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Topic: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps (Read 2710 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Water Pump and Aqua Hot Circulating Pump

Reply #20 –
Quote from: coastalbuilder –
Correct.  But I'm wondering what else was removed to get to it and how much stuff was pushed and shoved to do it.  or if anything was removed that would have meant losing coolant.  After reading more on here there are some suspect places to look and I am doing that.  The dripping from around the exhaust penetration is my biggest worry right now.
Only part required when needed is the motor.. Nothing else.. No coolant of any sorts but does not mean a solder connection did not open.. or worse.. Your going to have to get in there and look around then go from there.

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #21 –
Update - Good news, bad news.
Good news:
Managed to get the pumps primed.  That was the heat issue in the cab.  Filled to the rim and pressurized to 15PSI.  Fired her up and we have heat.
Bad news:
I have a coolant leak.  The overflow line was so brittle at the outlet it broke off.  I changed the entire line to the overflow tank.  I hoped that was where I was leaking coolant.  I had a leak come out of the underbelly where the Aqua Hit exhaust exits.  I was hoping that was the most extreme downhill spot and all would be good.  BUT after firing up the diesel burner I am getting a little white smoke (coolant burning off) under the Aqua Hot pan.  And I am getting some white smoke around the underbelly exhaust as well as measurable drip (maybe one drip every 5 second when it is fired up).  There is no perceptible white smoke in the exhaust itself, it is clear.  I have examined all the pumps, manifolds and cannot find a leak in them at all.

So... what does that mean to my pocket book?

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #22 –
If the tubes are leaking in the burner, about 10 cb's is what I was quoted on my '96 Monaco. The tubes crack from heat if the coolant gets too low to keep them filled.

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #23 –
Talked with Rudy. He gave me some optimistic things to look at and think about.  Will report back.  After it stops raining...

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #25 –
8 coach bucks to completely rebuild the aqua hot per Rudy plus shipping.
Not sure what all is replaced.

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #26 –
Once out of the rv its not to difficult to take apart but its basically a boiler tank so depending on what they do... If its just the exterior copper tube replaced and new mastic.. you can do it yourself for $1000-1500 (my guess)

You can use most of the old parts but I would replace the shut off valves and the Mixing valve parts while I had it out.

New insulation or a new blanket like I did... Next time I would really consider shut of valves above each motor for maintenance .. still thinking of adding them but I had an idea to help with hot water supply that I borrowed from IRV2 I will add later..

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #27 –
Don't be shy David, inquiring minds want to know  ;D

Larry

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #28 –
Quote from: ohsonew –
Don't be shy David, inquiring minds want to know  ;D

Larry
So there is a guy on IRV2 that his Aquahot froze or whatever... Coolant side worked great but the fresh side was leaking... he ran a Flat plate heat exchanger in place of the waterside ... I had never heard of them and Looking at how they work they are pretty efficient so I stole the idea basics from him... On my water in I am going to put a small one in so that the water in the winter (or at all times if small enough and doesnt heat to hot in summer) so I can heat the water coming in to a warmer degree and that will help with the water demand for never ending hot water instead of the 1.8g we see in our aquahot... the hard part is the incoming water degree especially in the winter.... I am going to add this thing and maybe do a bypass also and see if my idea will actually work...

open to criticism here also.. jump in..

CBH16-13H - Alfa Laval CBH16-13H - 125,000 BTU/Hr (Domestic Water) CB16...

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #29 –
Using a plate exchanger is an innovative ideal.  We use them in our process units and they are very efficient at heat transfer.  I am interested in the outcome.

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #30 –
David, what am I missing?? What is used to heat the water in the exchange? I downloaded the brochure and I see how it would exchange from one side to the other, but what is the heating element? What am I not seeing? If this is viable, it could save me a lot of effort on rebuilding the AH.

Larry

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #31 –
coolant

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #32 –
Either from the engine/engine preheat or the furnace? Interesting, but it would require one of those 2 to be running, correct? If so, when running the furnace for heat, would it also be able to supply enough heat for the hot water or would both suffer?

Larry

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #33 –
Since coolant is running in opposing channels in the exchanger which could leak and co-mingle,  you would want it to be a non-toxic coolant.

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #34 –
Quote from: DayDreamer –
Since coolant is running in opposing channels in the exchanger which could leak and co-mingle,  you would want it to be a non-toxic coolant.
Could happen.. very doubtful

For those following snap disc thermostats here is a better idea as they come in different degrees

This might be the fix all on the thermostat questions

Given some time I am amazed at what I can find sometimes on the internet  :))

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #35 –
Here is where Rob&Matthew rebuilt their aqua hot years ago.
John M.

Aqua hot Rebuild

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #36 –
David, that is basically the same type heat exchanger that is used in a high efficiency boiler. The problem we had was the heat exchanger did not have a user friendly way to remove mineral deposits from the water.  I would recommend putting in extra ports with valves so you could easily fill it with white vinegar once a year let set for a couple of days then flush.  They work great as long as they are clean inside.
Just my 2 c worth
Chris

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #37 –
Quote from: Chris m lang –
David, that is basically the same type heat exchanger that is used in a high efficiency boiler. The problem we had was the heat exchanger did not have a user friendly way to remove mineral deposits from the water.  I would recommend putting in extra ports with valves so you could easily fill it with white vinegar once a year let set for a couple of days then flush.  They work great as long as they are clean inside.
Just my 2 c worth
Chris

Was going to add valves at each port so I can remove if necessary. not set in doing yet so still working on it in my head

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #38 –
Maybe this might be thought provoking. Consumer reports today had a report on using what we have used vinegar for. They are saying bad things about using it where it will come in contact with rubber, some metals.

So?

Maybe dishwasher cleaner would have a better line remover. They mention it in place of vinegar.

Just sharing.

Re: Aqua Hot Circulating Pumps

Reply #39 –
John thanks for pulling up the link. That is the posting that I remember. I'm always amazed by the amount of vital information available on the forum and the willingness of its members to help find and share their knowledge. Just like Google knows all, it seems like when something is mentioned, someone here finds the right make, model or part # to help one another out.

Larry