Preferable Hydronic Heating system ?

[igman2]

I'm shopping around for a 98-01 Monaco/Country Coach/Beaver with hydronic heating... I need a 15-20min hot shower in order to get my back operational on bad mornings.

Can anyone tell me the difference (advantages/disadvantages) between the different systems ... Hurricane/Aqua Hot/Wabasco ? Any known ri$k$ in buying a used unit?

Thank You All ... I'm looking forward to joining the Full-Time community as soon as I can get my 'stuff' whittled down to fit in a 40' box on wheels!!

[Pairajays]

Quote:

Originally Posted by igman2 I'm shopping around for a 98-01 Monaco/Country Coach/Beaver with hydronic heating... I need a 15-20min hot shower in order to get my back operational on bad mornings. Can anyone tell me the difference (advantages/disadvantages) between the different systems ... Hurricane/Aqua Hot/Wabasco ? Any known ri$k$ in buying a used unit? Thank You All ... I'm looking forward to joining the Full-Time community as soon as I can get my 'stuff' whittled down to fit in a 40' box on wheels!!

I've never had a Hurricane, think it may be propane powered. I have had a Webasto system and an AquaHot. The AquaHot is far superior, IMO, but the cost is a lot more. It is packaged in one unit and heats water for both domestic and space heating. I don't think any MH, for the years you are looking at, will have A Webasto system. For info on Webasto and AquaHot.
Aqua-Hot Heating Systems Inc.

Jim E

[WindsorDave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by igman2 I'm shopping around for a 98-01 Monaco/Country Coach/Beaver with hydronic heating... Can anyone tell me the difference (advantages/disadvantages) between the different systems ... Hurricane/Aqua Hot/Wabasco ? Any known ri$k$ in buying a used unit?

This is the place to get any hydronic heat system questions answered. Roger Berke, owner of the forum, is a font of information.
Hydronic Forum
Current, at least since the early 2000's, Aqua Hot and Hydo Hot systems use Webasto burners. I do not know if that has always been the case.

Make sure everything works. Most parts in the system, apart from simple plumbing fittings, are expensive.

FWIW

[igman2]

Thanks for the important links y'all.

I've been cautioned by a long-time Full-Timer that buying a broken unit can be a nightmare expense ... but long, hot, warm-up AM showers are almost a must for me at this point. So I'm just trying to be as smart as possible in doing my homework & qualifying the right rig.

Really appreciate the input

[moisheh]

I hope you do not plan on boondocking with those long showers. In 20 minutes you will come close to filling your grey water tank.

[ottffss]

What windsordave said - he also has the link for details from Mr. Hydronic, Roger Berke...

Can't speak for Hurricane but can for Webasto and AquaHot. Oasis is another brand that got into RVs later than your time frame being mostly marine industry at your time frame.

FWIW Webasto hydronic units are typically used in many Prevost conversions (the $1.5 million and up rigs), and the entire line of commercial buses and APUs for trucks.

AquaHot is a more self-contained heating system (basically all the heater/furnace parts in one box) but it in fact runs a Webasto burner assembly inside that box.

Make absolutely sure the domestic hot water coil is fully intact (never froze). That will be the mega dollar problem. The next big dollar item is the burner assembly, but Roger Berke offers fully rebuilt assemblies to make your life easier though it'll still cost. Fact is, the parts for these machines are basically monopolistic priced due to single source manufacturing. That said, I would not be without a hydronic system due to the exceedingly low amp draw and high heat output from the fuel already in my fuel tank.

[docj]

We have a Hurricane which is diesel-fired, just like the Aqua-Hots. Although I can't provide any comparison information with the other brands, we love ours. I believe Hurricane's primary market these days is marine systems.

I don't know why you want to limit yourself to 15-20 min showers? LOL It is nice not to fight with the DW about who used up all the hot water.

[StuckySB]

Only way to go! I've only used the aqua-hot but love it! Furnace when you are traveling using engine heat and 12V. Just a little cool, then just use electric element, getting colder, turn on diesel burner. Pr-heat engine before starting. More convenient than propane and no need for AC power to run heat pump. And oh yea, endless hot water. I will have one in every coach I own.

[bluepill]

As mentioned, that amount of water usage will be a problem if you are not at a site with full hookups.

I have a bad back, and use a Thermophore electric heat pad. It sits next to the bed, plugged in. I lie on it for 10 - 20 minutes before getting out of bed and it really makes a difference. It might allow you to cut back on the shower time.

[Craig_R]

Our '05 Beaver Monterey has a Hydro Hot system and we love it. Just as some have said; plenty of hot water, does a great job heating the coach and will preheat the engine for you on cold mornings. If it didn't do all the things listed above the wife wouldn't let me back in the coach until it did!

[igman2]

Thanks to all for the generous info and insight.

Ottffss:
"Make absolutely sure the domestic hot water coil is fully intact (never froze). That will be the mega dollar problem." <p>

Is there a simple way to get to the coil to check it for ?? (splits / bulges?) ... or at least get enough eyeballs on it to thoroughly qualify it's health?

[Dr4Film]

I prefer the larger older Aqua-Hot units versus the newer more compact ones. They hold many more gallons of coolant which requires less cycling by the Wabasto diesel burner.

Contact Roger Berke who is one of the country's leading technicians on Aqua-Hot Hydronic Heating Systems. He will give you the straight scoop as to advantages and disadvantages of each.

Regarding the fresh water coils, there in no way to put an eye-ball on those without total removal and dis-assembly. And you DON'T want to have them freeze up. Very costly, don't ask me why I know that.

If you need to winterize the Aqua-Hot system, the safest way is to run RV anti-freeze throughout the entire fresh water loop of the Aqua-Hot system making sure it is full of anti-freeze.

Only my opinion.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[ottffss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr4Film ... Only my opinion.

And they be good ones!

igman - As has been said, you can't get eyeballs on the domestic water coil. Prior owner history is the best bet and can give possible insight if there was a freeze potential (were they good general maintainers, did they store it in cold places and know how- pink the AH not blow it, and the like). If you are nervous about it based on history you can pressure test the coil and that will be a little more involved. Best would be to pressurize the coil itself (you can adapt a radiator type tester) for several days. A less definitive method is to pressurize the AH coolant tank via the radiator cap fill and see if coolant makes its way into the domestic plumbing - which could be very hard to detect. In any case I would specifically ask the owner if there was any possibiility the domestic water system ever froze and if they specifically know of any AH issue. Based on how they answer is your best guide.

[DC Cruiser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottffss And they be good ones! igman - As has been said, you can't get eyeballs on the domestic water coil. Prior owner history is the best bet and can give possible insight if there was a freeze potential (were they good general maintainers, did they store it in cold places and know how- pink the AH not blow it, and the like). If you are nervous about it based on history you can pressure test the coil and that will be a little more involved. Best would be to pressurize the coil itself (you can adapt a radiator type tester) for several days. A less definitive method is to pressurize the AH coolant tank via the radiator cap fill and see if coolant makes its way into the domestic plumbing - which could be very hard to detect. In any case I would specifically ask the owner if there was any possibiility the domestic water system ever froze and if they specifically know of any AH issue. Based on how they answer is your best guide.

On our Aqua Hot there would be no way for the antifreeze solution used for heating to make it into our fresh water system as the water coils are on the outside of boiler tank. On our model when it leaked after being frozen the water just poured out the bottom of the AH unit and also onto the ground. From what I understand some models had the coils inside the boiler so they would be harder to detect a leak I guess.
All things considered I would not be without an AquaHot now that I have been using one and have learned the hard way as to the proper winterizing procedures.

CHEERS