Diesel vs Propane AquaHot

[Selah]

To the OP: what type of fridge are you going to have? If it is a residential there is absolutely no reason of any kind to have a propane AquaHot. If it is going to be an absorbtion fridge I have to ask why?

[HarleySG]

Originally Posted by Selah

To the OP: what type of fridge are you going to have? If it is a residential there is absolutely no reason of any kind to have a propane AquaHot. If it is going to be an absorbtion fridge I have to ask why?

Unless you have a propane stove.

[HarleySG]

Originally Posted by Arby49

Thanks for all the input. At Thanksgiving we were up in Ohio, so had to run the furnaces quite a bit in our Dynasty while rolling, so ran the generator and put the AquaHot on diesel. What is the procedure when using propane?

I don't really have a procedure for usage. Maybe i don't know better.

Simply turn it on and forget it. Unless you're traveling through a tunnel where you may have to pull over in the designated area to turn off the gas at the tank before entering. This could be a draw-back for some, but I've only had to do this at the Hampton Roads Tunnel in VA Beach. Based on my travels anyway.

[Smitty77]

(My wife will be nodding her head to the opening sentence!)

I'm and odd duck. (That sentence....) We have had vast experience of a grand total of two RV's since early 2003, so a mere babe in the woods compared to some of the RV Vets on this forum!

Our 98 T-28 Bounder. Had LP stove/oven/fridge/water heater/furnace. Don't remember how big the L tank was, but with our usage, we'd fill it about twice a year. (And of course, we were working then, so did not travel for months at a time.) I think we used the furnace maybe 4 - 5 times, preferring to use a 1500W portable heater most of the time when needed. So I'd say the largest usage of propane was our water heater.

Our current coach has diesel HydroHot, with a single element electric, and engine loop too. As built, the only draws on LP were the Norcold 1200 and the 3 burner Stove Top. We'd go two years between topping off the LP. (No longer have the Norcold, so now that large tank is feeding a 3 burner stove. We topped the tank when the Samsung Res Fridge was installed, and dang if two years late LP tank is still registering full!

So here are my thoughts on LP vs Diesel Aqua/HydroHot:

-If I had a coach that was else wise all electric, I would not want LP Aqua/Hydro Hot. For the stated reasons above, to not lose a bay of storage, and also carry the extra probably 400-600 or maybe more pounds.

-If I had propane oven/stove/fridge, and even possibly an additional propane furnace. And the propane tank was of significant size, I'd be OK with the propane Aqua/Hydro Hot. Easier maintenance is one bonus. And I was told, but it could be campfire lore, that the propane unit burning unit is not as loud as the diesel.

-One other advantage of LP that I don't recall seeing in this post. Is for extended camping you can add an external Propane Tank via Extend A Stay. And or, you can always supplement your needs via portable 20lbs LP tanks too.

While I'd be OK with the LP Aqua/Hydro Hot, my preference would still be the diesel unit. Would like one with a double element vs single, but we get by find on the single.

One other observation, if the coach can be ordered with heated floors, I'd also go with that. We really enjoy ours, and it with the single element heat Hydro Hot - are enough heat to keep our coach warm down into the mid 30's. Then depending upon shore power or non shore power, we either run 1500W portable heater to help it out. Or off shore power, I'll run our Mr Heater Buddy (Large unit with fan.) With the Samsung ridge, we now have stubbed out a quick disconnect to run the Buddy.

We have been down into single digit temps for periods of time while boon docking. We'd fire up the diesel on the HyrdoHot along with the Mr Heater Buddy, both set on high in the early AM. Would take about 20-30 mins to get the temps up to mid 60's inside. Turn off the HydroHot until shower time. And turned the Buddy down to the low single element setting. And would retain heat. Anytime we would run the generator, we'd also have the floor heat set up to 95. Once that heat mass was heated, it will help for long periods afterwards. So we'd maximize the use of diesel for the generator!

I suppose it comes down to how a person plans to use the coach. Shore power to Shore power, the LP source would not be a problem, especially with double element electric. If boon docking quite a bit, I'd go with the diesel option if it's available.

Best of luck to you,
Smitty

[select55]

the diesel stinks and if camping in close quarters your neighbours hate you
if its a little drafty out the fumes sink into the MH at times through slide
air leaks. I suppose adding a exhaust venturi eliminates this issue? I see a lot of sites require such etc
the LPG will not require the extensive servicing the diesel does
carrying a 40 usable gallons of lpg at a extra 250 lbs(with tank) is simply a non issue for me

[nssracer]

I have a 2014 Aspire with propane. I bought the coach and at first did not want propane as the coach before the the Aquahot ran on diesel. After 3 years it really is no difference to me. I fill my propane tank in March and it lasts till fall. I would think the propane tank full, adds weight to the coach but as heavy as these things are it probably does not matter. So bottom line next coach I buy this will be way down the list of item to worry about. Thanks, Doug

[ddgilmore]

I purchased new, a 2013 Entegra Aspire. The coach is equipped with a 375LP Aqua Hot unit(elec./propane burner). We travel mostly the west coast but ventured back east a couple of years ago for our PDI and traveled to Deleware. My DW enjoys the propane stove(although; we don't use it often the Aqua Hot unit has performed well, with the exception of a faulty buckboard. I may jinx myself by saying, I haven't experienced any problems with the pumps... Have other Entegra Aspire owners had pump problems?? As to propane consumption, we fill once annually.. We have travelled 20,000 plus miles.. The propane unit has, thus far, performed satisfactorily..maintenance is minimal with the propane unit..love our Entegra

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by select55

there is no comparison between a LPG aquahot system and a lpg generator system other than they both use LPG

Actually there is because you will deplete your propane sooner than the diesel, so it would be a deal breaker for me.

[FreshAir]

Have changed two pumps but No pump problems here associated with LPG usage.
I carry a 5 gal propane tank and have the Extend A Stay propane hose kit. We can stay on our AZ property for months at a time and never have to move the coach. In AZ I hardly ever tap into the main 50 gal. tank as 5 gallons of propane will normally last a week while plugged in and temps at night in mid 30 to 45 degree range. When I go to town in the toad I'll fill the 5 gal. tank when needed. Short stays when not plugged into AC I may occasionally use some from the coach LP tank. I'll take propane over diesel in a heart beat. I sleep with windows open.

I ran gasser's with propane for 30 years prior to my new Entegra which by the way, I love. I am well aware of what it's like to have diesels next to you in close quarters and now always try to be as considerate as possible. FWIW.

pat

[brobox]

Good solution Pat. The OP is looking at an Insignia, the new entry level coach by Entegra. It is not going to have all of the high $$ upgrades that so many are dead set they would not own a coach without.

Like you, at the price, I can make it work and make it work comfortably. You did just that. Entry level coach are priced that way because they are not Cornerstones and you won't get Cornerstone equipment.