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Hydro-Hot Query

Yahoo Message Number: 54947
We've just returned from our first trip in our '06 34' Allure (replaced a '02 32' Intrigue with no slides) and are underwhelmed with the Hydro-Hot system. Aside from zone 1 not delivering any heat (Allure is in the shop getting that fixed!!) the air volume coming out of the vents seems really low compared to the volume from the Intrigue's forced air furnace. I realize that the two are not comparable; but I'm curious as to what all the hype is about regarding the Hydro-Hot. I saw the original invoice for our coach and was surprised at the cost of the Hydro-Hot system for something that doesn't seem to be very efficient system.
Has anyone done a retro-fit on the fans to increase air flow, or adjustable fan speeds? Can you increase the fan speed of the existing fans? What is the most efficient way to use the system when dry camping? If you're in a hook-up spot can you use the diesel mode to get the system hot quickly, then switch to electric for the duration of your stay and still get the same temperature hot water, and temperature out of the coach heating system?
It may be that I don't know how to effectively use the system yet, so I'd appreciate any input.
Thanks

Re: Hydro-Hot Query

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 54948
Assuming the thermostat and fans are working for zone 1 and zone 2, go out to the HydroHot while it is running. Feel the brass elbows at the top of HydroHot. If one is hot (zone 2) and the other is cool (zone 1), give the cool elbow a good rap with a hammer -- calcium buildup on the zone 1 valve may have prevented it from opening. You should feel it getting hot in less than one minute. This can happen if it has not been used for several months.
There is not sufficient heat from the electric element only to heat zone 1 and/or zone 2. Use it to keep the hot faucet water hot.
If you have close neighbors, do not run the HydroHot at night -- too noisy for some people.

Herb

2007 Allure #31466

Re: Hydro-Hot Query

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 54950
JR,
1. Yes, use the HydoHot (HH), when hooked up, as you described.
2. The HH, on electric only, in our experience, will keep water hot for showers, dishes, washing machine, as you suggest, except when its trying to heat the interior too, then it can't stay up to operating temps.
3. On shore power, for heating purposes alone the HH on electric only will, in our experience, keep the coach warm down to outside temps in the 40s, then it can't keep up and you need to turn the diesel on.
4. On travel days, on cooler mornings, with the diesel burner on, turn on the engine preheat on for 1-2 hours for a warn engine and easy start.
5. On travel days on the road (HH is off) the system circulates and keeps your tap water hot.
6. We use only soft water to minimize calcium build-up.
7. In general we try to avoid using the diesel burner, relying only on electric (only because we did pay the camp fee so why not), as much as possible except in those situations where the electric only can't keep up.

We are satisfied with the performance of the HydroHot but have owned the coach only 16,000 miles so our experience is limited.

--

Lee Zaborowski
07 Intrigue 12153
--------------

Re: Hydro-Hot Query

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 54953
Good day,

Yes you can increase the speed of the motors using a Granger switch #4X087. They are factory set at medium. On cold mornings I use the diesel and turn the fans onto high speed. Many times on shore power after the MH heats up I use just the electric and turn the fans on low. Its much quieter this way.

We dry camp a lot. We have 405 watts of solar. We never use the HH at night even in 16 degree temps. I get up in the morning and turn on the HH and sometimes I even turn on all the stove burners. We keep a window cracked and a roof vent open 1/4 inch. I know this is a no no, so I do not recommend it to anyone without a brain. Once the frost is off my body I turn the burners off and let the HH finish up. We use the gen set about once a day at meals and our batteries stay up just fine.

My personal option, which does not count is if I could build a MH I would not have a HH. But I do and I have learned to live with it.

We love our 34' Allure 31030. We can park where most can not.

John in Nor Cal

Re: Hydro-Hot Query

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 54954
Quote
Quote from: jrwestling"
Hello Mr. ???

Yes, you can change the fan speed. Actually the fans may be three speed but only one speed, probably medium, is hooked up. With an inexpensive switch from Radio Shack you can wire them for three speeds if you wish. Where to put the switch will take some innovation but can be done. I did all three in my Intrigue.
Lyle Wetherholt
04 Intrigue 11740
Las Cruces, NM
> We've just returned from our first trip in our '06 34' Allure (replaced a '02 32' Intrigue with no slides) and are underwhelmed with the Hydro-Hot system. Aside from zone 1 not delivering any heat (Allure is in the shop getting that fixed!!) the air volume coming out of the vents seems really low compared to the volume from the Intrigue's forced air furnace. I realize that the two are not comparable; but I'm curious as to what all the hype is about regarding the Hydro-Hot. I saw the original invoice for our coach and was surprised at the cost of the Hydro-Hot system for something that doesn't seem to be very efficient system.
> Has anyone done a retro-fit on the fans to increase air flow, or adjustable fan speeds? > Can you increase the fan speed of the existing fans? > What is the most efficient way to use the system when dry camping? > If you're in a hook-up spot can you use the diesel mode to get the system hot quickly, then switch to electric for the duration of your stay and still get the same temperature hot water, and temperature out of the coach heating system? > > It may be that I don't know how to effectively use the system yet, so I'd appreciate any input.
Thanks

Re: Hydro-Hot Query

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 54961
I suggest that you wait until it actually works before you pass judgment.
I didn't know there was a 34 footer in '06. You may have one of a kind.

George in Birmingham
'04 Allure 31038
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: Hydro-Hot Query

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 54974
John, do they not have heat on those submarines? Or are you an Eskimo? I use my Hurricane regularly when boondocking. No problem with only two 8D's.

Rich 2002 Magna

Re: Hydro-Hot Query

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55025
We have an '06 Allure, 40' and are very happy with the HH.
When on hookups and it is above 40 or so outside we use the electric only. At the cooler end of the scale we do wait in-between showers if we dont' want to turn on the diesel. WIth the diesel on it is a non-issue.
Also, when on the cooler end while the electric is enough to keep the coach warm at night the fans will be running more frequently. We prefer to turn on the diesel (as well as the electric) when it's cooler so that it doesn't run the fans as long at night.
BTW, we often spend time out in the winter with outside temps in the low-mid 20's and it has always been very comfortable. At this temp range we leave the diesel + electric on all of the time.
Having had a propane forced-air furnace in our last rig the HH is hands-down superior in just about every way and we would always spec one in the future. THe only place the last furnace was better was getting the air temp up faster from the rig being very cold as the air flow was greater. Of course it was a lot noisier and went through propance very quickly as well.

Re: Hydro-Hot Query

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55030
I noticed that someone said that they keep the HH diesel and electric switches on at the same time. The setpoint for the temperature in diesel mode is higher than that for electric mode so nothing is being done by the electricity. This is while the unit is in steady state . If the water is cold , such as when being away from the coach for a while, I suspect that you could have the diesel and electric operating. Once the tank is hot the electric should never come on if diesel is operating . On the newer Aquahot units ( the 650 unit ) there are 2- 1650 watt elements used in the electric mode. On my coach , with electric floor heat and electric mode we can keep the coach toasty into the 20's ( as low as we have seen ) We would not be without a HH in any coach and that would be the same for floor heat.

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025

Re: Hydro-Hot Query

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55031
We experienced some problems with our H/H system when we first took delivery on our 06 Intrigue, but as it turned out the fix was relatively simple. The first thing you have to know is that when the system is installed at the factory (Country Coach) they fill the system and check for leaks. What they don't tell you is that they (the factory) do not purge the system. You may have pockets of air trapped in the system that will eventually work them selves out. The H/H techs tell me that for the first year of operation you may have to add as much as two gallons of the boiler solution to the expansion tank as the air works it's way out of the system, that is assuming that you use the system on a regular basis. For those in a warmer clime, you may elect to use the Heat Pumps more frequently. The H/H techs tell me that the best course of action is to exercise the H/H frequently for the first year of ownership to ensure that all the air has been excised from the system.
The only other problem we had was the H/H working intermittently. This was traced to a bad ground. The ground connection was fixed and we've has no further problems.

Re: Hydro-Hot Query

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55032
Funny I have the same story. My 2006 Allure used coolant at the rate of almost one gallon of mixed coolant per week. I was told about the air and purging the system etc. Finally after about year and a half, I noticed a spot on my bedroom carpet just at the corner. We had also detected a smell, and we could not find it, no matter how hard we cleaned.
Finally I posted this problem on the forum, and Herb gave me a tip. I pulled the panel under the sink and the problem was over. You could see where the wood was discolored from the coolant leaking from the connections on the floor. Removed floor panel tightened connections leak stopped order went away, but carpet is permanently stained. It took me three trips to Holland, three to McMahon's, one to Temecula RV.
So I do read the post on the forum thanks everyone for 2009. Look forward to 2010.

Jim Spivey 2006 Allure 31432
 

Re: Hydro-Hot Query

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55036
I noticed that someone said that they keep the HH diesel and electric switches on at the same time. The setpoint for the temperature in diesel mode is higher than that for electric mode so nothing is being done by the electricity. This is while the unit is in steady state . If the water is cold , such as when being away from the coach for a while, I suspect that you could have the diesel and electric operating. Once the tank is hot the electric should never come on if diesel is operating . On the newer Aquahot units ( the 650 unit ) there are 2- 1650 watt elements used in the electric mode. On my coach , with electric floor heat and electric mode we can keep the coach toasty into the 20's ( as low as we have seen ) We would not be without a HH in any coach and that would be the same for floor heat.

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025