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Topic: Intermittent aqua hot (Read 896 times) previous topic - next topic

Intermittent aqua hot

I looked up this on search "balky aqua hot" by 2escapees and found the symptoms seem to be the same as what I am now experiencing with the aqua hot. That is; the system seems to function except intermittent shutdowns; light goes off but unit may be restarted. No smoke. How loud is normal for the motor? I certainly can hear it running however there is a consistency to it; no grinding noises, just seems a little loud to me.

The solution seems to be a control board or box as it is referred to. Upon reading the manual, I found it may be a high temperature limit switch gone whacky. Apparently it has a reset button; could not find the button.

What may be your thoughts on this and the place to get parts? I'm North of the border in Canada and not going South anytime soon.
2000  42 U320 DGFE full body paint/modified front lower cap, Build# 5742
2004 C-RV Toad
Tom and Mary, Trouble & Mr. Pants

Re: Intermittent aqua hot

Reply #1 –
First, check aqua hot for trained technician in CA, Join Roger Berke's Hydronic Heating Forum, and possible buy your parts from his web site if you are going to DIY
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Intermittent aqua hot

Reply #2 –
Have you replaced your rubber fuel lines?
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Intermittent aqua hot

Reply #3 –
well there is a thought. I was thinking the other day thumbing through the Foretravel manual, where on earth is the fuel filter for the aqua hot? The aqua hot was serviced at MOT at purchase and have only used it monthly for "exercise" Perhaps if I know the location of the fuel filter I may be able to trace the fuel lines. Strange replacing fuel lines to me, I have had the same fuel lines in my diesel engine vessel since 1988 and by the looks of them ( cut open) they will outlive me.

I will check out the lines and filter and carry on from there.  Thanks on that.
2000  42 U320 DGFE full body paint/modified front lower cap, Build# 5742
2004 C-RV Toad
Tom and Mary, Trouble & Mr. Pants

Re: Intermittent aqua hot

Reply #4 –
Howdy crosscountry,
    I think you're asking for the location of AquaHot fuel filter. On our '00 U320, the filter is located in the front Driver Side compartment (D1), that is: the compartment in front of the wheel.  Mounted towards the front and up high.
Good Luck, Dave A
Dave and Nancy Abel
'00 U320 36' WTFE  Build #5669
'10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Livingston, TX  SKP's Fulltiming

Re: Intermittent aqua hot

Reply #5 –
My AH filter is inside the unit, up in the back corner.  Understandably, some have relocated them to more convenient locations.

As suggested, try Roger Burke's forum.  Roer is a expert in the field, provides answers to questions and has excellent customer service.

RV Hydronic Heater Forum

Hope this helps.
2019 Pleasure Way Lexor

Re: Intermittent aqua hot

Reply #6 –
Tom,

How much diesel is in your fuel tank.  At lease a 1/4 or more is needed to allow the fuel pick up for the burner to be in fuel.  I like 1/3 or more just in case gauge is not reading quite right.

Fuel filter is Racor R12T.  It is mounted in the driver's side front basement compartment up high.

Roger's forum is excellent for getting help and for parts too.  You can even ship the burner and Control Unit (the box on the side of the burner) to him for check out.

This would not check you high limit thermostat as it is mounted to the heater tank.  It is above the burner and has a white dot of a button to reset it.  BUT, you do not have a high limit thermostat problem because once it pops, it will not reset its self.

Checking the AH website for Authorized Service Centers near you that has been suggested is a good idea also.
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: Intermittent aqua hot

Reply #7 –
Lean mixture from air leaks in fuel supply line would generally first show up as white smoke from exhaust.

Where in  Canada are you staying?
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Intermittent aqua hot

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –
Lean mixture from air leaks in fuel supply line would generally first show up as white smoke from exhaust.

Where in  Canada are you staying?

Tim, Crosscountry is the nice fella I traded Satellite systems with. He is very near Nanaimo, Vancouver Island.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Intermittent aqua hot

Reply #9 –
Yes, the fuel filter is right where it was said to be;in the forward driver's side compartment. No bubbles, no water, and no discernable leaks. Wow, fuel lines were run all that way forward and back for ease of service and just maybe a safety issue.

Tim points out the white smoke with erratic fuel supply; no white smoke. Thanks Rudy, the tank is full. Thanks to all. I have registered on the aqua-hot site and feel a bit better armed to deal with the forthcoming.

Tim, as Bigdog noted I'm on Vancouver Island at the Osborn Bay RV Resort overlooking and on Stuart Channel where I had commercial fished until retirement. Two of my children have the house held hostage and we prefer to live aboard the dream, Foretravel.
2000  42 U320 DGFE full body paint/modified front lower cap, Build# 5742
2004 C-RV Toad
Tom and Mary, Trouble & Mr. Pants

Re: Intermittent aqua hot

Reply #10 –
There is an Aquahot mobile service tech near Vancouver BC I used with success
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Intermittent aqua hot

Reply #11 –
Quote from: crosscountry –
I looked up this on search "balky aqua hot" ...intermittent shutdowns; light goes off but unit may be restarted...
...solution seems to be a control board or box...

Our problems were the same and we had black smoke instead of white and no amount of adjustments by Aquahot "authorized" techs resolved the issue.  HOWEVER, a new controller box from Roger Berke solved everything. Not inexpensive, but it is was a solution for us. 

The selected media item is not currently available.

Mark & Mary Benko
Former coach: 2005 U295 3823
Jeep Cherokee, Honda Fit

Re: Intermittent aqua hot

Reply #12 –
If the controller is not bad you will have a spare. I carry one controller one flame sensor and nozzles for back up. If you are out in the boonies when one of them fail you are back up and running and the cost for the spare is paid for by not having to have cold showers.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Intermittent aqua hot

Reply #13 –
 Thank you all for the replies. My rather late report is twofold; one, I have learned how to spell aquahot and subsequently could not find the thread, two, today the aquahot was fixed. My thanks to Prevostart for his advice off air.  The fix is similar to the tune by the Irish Rovers; "Wasn't that a party, might have been the whisky, might have been the gin etc etc. Could have been the fuel solenoid, might have been the nozzle, me oh my what a mess I;m in.

 Gerry from Ace came over to the Island after consulting twice with Cornerstone Insurance. Don't everyone laugh at once. please. So Gerry calls them after the job is complete and we get "I don't have authorization for that amount of money"  Gerry went back to the mainland with my credit card and we will find out tomorrow; "by noon" what is covered under the policy sold by MOT when I purchased the coach.    Tom
2000  42 U320 DGFE full body paint/modified front lower cap, Build# 5742
2004 C-RV Toad
Tom and Mary, Trouble & Mr. Pants