Let's talk about heat...

[g_man1146]

Hi Pete,

Although I am not familiar with your AquaHot setup, I can tell you
how the AquaHot #431 is set up in my '99.

I have three zones of heat supplied by the AquaHot PLUS a bay loop
that provides heat there.

I have the Dometic three zone AC/Heat control that operates all
three air conditioners BUT ONLY controls TWO heat zones (Bedroom and
kitchen/living area including a heat exchanger under the dash). The
third AquaHot heat zone is in the bathroom and controlled by a
Robert Shaw thermostat identical to the one next to it that controls
the bathroom electric heat. All fans are a very quiet "computer
type" cooling fan. there are two in each heat exchanger.

<<SNIPS>>
> The fan for the radiator beneath the kitchen cabinets sounds like
ajet taking off ... but (thankfully) the one under the sofa is
barely audible.

I had a broken mount on the fan for the heat exchanger under the
kitchen sink. It is located so it is vulnerable when winterizing the
instant hot. The blades were rubbing slightly and the repair
resulted in whisper quiet operation. If it is just a noisy fan you
may be able to swap it out with the pancake type used in the others.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> Now here's where it gets interesting. The thermostat above the
driver doesn't seem to do much, if anything, with the heat. There
appears to be a radiator in the dashboard area and a very gentle bit
of heat comes out. If a fan is running, I can't hear it. I would
expect this heat would be controlled by the front thermostat, but
it seems to work in connection with the center one.

On my coach that heat exchanger is controlled by the center
thermostat. Because it is farthest from the AquaHot you may need to
adjust the valve that feeds that loop.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>
> Finally, the AquaHot has radiators and fans in the basement with a
> "cold" thermostat that allows setting the temperature as low as 40
> degrees. If the thermostats in the "upstairs" are all off, then
the fans come on, but I didn't detect any heat (perhaps I didn't
wait long enough). Does the basement heat work independently of
the other > heat?


I believe the bay zone is a slave from the bathroom loop. If you
don't run this zone no hot water will circulate through the bay heat
exchangers.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> In addition, I have 3 thermostats (square-shaped) that control
> electric heat. Two of the electric heaters are in the bathroom
with two thermostats. This is convenient as you can make the
bathroom rather toasty during a shower and you can also select the
heater that > doesn't burn your feet depending on where you're
standing in the bathroom.


AS previously stated the second thermostat in the bathroom is the
AquaHot heat.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> The third thermostat is right next to the Dometic one in the
center of the coach. When a switch is set to "cool" it operates the
roof mounted ventilator fan. When the switch is set to "heat"
there's a loud "click" but nothing happens. I can see a grill
similar to those in the bathroom for an electric heater under the
kitchen cabinets. I presume this is an electric heater like those in
the bathroom, but it apparently isn't working. (What kind of heater
is this? Where can I get parts or replacements?)


These are 120VAC "toe space heaters "Cadet" and other companies make
them. First see if there is an additional thermostat on the front of
the heater - is yes, turn it all the way up. If not, turn the power
off and pull out your dead heater. See if there is an overheat
protection device inside (some were on the front) and reset it.
NOTE: If it tripped there is a reason, usually they become clogged
with dust/lint and if so vacuum it out well before putting it back.



>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> In addition, there is, apparently a chassis heating system that's
> controlled by the same controller that operates the chassis AC.
It blows out warm air through the same vents that the chassis AC
uses. I don't know if it provides heat elsewhere in the coach.

On my '90 without AquaHot there were additional chassis heaters. On
this coach with AquaHot there are no additional chassis heaters.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> There is a switch on the dashboard called "hydronic heat" -- I
have this switch on (since I want the heat to work) -- but what,
exactly,> does it do? Will the Aquahot work with it off? Or, does
this use heat from the engine?

This switch activates the circuit for the AquaHot's diesel burner.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>
> Lastly, the Aquahot burner (runs on diesel) doesn't come on
> consistently with the arrival of heat. Is there an electric
heating element as well? Does this provide initial/low heat levels?

The AquaHot boiler gets its heat from three separate sources; An
electric element when connected to shore or generator, the diesel
(Webasto) burner and from an engine loop when the bus engine is
running. The diesel burner is set to come on when the boiler
temperature falls below 190 degrees and the dash "Hydronic Heat"
switch is ON. The electric element has a 198 degree thermostat and
that will operate whether or not the dash switch is ON, as long as
the circuit breaker (mine is marked "Hot Water") is on and you have
120 VAC.

You can still download manuals from Vehicle Systems web site if your
blue box does not have what you need.

Rich D. '99LXi43' CT

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> Any help with these questions will be appreciated. (I've spent
time
> with the blue box --- but it's very general and isn't very
specific
> about the heating system.) We're in the midst of a "cold snap"
where
> the lows have been around 28 (highs in mid 50s) ... so I want to
be
> sure that nothing will freeze up, so I've got the heat on in the
> bedroom at 50 degrees or so and the basement does seem warmer
than
> the outside air in the morning. The coach also has 30 Amps of
shore
> power (keeping the batteries up) in its present state.
>
> Pete Masterson
> aeonix1@...
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
> El Sobrante, CA
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>