Heating the fresh water tank

[merle&louise]

During the Santa Fe rally (POG #2) I mentioned having a problem with the ground water being very cold. When taking a shower the Aqua Hot would run out of HOT water. Someone suggested (I believe that it was JDUB) filling the fresh water tank in the morning and turning up the bay heaters to warm up the ground water that was filling the tank. That way the Aqua Hot was heating 70 degree water instead of 50 degree water. I have tried this and it works, but it just seems like there is a better way.

Has anyone installed a heating element in their fresh water tank to provide a truly endless supply of hot water? I know that Aqua Hot claims that you can have an endless supply of hot water, but I think we all know that is not the case.

[jack14r]

Tuga, My Liberty has an endless supply of hot water with a 20 gallon hot water heater and a inline hot water heater behind that,the inline will only work with the generator because it draws 38 amps on both legs.The inline will raise 1.5 GPM 40 degrees,it is plumbed to the shower,(but that is where my wife needs it).

[truk4u]

Tuga,

I had Aqua Hot in 2 plastic CC's and they truly would not run out of hot water while diesel fired. You have probably beat this to death, but there must be something wrong with your system.

I would take the Aqua Hot over the Webasto any day, due to it's 110v heating capabilities when you don't want to use diesel.

[garyde]

Hi Tom. My Water Heaters have 120 volt circuit for heating the water as well as Webasto or engine. Are you sure you don't have 120 volt.

[merle&louise]

Tuga, My Liberty has an endless supply of hot water with a 20 gallon hot water heater and a inline hot water heater behind that,the inline will only work with the generator because it draws 38 amps on both legs.The inline will raise 1.5 GPM 40 degrees,it is plumbed to the shower,(but that is where my wife needs it).

Jack,

Is the inline heater an Aqua Hot system or something else?

Tom,

In my 1993 Newell the Aqua Hot would provide a hot shower for about 7 minutes then after that it cooled fast. This coach (1999) does a little better than that. If I follow JDUB's routine of filling the fresh water tank and allowing 12 hours or so for the bay heaters to warm up the cold water supply my wife can take her usual 15 minute scalding hot shower. I was just hoping that someone else has come up with a solution to this problem. So far it sounds like Jack has the solution: an inline water heater.

[merle&louise]

Tuga,

I had Aqua Hot in 2 plastic CC's and they truly would not run out of hot water while diesel fired. You have probably beat this to death, but there must be something wrong with your system.

I would take the Aqua Hot over the Webasto any day, due to it's 110v heating capabilities when you don't want to use diesel.

Tom,

If I use only the Aqua Hot's 120v system for heating water I will have only enough hot water to wash my hands. After that it is all cold. It was the same way on my previous Aqua Hot in the 93 Newell.

I wonder if we have different Aqua Hot systems? Mine is a Model 431/12. It looks exactly like Loc's unit (2002 Millennum).

[jack14r]

Tuga, I have a Titan N-85 inline water heater which is after the 20 gallon heater and only for the shower,my wife cannot run the hot water out in the shower,this only works with the generator on because of the current draw.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

We have the 22 gallon Raritan HW heater which uses an engine coolant heat exchanger or an electric element. That has always proven ample. But we always draw from the tank, and rarely use city water direct. Our water bay stays pretty warm so the delta T is not significant.

[Loc]

Tuga,

I have yet to run out of hot water using the AH. I am always the last to get in the shower and even after the boys 20 minute play/shower and Courtenay's 15 minute shower the water is still piping hot. Sometimes the gray water tank is not large enough, but never a hot water problem. Of course by stating this I am assured of a hot water issue on my next trip.

Loc

[phorner]

Tuga,

My experience with the Aqua Hot was that it would not maintain continuous hot water while on 120 volt electric only..... the diesel burner HAD to be on to maintain endless hot water, which in my case it did.

Of course, we've NEVER run out of hot water in the Liberty...