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Topic: Another Aqua Hot problem (Read 768 times) previous topic - next topic

Another Aqua Hot problem

Hello all, I'm getting ready to head east from Washington towards Yellowstone via Hells Canyon, Idaho and Jackson, leaving in two weeks. Last April I took the coach to a certified aqua hot service, they replaced the ignition and did some other work and said it runs great.  I have had no reason to turn it on until today and as usual it's not working. At least the diesel part is not working. When switched to electric 115 volts it works fine just takes longer. When I use the diesel switch the green light comes on for 10-15 seconds and then goes off, there's also a little compressor (?) that comes on, not sure what that is about.

Anyhow any information would be helpful before I try to get it back to the service tech. Just don't have a lot of time left, as work still gets in the way.

Thanks Eric
P.S. Checked the fuses there fine and the three big relays looked okay also.
Eric, Mary and Carl the jack russel terrorist
1997 U320, #5143, w/450 hp, 6.9 on the richter scale
Sammie the toad
Live Free or Die

Re: Another Aqua Hot problem

Reply #1
That noise is the blower. Many things can cause the symptoms you are having. Flame sensor, coil, fuel pump, control box etc. Maybe Rudy can give you a hand at trouble shooting. There is a post with the AH service manual somewhere on the Forum.
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: Another Aqua Hot problem

Reply #3
You could try unplugging the control box and using Deoxit to clean the pins where they plug in.  If you don't have Deoxit or some other contact cleaner then just unplugging & plugging in a few times cleans the contacts.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Another Aqua Hot problem

Reply #4
Morning Eric,

Sorry to share but letting the burner sit for weeks on end with out running it through a diesel heating cycle has allowed the fuel on the new nozzle to congeal.  The fix is a new nozzle.

Once this is done, run the burner through one heating cycle once per month wheather you need to or not, period.  The new nozzle will last 2 maybe 3 years if given this periodic use.

To put it another way, the shelf life of a new uninstalled nozzle is indefinite.  The shelf life of an installed nozzle starts downhill at 30 days of no use.
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: Another Aqua Hot problem

Reply #5
Thanks Everyone, thanks Rudy, so its like ethanol gas in a Honda generator. Another question, the noise I hear after I turn the unit on that sounds like a small compressor (thanks Craneman, its not a blower) or a vacuum pump continues to run even after I shut the "diesel switch" off.  What is its purpose? It's mounted to the basement ceiling behind the inverter.
Thanks againn
Eric
PS. Is changing a nozzle difficult for the average do-it-yourselfer (you knew that question was coming)
Eric, Mary and Carl the jack russel terrorist
1997 U320, #5143, w/450 hp, 6.9 on the richter scale
Sammie the toad
Live Free or Die

Re: Another Aqua Hot problem

Reply #6
Eric,

Call me and I can give a quick education on what is supposed to happen and what to do and look for.

Rudy  7 one 3  8 one 8  3234
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: Another Aqua Hot problem

Reply #7
It isn't really difficult, but it isn't like taking apart a toaster.  Here is an excellent video (the nozzle comes in at about the 10 min. mark):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p5T6ixogEk

I was given this exact schooling by a pro last year and it cost me over $1100 when I had a problem.  Video is a lot cheaper.

Also, it is much easier to start up the unit AND generator monthly!
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Another Aqua Hot problem

Reply #8
Update, talked with Rudy he gave me an run down of the system, thanks Rudy. Ordered another nozzle but wont be here till Thursday so I soaked the old one in carb cleaner, sprayed it with brake fluid and goof off, rinsed and repeated several times. It now works as it should but will replace with the new one when it arrives.

Thanks again everyone
Eric
Eric, Mary and Carl the jack russel terrorist
1997 U320, #5143, w/450 hp, 6.9 on the richter scale
Sammie the toad
Live Free or Die