Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 10, 2025 ...

Aqua Hot on electric only

December 24, 2013, 06:46:27 pm

For the 2002 U320 on shore power and switching on the engine loop and electric switches, does the Dometic thermostat have to be on and in heat mode in order to pre-heat the engine?

Quote Selected

Re: Aqua Hot on electric only

Reply #1 – December 24, 2013, 06:56:18 pm

In mine if you do not turn on the domestic thermostat it will not turn on the circulation pumps. I never had the engine on without the interior so I do not know. I know that the aquahot was wired differently in my 200o than my 2001 and I had to have the 2001 rewired.

Quote Selected

Re: Aqua Hot on electric only

Reply #2 – December 24, 2013, 08:36:13 pm

Jim

From memory you have a Aqua-Hot model AHE-100-02S.

The interior thermostats have nothing to do with the engine preheat feature.

When you turn on the engine preheat, you start a pump inside of your Aqua-Hot that circulates the ENGINE coolant through the Aqua-Hot and heats it.  Depending on how cold it is, it will take around 1 hour to warm the engine so that it will start easily.

You can heat the engine just using the electric element in your Aqua-Hot if you are not trying to heat your coach at the same time and have some patience.  As you know, the primary heat source for your Aqua-Hot is the diesel burner.  Turn on the diesel burner for unlimited heat / hot water / engine heating.

- Roger Berke -
http://www.Forum.RVHYD.com 

Quote Selected

Re: Aqua Hot on electric only

Reply #3 – December 25, 2013, 12:03:27 am

Thanks Roger, mine is a AHE-100-01S ( I think), so I'll presume it works the same way.

My goal is to preheat the engine by electric only during Nebraska's wonderful 20 degree nights before I start It the next morning.

Quote Selected

Re: Aqua Hot on electric only

Reply #4 – December 25, 2013, 07:42:59 am

This may be a dumb question, but from a newbie who isn't sure, if you've been driving for the day, plug into a campground for the night, what harm would happen if you used the electric heat for engine preheat all night long on those cold nights? Would the engine bay stay to hot for comfort for the bed above? Since I'm looking for a unit with aqua hot, my curiosity gets the best of me.

Thanks,
Larry

Quote Selected

Re: Aqua Hot on electric only

Reply #5 – December 25, 2013, 08:41:57 am

Larry,

Aqua Hot Engine Preheat heats the engine coolant by circulating it through the engine and through the Aqua Hot engine coolant loop to about 50 to 60 degrees which is just fine for starting right up.

The open to the outside air engine bay will not get any heating effect to be noticeable.

However, because the electric heating element is on, the basement utility bay will be heated along with the engine (to the basement thermostat setting which needs to be 40 to 50 degrees, not zero like I found the other day) and will stay above freezing but below your comfort level of 68+ degrees.  This bay may be warmer in temperature than other bays but the floor will be cold to your bare feet.

Hope this helps your curiosity as inquiring minds want to know you know.

Merry Christmas

Quote Selected

Re: Aqua Hot on electric only

Reply #6 – December 25, 2013, 08:49:44 am

Thanks Rudy, I appreciate the concise information. So many things I've learned from this group, so many finer points to follow up on.

Hope all are well, safe & warm wherever you may be.
Larry

Quote Selected

Re: Aqua Hot on electric only

Reply #7 – December 25, 2013, 12:33:27 pm

Used the Aqua Hot (Diesel) to warm the ISM this AM, TOOK ABOUT 2 hours to go from 29 to 101f, was at flying j at truck stop rd, nc. Brrrr
Love it.  Headed to the new yrs party as usual in s fl.  8.6 mpg @ 67 mph with the F150 toad on I-95, currently at Brunswick Ga, 598 miles so far.  Under 400 to go yet.
Dave M

Quote Selected

Re: Aqua Hot on electric only

Reply #8 – December 25, 2013, 02:31:15 pm

Have fun Dave.  I will be heading to TX soon.

Quote Selected