Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Aqua Hot Electrical Load (Read 996 times) previous topic - next topic

Aqua Hot Electrical Load

We've been doing some cold weather (at least for us!) camping in the last week or two - 20s at night and 30s during the day. The Aqua Hot did a good job of keeping us warm and providing hot water for showers. We were hooked up to power though so I didn't get a chance to monitor its electrical usage much. For those that have dry camped with the AH, what's your experience? I guess it has to run its blower, pumps, relays and heat exchanger fans so that must be a pretty significant electrical draw. Just wondering how much. Thanks.

(We're running three Lifelines and a 2.8K inverter.)
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Aqua Hot Electrical Load

Reply #1 –
Jor, I do not know the answer, but mine battery system needs to start the generator every 4 to 5 hours when it is cold. The large fans plus all the little motors seem to take their toll on the batteries.

Re: Aqua Hot Electrical Load

Reply #2 –
Jor,

Been running all day and could not get back to you till now.

Here are the running amps for the various items in the Aqua Hot 12 vdc System:

Fans - 2 amps each (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 basement, 2 or 3 living room)
Pumps - 2 amps each (there are 3)
Burner - 6 amps
Controls - 50 milli amps (switches, thermostats)

So can be 24 amps when all up and running together.  Will be less as the interior thermostats and burner control thermostat are satisfied and cycle the components they control off.

If generator or shore power is available:

Electric Element - 13 amps

Hope this helps.

Happy New Year!
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 Electrical Load

Reply #3 –
Just the info I was looking for, Rudy. Thanks. Doesn't sound bad at all. 50% of the lifelines should give me 380 ah more or less.

I didn't do any real measurement but it seemed to me that the AH diesel didn't run a lot. I'm thinking maybe 15 to 20 minutes per hour during the coldest time. So, let's see... heating just the living area (4 amps for the fans) and the basement (2a), two pumps (4a) and the burner (6a), that would be 16 amps. If it's only running 15 minutes per hour, that ain't bad. Dave, now I'm wondering why your batteries are drawing down so quickly.

Of course, we had the 115v going too. Wonder how much help that electric element is providing. We avoided heating the whole coach. Just the living area during the day and both zones down to 60 or less for the night (basement at 45 or so). I'd like to have an idea too of diesel consumption. I know that full bore all the time is supposed to consume 1/2 gallon per hour. Let's say it's running 15 minutes per hour; that only a pint or so of fuel - pretty economical. Anybody else have any cold weather camping experience with the AH? Thanks,
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Aqua Hot Electrical Load

Reply #4 –
Hi JOR, 
Just a minor addition, I think you probably have two basement heat exchangers.  My '99 has one on each side tucked in at the ends of the holding tanks. 
Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/Air Force One
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: Aqua Hot Electrical Load

Reply #5 –
Thanks, Jan. I missed that second one.
jor

Re: Aqua Hot Electrical Load

Reply #6 –
I have found when it is cold I will run the generator too. The why is because the batteries have reduced capacities in the freezing weather. I am not talking upper 20s but in the single digits and below.  I will let the generator run all night in fact to keep everything charged up and the aquahot on engine heat if I am leaving the next morning. Also will turn on the block heater if it is going to be that cold too.  I started right up this Nov at 9 degrees with no problems and I ran the generator all night boondocked in the outlet mall.  It is why I have one and it is 42 feet away from me.
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 Electrical Load

Reply #7 –
Quote
I have found when it is cold I will run the generator too]
Thanks, John. I'll just do some experimenting to see how it goes. I'm anxious to see how long we can go in a typical dry camp situation in which generators are not permitted at night. We probably won't get into areas with such low temps as you experience though. Matter of fact, we're heading into South Texas now and it's kinda nice!
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Aqua Hot Electrical Load

Reply #8 –
If you do get into that cold make sure you run the generator to charge up the batteries before you start the main engine. Your alternator will be charging the start battery and the load to fill the house batteries will decrease the life expectancy of the alternator. It is really a maintainer in the words of James Triana...
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