Community Forums

vettehead · 02-18-2012, 12:56 PM

We have just upgraded to a 06 Monaco EXE from a fifth wheel. Went on a short trip last week just to learn all the bells and whistles.
Our unit has the Aqua Hot system, and it works fine on Diesel. The question is, Just how well do these units work on electric?
I never did get any heat what so ever using electric. Tap water never got luke warm.
The operators manual states diesel is the primary heat, electric is secondary. I can live with that.
The ambient temp was around 40.
Is this how these systems work? This is the first experence I have had with the A H.

ottffss · 02-18-2012, 01:09 PM

Search these forums for dozens of posts on that. The electric side is ONLY 1200 watts or so. That will give you some idea of heating capacity.

You'll get heating to maybe about 50-55F outside with that low wattage OR some 4-5mins of hot water. The reheat time will be a while (hour++) as well. When used within those ranges, the electric side only will do just fine.

Yes, you can run BOTH elec and diesel at the same time. No, you can NOT upgrade the electric side.

radams · 02-18-2012, 01:13 PM

Assuming that everything is functioning properly, then yes, the electric is much slower to heat the water. When plugged into shore power I generally have the electric side running and when shower time rolls around I turn on the diesel burner too. It doesn't hurt anything to have both on BTW. Since I'm generally not paying for electricity it saves me a little money.

Roger Berke · 02-18-2012, 01:38 PM

The electric portion of your Aqua-Hot was installed to keep the unit hot and ready for use. You will get minimal heating ability from the electric side only. The electric element is 1450 watts. It will take several hours to heat your Aqua-Hot just using the electric element. As you indicated the diesel is the primary heat source (45,000 BTU).

You can verify that the electric is working by checking the energy management system in your coach. When electric element is operating, it will draw 12.6 amps. If your coach is connected to electric meter, you will see notable increase in power consumption when element is turned on.

- Roger Berke -
http://www.Forum.RVHYD.com

Tsronco · 02-18-2012, 02:25 PM

Roger,

Is the 5 mins hot water true out of the electric element ? if so then why even bother with the electric side ?we are looking at a aspire which has the lp ah and if I have to run the burner side of it all the time , that would be a deal breaker for me. Thanks for your expertise on this subject

Roger Berke · 02-18-2012, 02:50 PM

The electric element keeps the unit hot and ready for use. For most of us, we stay in RV parks that include the electric as part of the space rental. I usually turn on the electric and leave it on when I am in a RV Park.

You will use surprising little diesel fuel or LP gas. Usage is of course dependent on how cold it is outside, and how warm you want the inside of your coach. Coach owners with diesel systems report usages in the 1-2 gallon a day range. The LP models are much newer, however the published usages on the Aqua-Hot website are in similar ranges.

- Roger Berke -
http://www,/Forum.RVHYD.com

ottffss · 02-18-2012, 03:09 PM

My 45footer camping at averages of 20F(day) 0F(nite) averages 3 gal/day on the AH (over several thousand hours of this use) and about 30KwHr/day for all elec use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsronco

...if I have to run the burner side of it all the time , that would be a deal breaker for me....

Like others have said, in more reasonable climates, one effective use pattern is to run elec and when shower time comes flick on the diesel - no waiting time for an unlimited shower either.

Tsronco · 02-18-2012, 04:25 PM

Ok so the burner side would only be put on when showering washing clothes and washing dishes?

Roger Berke · 02-18-2012, 04:32 PM

You need the burner on for unlimited hot water for showers.

For washing dishes and clothes, it depends on how much hot water you require. Experiment a little.

You will need the burner on to heat the coach.

Most coach owners leave the electric turned on all of the time. When you need to heat the coach or take shower turn on the burner.

- Roger Berke -
http://www.Forum.RVHYD.com

ottffss · 02-18-2012, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsronco

Ok so the burner side would only be put on when showering washing clothes and washing dishes?

To repeat previous info again:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottffss

...You'll get heating to maybe about 50-55F outside with that low wattage OR some 4-5mins of hot water. The reheat time will be a while (hour++) as well. When used within those ranges, the electric side only will do just fine....

ANYTHING MORE, YOU NEED DIESEL. Experiment for your particular needs.

PS: elec only is fine to run my dishwasher and even clothes washer on warm water not hot water. Unless you wash dishes using as much hot water as a shower, elec only is fine for that too.

Tsronco · 02-18-2012, 04:52 PM

I understand what ur all saying but I'm looking at a propane aqua not a diesel one so my propane tank is 30 gallons that means if I'm running heat all night, I'm gonna burn 2 gallons of propane a day (plus cooking) so then the propane version is my deal breaker not the diesel version which has a 150 gallon tank

MrBud · 02-18-2012, 08:14 PM

My Hydro-hot makes enough hot water on electric for my "navy" shower, but DW requires diesel for her regular showers. That is the only time the diesel gets turned on.

B Bob · 02-18-2012, 08:37 PM

We have found out we do not need to turn on the diesel burner for showers or dishes. The electric on our coach provides approx 10 gal of heated water.

Just MHO but buying a propane aqua hot really kills one of the reasons to get aqua hot, and that is you can use the diesel tank to power it. I would suggest to get a motor home with diesel aqua hot. If you are going to have propane just get a simpler system than aqua hot. Aqua hot have many parts. We have spent maybe 2,000 bucks in the last two years keeping the aqua hot running. And don't forget that with aqua hot you have recirculation motors running all the time. So that is a problem with our sleeping. We bought thick feather quilts so we would not have to run the aqua hot when we were not plugged in. But then if it is freezing outside you have to fun aqua hot so your basements don't freeze.

IMHO HAC is an area ready for big improvements in coaches. I replaced my roof ACs when I bought the coach and they are still noisy. And the before mentioned issues with aqua hot.

Cat320 · 02-19-2012, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radams

Assuming that everything is functioning properly, then yes, the electric is much slower to heat the water. When plugged into shore power I generally have the electric side running and when shower time rolls around I turn on the diesel burner too. It doesn't hurt anything to have both on BTW. Since I'm generally not paying for electricity it saves me a little money.

Same here. Electric works for dishes, normal hand washing, etc. Plus we can normally get one shower out of it. But, as noted above, especially when cold outside, we turn on the burner at shower time. BTW, never heard of an AH using propane.