Monaco Aqua-Hot water/heating systems

[silversmith]

Are first of many questions : Looking at Monaco Camelot or Dynasty and Aqua-Hot 450/650 hot water and heating systems. How would you rate the 450 or 650 radiant heat systems in place of normal forced air systems?

[patmsp]

We JUST purchased a 2000 Monaco Dynasty. One of the selling points was that it had an Aqua Hot System. I am a newbie.... so take my comments "for what it's worth".

We live in Eastern TN and this winter it has been EXTREMELY cold (some teens at night, 30's in the day). First let me explain my limited understanding of the system. When the system is plugged in (shore power). The tank compartment is maintained at 50-60 degrees. There is a black knob that controls the setting in the compartment. The system will operate off of electric or diesel. The electric switch is good for maintaining a cozy coach when outside temps are above 50. Colder than that the diesel will have to be turned on and it burns 1/2 gal/hour. When we are traveling down the road and it is COLD outside, we will use the diesel option. Correspondingly there is a switch that will redirect the hot water though the engine to warm the engine up on cold days. Besides heat, the Aqua system will provide instant hot showers. Our system also has 2 zones so that the bedroom can be set for a different temp than the living quarters.

Pat

[Denali]

You will get a lot of responses like "I would never have another coach without an Aqua-Hot."

In my case, I would never get another coach with one of these systems.

Ours failed multiple times the first year we had it--circuit boards, a limit switch, a cutoff thermostat, etc.

At three years (one year out of warranty) the unit developed an internal leak, so we had to replace the whole thing. That cost me $4,000, and Aqua-Hot tells me they undercharged me by $1,000. If we had the larger model of Aqua-Hot, it would have been thousands more.

At four years, the heat exchanger under the fridge developed a leak. We didn't know it until the sub-floor was saturated with anti-freeze, warping the floor and cracking the tile. There are six of these heat exchangers scattered around the coach, each with two lines full of antifreeze running to it. How many points of potential catastrophic failure is that?

The system adds around $7,200-11,000 to the price of the coach, as of three years ago.

When running on diesel, our neighbors get to smell diesel exhaust, as do we if the wind is right. I try very hard to park downwind of neighbors.

Annual maintenance is only $40 for the parts, but plan on spending two bills if you want somebody else to do it for you.

It is much harder to find a qualified tech to work on these systems than on conventional water heaters and furnaces.

It takes just as much space as a conventional water heater and furnace.

All this for the convenience of not needing to fill the propane tank as often.

We spend months at a time boondocking, so using diesel for hot water and space heating is more convenient while we are doing that, but how much time do you spend parked without electric power? When we have hookups, we use electricity for hot water and heat pumps for heat.

By the way, these are not "radiant" heating systems. They use blowers, just like a propane furnace, except they are usually quieter.

[BigSkyBob]

You don't have to use the diesel burner when traveling on the hiway, the engine coolant is circulated through the system. So all you have to do is set the thermostat to the desired temp and enjoy the warmth. I've had my Aqua-Hot system almost three years and have had the float switch go bad twice and the temperature control thermostat go bad once. I replaced the temp control myself that took all of an hour and had both float switches replaced under warranty. If you study the wiring diagram you can do work arounds for the temp control and float switch if they go south. I fabed an exhaust stack for mine that I also use for the generator so that's not been a problem. If I was to order another coach it would be a must. Mine is the DE-450 so it has one 1650 watt element that heats domestic water just fine but won't work to heat the coach when the temp is below 50 degrees. If I had the problems with mine that others have had I would reconsider having one too, but I do love mine.

[Mike Canter]

So if I am hearing you correctly...if plugged in at a camp ground then you can use the heat pump AC units if above 32* along with the electric heater element in the Aqua-Hot. If above 50*F then the Aqua-Hot electric element will keep you warm without the AC heat pumps on. If below 32*F then it is the diesel burner in the Aqua-Hot along with the electric element that will keep you warm without the AC in heat pump mode.

If dry camping then it is all diesel burner unless you run the generators and depending on the temps if above 50*F then the electric element in the Aqua-Hot and/or one or two ACs in heat pump mode.

If going down the road then the diesel burner is off but the thermostats are in furnace mode set for the temp you want and heat comes from the motor coolant heat exchanger.

Is that how you use it all?

[CaptPat]

Last year we purchased our first MH with AH. Compared to propane furnaces it is a little less noisy inside the coach and heat seems to be distributed better. As noted above it is a more complex system than a propane furnace and water heater so it initially adds cost and will likely cost more if you have repairs. AH authorized technicians are not common, for example the closest one to me is about 125 miles away--he doesn't make house calls. AH also seems to take about the same amount of space that a propane furnace and hot water heater. Our coach has an LP stovetop and refrigerator so we have to carry an LP tank anyway.

OTOH it's almost impossible to run out of hot water if you are using the diesel burner.

As far as our operating experience is concerned--

If it's less than ~50F outside while traveling we find we need to run the diesel burner--the engine heat loop is insufficient. (We have a 42 ft coach so YMMV with a smaller coach)

We normally just use the electric element when parked unless it's cold outside or we want to take showers and run the W/D. In that case the electric element will not keep up. This saves on diesel use and still provides plenty of HW for washing dishes or a quick wash up; plus it avoids the exhaust on the next door neighbor.

IMO if you camp alot in cold weather or travel alot in cold weather AH seems to make sense. OTOH if you are a fair weather or occasional camper LP may be a better route.

[Twomed]

www.hydro-hot.com/b2c/ecom/ecomEnduser/default/Manuals.aspx

All the manuals here...second coach with AQH, and we consider it a must have item. A little maint. but not hard to do yourself.

PS....Aladdin CD is in the mail Mike.

[Pusherpilot]

We've had good luck with the AH in our 04 Imperial. A couple of small problems, a stuck check valve that prevented heat to the front exchangers and a cold water in leak that was repairable by me. I've had it serviced once and done the service once myself. We've used the unit for heat while under way and have had no problem with the unit keeping us warm. Put me in the "must have " catagory for this unit!
Ron

[cb5300]

I've had two coaches with the AH (2007 Dynasty and the current coach 2008 Signature) and I've had very little problems with the system. On the Sig I've got two electric switches (one marked 110V and the 2nd marked Elect HI) with both electric switches on, the AH has kept the coach warm even with the outside temp down to 25*. I've also have found that the double electric element will keep up with showers and the dishwasher... I fall into that must have group.

[Dr4Film]

Even though I had to replace the entire Aqua-Hot unit back in Dec.'05 because of an internal leak that could not be fixed, I have had very few problems with the system besides doing the yearly service and replacing the control switch at the kitchen panel a few times.

So I am in favor of the Aqua-Hot and all of it's benefits. I would not own another coach without it. But I will probably not own another coach as this one just suits me fine unless someone wants to give me a Customized Prevost with 2 slides, Murphy bed, jacuzzi, etc. ya right!

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

[islandtees]

We have a 06 Dynasty and would never own a coach without it.Endless hot water for the dishwasher,showers,laundry etc.This is a must have item.