Community Forums

skitcharoo · 12-29-2018, 10:23 AM

I am looking at buying a motorhome with Aqua-hot. Since we would like to stay in a Florida campground for three months during the winter we will run out of diesel fuel to power the Aqua-hot before the winter is over. How do we refill the diesel tank on the motorhome? Do we have to pull off-site and go to a gas station to fill up or do some campgrounds offer some type of mobile service where they come to your site to refill the diesel tank?

Thanks!

Barry

MSHappyCampers · 12-29-2018, 10:26 AM

Hi !

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

I've never heard of a mobile diesel service but they may be out there! Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

saddlesore · 12-29-2018, 10:47 AM

In FL. I think you could get by with just using the electrical side of the A/H except when taking a shower..
Also you could run the heat pumps in your roof A/C system (those are good down to about 45/50 deg).

With a motor home is rather quick and easy to run it over to the fueling station and back.. (ie: 15 min. breakdown camp/15 min. setup when return....)

lwmcguire · 12-29-2018, 11:47 AM

Our heat pumps all perform well down to about 30 degrees. As the other poster noted use the electric element as well and Aqua Hot for showers/washer/ect (high demand or longer times)

In the Midwest bulk fuel trucks will come to camp grounds but not sure of Florida. They also charge a bit more due to the 100 gallon or so volume.

If your in a more restrictive campground then is it going to the fuel source.

HJLowell · 12-29-2018, 12:31 PM

I come into the campground with a full tank.
We keep electric and diesel sides switched on 24/7.

When I fire up in April.
I can never see much movement on the fuel guage.

We run up into South carolina and stop to top off.

We have a washer dryer and also do all laundry on board.

For the last ten years or so with this coach.

I never use the roof units for heat.

I hate to hear them run [emoji848]

Cat320 · 12-30-2018, 09:24 AM

In Florida you'll be able to get by mostly using the electric element. We carry three Lasko electric heaters. The AH uses only .4 GPH when running, so diesel should not be a problem.

falconman · 12-30-2018, 10:04 AM

We stay for several months during the winter in AZ. Fill the tank before arriving and it’s lasts the entire time. If your worried about running out just get a couple of 5 gal diesel jugs and ferry fuel once an awhile while your out with the toad.

ThePowells · 01-01-2019, 08:38 PM

Look for fuel and oil places as many will have the capability to deliver diesel. You may also call a few "heavy equipment" type businesses (grading, ect) as they also have the capability to deliver, but probably not to a private customer. They will however probably tell you who to call that will. Also a large truck road service can also tell you and some have the capability to do it.

Mr_D · 01-01-2019, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat320

In Florida you'll be able to get by mostly using the electric element. We carry three Lasko electric heaters. The AH uses only .4 GPH when running, so diesel should not be a problem.

AquaHot uses .41 GPH at 100% duty cycle. I ran mine all last winter in WA to keep it from freezing. Set thermostat at 45° and used about 10 gallons for the whole winter.

jcussen · 01-01-2019, 08:58 PM

A lot of coaches with aqua-hot have an electric element with a thermostat set higher than the diesel heater. This means that you will not use the diesel fired part unless the electric cannot keep the temps up. My diesel comes on when I take a long shower, but normally electric keeps up unless temps are below 50 f. Fill your tank before you arrive and you will probablly last 3 months.

Dennis4809 · 01-01-2019, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcussen

A lot of coaches with aqua-hot have an electric element with a thermostat set higher than the diesel heater. This means that you will not use the diesel fired part unless the electric cannot keep the temps up. My diesel comes on when I take a long shower, but normally electric keeps up unless temps are below 50 f. Fill your tank before you arrive and you will probablly last 3 months.

What model is your AquaHot? Ones I’ve worked with have a single thermostat that controls both the diesel and electric. Both come on at the same time. I just turn the diesel off unless needed.

Dennis4809 · 01-01-2019, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skitcharoo

I am looking at buying a motorhome with Aqua-hot. Since we would like to stay in a Florida campground for three months during the winter we will run out of diesel fuel to power the Aqua-hot before the winter is over. How do we refill the diesel tank on the motorhome? Do we have to pull off-site and go to a gas station to fill up or do some campgrounds offer some type of mobile service where they come to your site to refill the diesel tank?

Thanks!

Barry

That’s one of the big advantages of an AquaHot. Low fuel usage and a large tank. You should be fine for three month. Suspect that you’ll find that you seldom run the diesel burner. Ours does fine on the electric element unless quite cold. If you were to use propane furnaces, you’d be running for propane.

saddlesore · 01-01-2019, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis4809

What model is your AquaHot? Ones I’ve worked with have a single thermostat that controls both the diesel and electric. Both come on at the same time. I just turn the diesel off unless needed.

Ours is a EXE-100-02s... 2 sets of snap thermostats (elect & diesel)

MO Fred · 01-02-2019, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saddlesore

Ours is a EXE-100-02s... 2 sets of snap thermostats (elect & diesel)

It would help to know what coach you own as a reference... see my posting signature below. As others have said you won’t run out of fuel especially so if you start out with a full tank and staying in Florida. We also use an infrared heater to help keep it warm inside, cutting down on the use of the Aqua Hot.