Community Forums

jedtoo · 03-26-2014, 11:46 PM

Have a 2009 American Allegiance with Aqua hot problems going on two years since buying the coach used. Diesel Burner goes off sporadically after running in cold weather. Tapping the back of the Controller makes it come back on for awhile. New Controller installed and still have the same problem. Think the problem is in the wiring harness or wiring. Had someone (not RV repair person) fairly knowledgeable look at harness pins and they all looked to be at the same height. Going to try Contact Cleaner. Any other thoughts appreciated. Hate to drive all the way back to the factory for what could be a simple issue--but tired of freezing. Had other issues regarding wiring of AC and heat pump and electric element of aquahot so have just now gotten down to hopefully what will be the last issue. Pretty certain we know why previous owners got rid of this unit as this has been a long trial the few weeks each spring and fall that we are subjected to being in the cold prior to heading South for the winter.

94-Newmar · 03-27-2014, 03:51 AM

How long has it been since it's last annual service? The fuel nozzle absolutely needs replaced yearly, the spark electrodes need checked/adjusted at the same time along with a check on the fuel pressure. The inner combustion chamber needs removed and cleaned/de-sooted.

A fuel nozzle not spraying well or electrodes out of adjustment, or a weakening fuel pump can eventually cause weak enough flame that the flame sensor can no longer detect it's burning and shut the system down. It is also possible the flame sensor is bad OR so dirty it cannot see flame well enough.

Here is an aquahot unit I just rebuilt.. it's 14 months old...
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f54/aquah...re-195078.html

MandG-Fun · 03-27-2014, 05:47 AM

Jedtoo... sounds like you need to focus on the wiring harnesses since you already swapped out the board. Sharing with you the intermittent issue I had, my control board is located close to the burner unit and they left the wiring harnesses at their original lengths, meaning lots of extra cable coiled up and zip tied. I found that by isolating and wiggling one of the wiring harnesses I could get the system to come on. In my case the issue was at the burner side of the harness not up by the control board. I carefully unwrapped each harness and shortened each wire as well as replacing all spade crimp connectors (both male and female). I also double checked all connectors where they attach to the control board. That was 6 months ago and my intermittent issues disappeared and my wiring is all nice a tidy. Your coach is 9 years newer than mine so that may not be the issue but thought I would share.

One other thought. I have spoken with the AquaHot service department several times and while they have been helpful they also made me aware of a local guy who worked for AH for years and now has his own mobile repair business. I've spoken with him and he's very willing to talk through issues on the phone and provide recommendations. His name is Johnny Carrillo (970) 518-3085. Also very knowledgeable and helpful is Roger Burke, he has a forum dedicated to AH and is very responsive RV Hydronic Heater Forum

Best of luck with your troubleshooting.

Cat320 · 03-27-2014, 03:29 PM

Have you tried the AH forum: Activity Stream - RV Hydronic Heater Forum

jedtoo · 04-16-2014, 12:51 PM

Just wanted to update and thank all of you who helped us find a solution to our aqua-hot issue. Roger Berke's forum is incredible and he personally made sure our issues were solved when we did find a certified aqua-hot mechanic. There never was anything wrong with the control box that had been replaced. All the tapping we were doing was activating the motor not the control box. The motor was bad. Roger said they sometimes get a flat spot on them and that is why tapping them reactivates the motor. It finally quit entirely.

The good news is we found Bill Bryant of West Side Mechanics thru the certified aqua-hot site. He is in Des Moines, IA and we were passing thru there the next couple of days. The aquahot issue was totally resolved in a couple of hours and we've now turned over a number of other issues to him as he is exceptionally knowledgeable on all RV issues from engine to antenna to refrig., you name it.

Just a question for anyone who owns a 2009 American Allegiance--do you have or have you had issues with your Atwood Thermostat. We are going on three years owning our coach and haven't yet resolved the issue of it turning from furnace to off on either zone 1 or 2 intermittently. Usually happens mainly in colder weather (of course, when you really need it--wake up in the middle of the night and it's turned itself off--freezing.) Will happen whether we are on shore power, or generator, or no power on inverter. We believe it has always been defective and should have been solved under warranty with the original owner but wasn't. Sounds like it will require major work rewiring, etc. Would like to know if others have had this problem.