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Hydro-hot mixer valve

Yahoo Message Number: 91616
I have just replaced the mixer valve on my hydro-hot. This has to be the toughest job I have ever done on my coach. A real bear. I now understand why many will not attempt this job. For the record I do much of the maintenance on my coach so I felt competent to do the job. Two issues; placement and plumbing of the valve by Aqua-hot was close to dumb, second, CC plumbing gave zero forethought to maintenance. Various hoses obstructed access to almost everything. Things went fairly well until the engine preheat return hose popped off it's fitting due to a poor choice by CC, i.e. a spring clamp instead of a screw on hose clamp. Thus, a major coolant dump. By the time I found a way to plug the hose I was facing a major cleanup. Then, when everything was assembled it came time to pull the plug and re-install the coolant return hose. I crimped the hose, removed the plug and began a difficult task of returning the hose to it's proper fitting. Of course the crimp came loose and thus a second coolant dump. Does this sound like a Chinese fire drill? Anyway, the job is almost done. Water lines have been reconnected as well as coolant lines. Remaining is to replenish coolant and then system test. Fingers crossed.
Lyle Wetherholt
04 Intrigue 11740

Re: Hydro-hot mixer valve

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 91617
Went through this drill now, I exercise the adjustment every week or so with the hot water running to break up the calcium buildup;

Jim 07 Allure #31570

Re: Hydro-hot mixer valve

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 91618
I've read that the mixer valve needs to be operated but my new to me Intrigue AquaHot Mixer Valve seems to be frozen but the water temps are good so I'm leaving it alone.

John 08 Intrigue #12235 10 Ford Escape

Re: Hydro-hot mixer valve

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 91620
John,

It'll probably be ok for awhile, maybe? The mix-valve can be re-built, aqua's # PLX-4A8-18R - cost $85 & yes got it in stock. I've seen the valve do some funny things, full hot, full cold, and my favorite, hot, cold, cold, cold, - HOT ! So much fun trying to take a shower when that happens...

Jim

Infinity Coach

From:johndpedersen@... Sent: Monday, September 30, 2013 6:50 PM To:Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] RE: Hydro-hot mixer valve

I've read that the mixer valve needs to be operated but my new to me Intrigue AquaHot Mixer Valve seems to be frozen but the water temps are good so I'm leaving it alone.

John

08 Intrigue #12235
10 Ford Escape

---In country-coach-owners@yahoogroups.com, wrote:

Went through this drill now, I exercise the adjustment every week or so with the hot water running to break up the calcium buildup;

Jim 07 Allure #31570

---In country-coach-owners@yahoogroups.com, wrote:

I have just replaced the mixer valve on my hydro-hot. This has to be the toughest job I have ever done on my coach. A real bear. I now understand why many will not attempt this job. For the record I do much of the maintenance on my coach so I felt competent to do the job. Two issues; placement and plumbing of the valve by Aqua-hot was close to dumb, second, CC plumbing gave zero forethought to maintenance. Various hoses obstructed access to almost everything. Things went fairly well until the engine preheat return hose popped off it's fitting due to a poor choice by CC, i.e. a spring clamp instead of a screw on hose clamp. Thus, a major coolant dump. By the time I found a way to plug the hose I was facing a major cleanup. Then, when everything was assembled it came time to pull the plug and re-install the coolant return hose. I crimped the hose, removed the plug and began a difficult task of returning the hose to it's proper fitting. Of course the crimp came loose and thus a second coolant dump. Does this sound like a Chinese fire drill? Anyway, the job is almost done. Water lines have been reconnected as well as coolant lines. Remaining is to replenish coolant and then system test. Fingers crossed.
Lyle Wetherholt
04 Intrigue 11740

Re: Hydro-hot mixer valve

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 91621
Forgot, sometimes running vinegar thru the valve will break up the junk and let it operate again as well as break up the build up in the coil for better flow. We had a hydro hot this summer that the build up was so bad it was just a dribble at the faucets. Couple gallons of vinegar ran thru, let sit overnight, all kinds of white build up came out of it, but when finished up - ran like new, best pressure he said it's ever had, of course the coach was 15 years old

From:johndpedersen@... Sent: Monday, September 30, 2013 6:50 PM To:Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] RE: Hydro-hot mixer valve

I've read that the mixer valve needs to be operated but my new to me Intrigue AquaHot Mixer Valve seems to be frozen but the water temps are good so I'm leaving it alone.

John

08 Intrigue #12235
10 Ford Escape

---In country-coach-owners@yahoogroups.com, wrote:

Went through this drill now, I exercise the adjustment every week or so with the hot water running to break up the calcium buildup;

Jim 07 Allure #31570

---In country-coach-owners@yahoogroups.com, wrote:

I have just replaced the mixer valve on my hydro-hot. This has to be the toughest job I have ever done on my coach. A real bear. I now understand why many will not attempt this job. For the record I do much of the maintenance on my coach so I felt competent to do the job. Two issues; placement and plumbing of the valve by Aqua-hot was close to dumb, second, CC plumbing gave zero forethought to maintenance. Various hoses obstructed access to almost everything. Things went fairly well until the engine preheat return hose popped off it's fitting due to a poor choice by CC, i.e. a spring clamp instead of a screw on hose clamp. Thus, a major coolant dump. By the time I found a way to plug the hose I was facing a major cleanup. Then, when everything was assembled it came time to pull the plug and re-install the coolant return hose. I crimped the hose, removed the plug and began a difficult task of returning the hose to it's proper fitting. Of course the crimp came loose and thus a second coolant dump. Does this sound like a Chinese fire drill? Anyway, the job is almost done. Water lines have been reconnected as well as coolant lines. Remaining is to replenish coolant and then system test. Fingers crossed.
Lyle Wetherholt
04 Intrigue 11740

Re: Hydro-hot mixer valve

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 91626
Lyle - That was a read that seemed like one of my projects!!!

On the vinegar rinse. What is the process to introduce vinegar to the system?
TIA, Smitty
04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)
 

Re: Hydro-hot mixer valve

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 91638
Lyle - I feel your pains as someone who's been through the replacement.
I've chronicled that task here:

http://www.muniac.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=95#Post95 +1 on all points regarding no consideration given to routine maintenance. I reinstalled my new valve using faucet feeder hoses making access to the valve easy. Removing it now is also easy. The BIG one is breaking off the heat exchanger tube at the tank. An expensive mistake. My feeder hoses avoid this from happening. Keep in mind that valve can be easily taken apart and cleaned. The cold water seat is what gets obstructed with sediment causing a failure in the valve to produce colder water at the faucet. A safety feature. Use some high vacuum grease (Dow Corning) on the valve stem and O-rings. The grease is stable from -40F to 400F.

I also took about 2+ pounds of calcium salts out of the heat exchanger. See article here:

http://www.muniac.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=204#Post204 If you're having hot water performance issues, this may well be something to consider. The stir pump blades disintegrate too which causes poor performance. Replacing the valve won't solve either of those problem. The Hydro-Hot (an $8k option) falls way short of the mark in my book on good design. It's been extremely problematic and requires constant maintenance. More than is should. As of late, mine is running very well. My "Mr. Fixit" articles cover all that I've been through with the Hydro-Hot. I also did an analysis on the maintenance costs. Not pleasant reading.

I've also changed the breather cap to run the system at atmospheric pressure and still allow the overflow reservoir to percolate properly.
There's no need (@ 190F) to incur mechanical stresses on the tank, fittings and hoses by running them at 13 PSI. I did this mod about 5 years ago.

Sorry I haven't been posting here lately. Been involved with other time consuming projects. Good luck and safe travels to everyone.

Best - Scott

2006 Allure 430 40' #31349

(Bus-Stead Lemon) My Allure Page http://www.muniac.com/Allure%20Page.html