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Topic: two questions on the 320 (for now) (Read 823 times) previous topic - next topic

two questions on the 320 (for now)

Question number one: Where is the thermostat for the hot water heater? Cause that stuff is hot! The faucets are spewing magma, I'm surprised the hot water heater hasn't melted through the coach, like a nuclear reactor at three mile island. Also where would I find this nuclear reactor (hot water heater) if I ever had to replace it. I pulled two panels off, one where all the on-off valves for water flow and on the other side where the water fill switch is.

Question number two: The "water fill switch" when I first got the coach and used the water fill switch (after connecting the water hose and turning the water on) you would hear what sounded like a solenoid clunk and then a pump running, until you shut the switch off. Now when I turn the switch on I just hear the solenoid clunk sound and no pump running. Where is this pump located and am I correct that the clunk noise that I hear is a solenoid? Also, it seems that the water tank fills regardless if the pump is running as long as there's enough pressure to fill the tank, is that correct?

If it looks like I've asked more than two question I have, just trying to keep everyone on their toes! No slackers.

P.S. One more, there's a little red light in the bedroom under the television, sometimes it on sometimes it's off, what is this?
Thanks
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: two questions on the 320 (for now)

Reply #1 –
On the water fill there is no pump, just the solenoid.  Make sure your water pump is off when filling the tank.  As far as the hot water, not sure if there is a thermostat for regulating the water temperature.  As far as the shower you may want to upgrade the shower valve with an anti-scalding mixing valve.  We find ours to be very sensitive when trying to balance the temperature.
John M
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: two questions on the 320 (for now)

Reply #2 –
I believe that there will be a hatch on the side of your coach dedicated to the hot water heater.  Unless the unit has been modified I believe that they are factory set at 140 deg. This site is a great source for technical info

Foretravel Motorhome Atwood Water Heater Troubleshooting | All Things Foretravel
Craig & Jackie
1993 36ft Grand Villa
Unihome U-240 CAT 3116

Re: two questions on the 320 (for now)

Reply #3 –
First question:  do you have Aquahot in your U320?  If you do then the mixing valve (under the burner) is either set too hot or is malfunctioning.  Easy fix once you pull out the burner.  If you don't have an Aquahot then you should have a propane water heater.  Look for a removable panel with vents, not the fridge but similar.  Behind that should be the propane water heater and the thermostat should be somewhere on it.
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: two questions on the 320 (for now)

Reply #4 –
The aquahots mixing valve can get calcium in it and cause way to one side operation of the shower valve to get the necessary mixing for the temps you want. 

The units are commercial quality but do require servicing at regular intervals.

You need to shut off the coach pump when the fill valve is on and open
"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: two questions on the 320 (for now)

Reply #5 –
Thanks Forest and Bob, yes aqua hot. so when you say mixing valve are we talking about a valve that's mixing hot water with cold water? Ball valve? If so what is the adjustment presuming the valves not clogged.
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: two questions on the 320 (for now)

Reply #6 –
Read this thread, the valve can fail hot or cold.

Aqua Hot system mixing valve
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: two questions on the 320 (for now)

Reply #7 –
This is the mixing valve, you can easily replace the guts without un-soldering the body.  It's a spring loaded valve to mix hot and cold water to prevent scalding.  Like Bob said calcium can build up on the guts and rotating the valve handle a few times in each direction is considered as part of the annual service.  It is under the Webasto burner so once you pull the burner you can access the handle.  It should have a mark on it for the correct position so you can put it in correct position after rotating handle back and forth.  Of course a previous owner could have set it for a higher temperature.  Homedepot and Lowes or other plumbing places should have the valve.  Buy a whole valve and just change out the guts.  The repair kit sold doesn't have all of the need parts from what I've heard.
LF70A-F 1/2

If you haven't met Rudy Legett yet you should, he is THE aquahot expert and very helpful.
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: two questions on the 320 (for now)

Reply #8 –
Eric,  Depending on your mechanical skills, I can coach you through changing the tempering (mixing) valve located below the burner in your Aqua Hot heater.  If not you, then someone you have there to do the work, friend or RV repair person is just fine.

If the person has not performed this task before, I encourage you all to call me.  The burner needs to be removed.  Replacing it can lead to damaging the burner housing if the repair person over tightens the J-bolts.  Now lots of money to repair.  It is not rocket science but a little experience goes a long way.

Please call me between 8 and 8 and we will discuss the needed tools and procedures.  The valve shown above is availabe online and you need to get one before proceeding.

In the meantime, just add lots of cold water from the facuet you are using to temper the water to your comfort level.
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: two questions on the 320 (for now)

Reply #9 –
I just replaced my mixing valve a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't unthread the guts so I had to unsolder and replace it. Now it's all brand new. If you're just trying to adjust it, you can get your hand on the knob by reaching under the webasto and might be able to get it to turn. Like bob said they get gunked up and stop moving. If that's the case Just get the lead free watts model 70a mixing valve in 1/2" like the link folvier posted. Remove the brain from the side of the webasto. Pull the webasto burner out by loosening the two 10mm nuts at about 2:00 and 8:00. Swing the bolts out of the way and carefully pull the burner out trying not to hit the igniter electrodes on anything. Then you'll be able to get to the mixing valve. Remove the old guts and replace them with the new ones. I've got a picture of the knob below. The bulk of the aqua hot is to the left in the second picture. Colder clockwise looks like.
2000 Foretravel U320 4210 CAI (Formerly Gary Omel's coach)
Build #6189
previous: 2003 Foretravel U320 4020 AGDS

2015 Suburban
2007 Wrangler

Re: two questions on the 320 (for now)

Reply #10 –
Great, I'm picking up what you guys are laying down. Last summer I noticed the water pressure was dropping at the kitchen sink. When I took it apart there was a lot of build up, cleaned it and it works great. So probably the same in the mixing valve, now that I know where and  what I'm looking for. Thanks for the help, pictures and the links and if things go south I'll call Rudy (like last time).
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: two questions on the 320 (for now)

Reply #11 –
Is the red light in the bedroom on a switch or by itself? I have one and on my coach it is only on when I'm using the TV remote. It is a remote eye for my direct TV receiver, which is around the corner in the closet in the bathroom.

I have another one up front, installed on the valance above the windshield.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: two questions on the 320 (for now)

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Mobius –
Last summer I noticed the water pressure was dropping at the kitchen sink. When I took it apart there was a lot of build up, cleaned it and it works great. So probably the same in the mixing valve,

Have you tried to acid wash your domestic water system with vinegar? Classic symptoms of a system full of calcium.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: two questions on the 320 (for now)

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Jeff & Sandy –
Is the red light in the bedroom on a switch or by itself? I have one and on my coach it is only on when I'm using the TV remote. It is a remote eye for my direct TV receiver, which is around the corner in the closet in the bathroom.

I have another one up front, installed on the valance above the windshield.
There's no switch for the red light as far as know and I don't think it works with the TV as I never turn the TV on, the mystery deepens.
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: two questions on the 320 (for now)

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Pamela & Mike –
Have you tried to acid wash your domestic water system with vinegar? Classic symptoms of a system full of calcium.

Mike
Thanks Mike, I've never filled up from home. Usually at the camp grounds, but I suspect the previous owner may have lived in it full time and perhaps that water was not filtered. When the weather cools a little I'll tear into it.
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: two questions on the 320 (for now)

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Mobius –
the mystery deepens

Maybe a picture of it would help.
2000 Foretravel U320 4210 CAI (Formerly Gary Omel's coach)
Build #6189
previous: 2003 Foretravel U320 4020 AGDS

2015 Suburban
2007 Wrangler