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Topic: Rebuilding Aqua Hot (Read 7036 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #20 –
Not sure why it was there, but it will go with the collection of probably 50 other oddball sockets I seem to have collected over the years  ;D  My guess is that it was supposed to used on a couple of the hose clamps someone had used making their connections. Part of why I believe that a previous owner has done some changes in here.

Larry

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #21 –
Did more cleaning this morning on the unit. I scraped off the old mastic with a stiff putty knife, then I got a wire brush for my 4" grinder and one for the drill and polished it all up. Decided that it looked so good that I took off the thermostats on the front and took the paint off as well. When I'm done with the copper tube and mastic, I will paint the entire unit with a high temp heat. Some of the wires for the thermostats are feeling brittle, so when I go to put it back together, I will make new wires up. I've got things to do tonight, so it was a short day. Won't get the mastic till Monday anyway.

Larry

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #22 –
Buy some thermal wire like used in ovens for the igniter. Has a heat resistant sleeve.

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #23 –
Larry, I've got my popcorn an a cold beverage on this project!  lol

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #24 –
Craneman, will do. It will be worth the upgrade in the long run.

Joe, I hope that the show is enjoyable. I would hate to have a hiccup and you choke on the popcorn :giggle:

Till tomorrow's episode........

Larry

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #25 –
If you have mini hose clamps anywhere they use a 1/4 socket.

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #26 –
If you have any mini hose clamps they use a 1/4 socket.

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #27 –
Old guy, yes there is a mini hose clamp on the overflow line on top of the AH. It also takes a 1/4" socket to remove the screws that hold the high limit switches on.

Not much accomplished today. I spent the day chasing down copper coil in stock and getting the proper fittings to connect them. I wanted  a 100' coil, none in town and delivery would be 4-6 away, so I went with 2 50' coils which I found at an HVAC supply. Tried 6 different places, no one could exactly match the old copper tube. It may have swollen and stretched in it's 24 years of usage.

The saga continue's

Larry

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #28 –
Larry,

When you start to wind the coil around the tank be aware that where you solder the two sections together that area will be harder to wind around the tank due to the heating of the copper. With care it can be wound without kinking this area. It also works better to swedge this connection rather than using a coupling.

Mike

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #29 –
Thanks Mike. I've flared copper but never swedged copper before. I just watched a  couple of you tubes. I might haver to try that.

Larry

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #31 –
T-man thanks for the video. I already hove one coming on Amazon. It isn't the drill spin type. It sure looks nice though

Larry

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #32 –
Since I am awaiting the mastic to be delivered and I seem to have strained my back slightly, yesterday was a light day. I took the time to clean up the housing for the AH. I have worked with stainless steel on occasion over the year and know that there are various types of SS. I am so glad to see that they used high quality SS. After 24 years, it polished up to look nearly brand new. Only a couple of spots with any stain. With a little work, could probably reduce that. A previous owner had partially removed the inside panel which holds the fuses and relays. In the process he had bent it up pretty bad. I was able to get most of the bends straightened out so it looks better.

I want to replace the inside insulation. I don't know the type or where to buy. Any suggestions? I am also looking at modifying the existing plumbing. I am wanting to extend the connections to the outside of the case, similar to what the manual shows as being from the factory. Someone has reworked these so that all connections are congested inside. I had removed the outer front housing from the unit 4 years ago when a high limit switch went bad and I replaced. Took Rudy's advice to leave it off so that not as much heat built up on the electronics of the unit. Since it is in the inside middle bay, it isn't readily noticeable and allows for quick inspections of the filters, fuses etc. I may reroute some of my hoses so that they are not as tightly packed. Not sure yet, but thinking.

I changed the lights in the lower bay to  brite white LED strips. It really lights up the bay. I want to see about adding one to the compartment for the AH. Just need to figure the wiring and where to hook up a switch. It sure is nice to have the coach at the house, but soon I expect the HOA  to start complaining. don't like them anyway >:D

Larry

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #33 –
Quote from: ohsonew –
I want to replace the inside insulation. I don't know the type or where to buy. Any suggestions?

Larry,

I would get some 1" KAO-Wool or any similar ceramic fiber product.  You can find it on the web.  If you have an industrial insulation company in your area you may be able to pick up some end cuts that they have for cheap. (none of this type product is cheep)

Mike

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #34 –
Thanks Mike. I didn't know the type of insulation it is. I looked at spun fiberglass boards which is manufactured here in KC but the thinnest I could find in a quick search was 2". I thought about contacting AH to see if they could help. I wasn't sure how well rock wool would stand up to the diesel environment.

Larry

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #35 –
Ordered a roll of 1"X 24"X 12.5' ceramic fire insulation blanket ^.^d

Larry

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #36 –
I put led lights in the Aqua-hot compartment and put a switch just inside the top left.

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #37 –
 That is likely the area I''m looking at. right now it is cold and snowing..........being retired I don't have the time restraints where I have to get out in it. Maybe this afternoon, supposed to get to around 40.

Re: Rebuilding Aqua Hot

Reply #39 –
That was what I thought. The next smaller size was 2' X 5' and that wasn't enough. I'll find something I'm sure.

Larry