buddy.

Bob

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #15 – July 19, 2013, 06:59:26 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – July 16, 2013, 08:09:14 pm

Thanks. Buddy.

Bob

Stupid location for the mixing valve on my coaches aqua hot. Facing away from the access door behind the boiler tank. Buddy exercised the valve and said it works ok. His comment was that the system has a built in restriction in the hot water output to allow continiously hot water rating. He also adjusted the valve for more hot water output. Apparently aqua hot is afraid of scalding so they intentionally adjust the output low. Better pressure with more hot and more cold to adjusts it temperature as I understand it.

Will keep Rogers part for a spare. And who knows after testing. You have to pull the boiler on mine to get to the valve.

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #16 – December 16, 2023, 07:07:44 pm

So my Aqua-Hot (AHE-100-02S) is not producing enough hot water. I highly suspect the tempering valve. We replaced the boiler fluid this year. The burner, and electric element were also replaced in Nacogdoches this summer.

When I go to look at the troubleshooting steps, mine is missing the knob.

It looks like I need to replace the valve. The refresher kit does not have the knob. Based on other posts, I'll get the whole valve and steal the guts.

1) Do I need to disconnect fuel lines to make the change?
2) Do I use teflon tape or flux on the threads?
3) Any suggestions on where to purchase?

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #17 – December 16, 2023, 09:52:13 pm

Quote from: ViewRVs – December 16, 2023, 07:07:44 pm

So my Aqua-Hot (AHE-100-02S) is not producing enough hot water. I highly suspect the tempering valve. We replaced the boiler fluid this year. The burner, and electric element were also replaced in Nacogdoches this summer.

When I go to look at the troubleshooting steps, mine is missing the knob. It looks like I need to replace the valve. The refresher kit does not have the knob. Based on other posts, I'll get the whole valve and steal the guts.

1) Do I need to disconnect fuel lines to make the change?
2) Do I use teflon tape or flux on the threads?
3) Any suggestions on where to purchase?

I just did mine 2 weeks ago.

Cool down the AH first. Pull the burner (10 mm socket, 10" extension, 2 nuts). Don't remove the 10 mm nuts, just loosen then swing the connection(s) off to the side. Set it aside (I did not pull fuel lines).

Service the burner while in there - new nozzle and clean combustion chamber. If you pull out the combustion chamber to brush out deposits, the seam goes to top when putting it back together.

Here is part of my post from 2 weeks ago:
Changed mixing valve in the AH today.

https://www.zoro.com/watts-mixing-valve-lead-free-brass-12-lf70a-f/i/G4531082/?q=G4531082

Swapped the "guts of the mixing valve. Pic of old and new temper valve (at link). Different design but works fine. Getting the old one off was difficult. Vice grips as tight as I could make them, and beating on it with a hammer was required. Back up the area with channel locks while getting old valve off.

Here is the link with the photo of the valve guts. I did use a small amount of teflon tape on the very small threads on the valve - to make it easier to remove in the future if needed. It will seal fine without the teflon. AH not working on diesel

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #18 – December 17, 2023, 08:52:09 am

A million thanks! I have ordered the valve!

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #19 – December 18, 2023, 02:35:16 pm

Super simple but on mine it was a little hard to get to... Removed the motor and its right there

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #20 – December 18, 2023, 04:10:40 pm

So do the mixing valves require solder to connect them.? Looking at mine back when, I could not figure if they were soldered or not

Re: Aqua Hot system mixing valve

Reply #21 – December 18, 2023, 04:13:37 pm

Quote from: Peter – December 18, 2023, 04:10:40 pm

So do the mixing valves require solder to connect them.? Looking at mine back when, I could not figure if they were soldered or not

Don't try and remove the entire old valve and install the entire new valve. Just take the "guts" out of the new one and install them in the old one.

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