Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Hydro-Hot/Aqua Hot heat while winterized (Read 1887 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Hydro-Hot/Aqua Hot heat while winterized

Yahoo Message Number: 91899
In documentation of our 2004 Intrique it mentions that Hydro-Hot's primary purpose is domestic hot water and coach heat as secondary. I do not understand that statement, and have further concern of detrimental effect of running the system to heat the coach while winterized, since there is no water in the domestic water lines. Will I do damage to the domestic water heat exchanger?

Re: Hydro-Hot/Aqua Hot heat while winterized

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 91900
The fresh water loop inside the unit will not be damaged if empty and running the unit for heat. The fresh loop is a copper coil inside the tank that is (or should be) full of coolant.

From:bob_rainbolt@... Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2013 4:13 AM To:Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Hydro-Hot/Aqua Hot heat while winterized

In documentation of our 2004 Intrique it mentions that Hydro-Hot's primary purpose is domestic hot water and coach heat as secondary. I do not understand that statement, and have further concern of detrimental effect of running the system to heat the coach while winterized, since there is no water in the domestic water lines. Will I do damage to the domestic water heat exchanger?

Re: Hydro-Hot/Aqua Hot heat while winterized

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 91904
You will do no damage to your domestic hot water system when using the HydroHot for heat with empty domestic water.
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: Hydro-Hot/Aqua Hot heat while winterized

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 91905
As a side note AquaHot will not honor their warrantee on a damaged hot water coil due to freezing if winterized by blowing out the water lines with air. They insist that the water system be winterized by pumping in potable antifreeze. It is in fact the only sure way as blowing out the water with air can leave pockets of water in low spots.

Re: Hydro-Hot/Aqua Hot heat while winterized

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 91907
Why not call the manufacturer for the undisputed answer.
Vehicle Systems number should be in the manual...........

Re: Hydro-Hot/Aqua Hot heat while winterized

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 91910
I am sorry but I do not agree with the "no damage" advice. I know this is given by many including Roger Berke, however last winter I drained my system completely, the coach was in a barn and the temperature never went below freezing, however there were occasions where I ran the Aquahot to provide some heat whilst working on the coach. When I refilled the fresh water system in the spring I had some leaks from the hot and cold pipes to the box itself. It would seem that the heat dried the joints, tightening some helped but in the end I changed out the pipes and connections. I am convinced that the problem was running heating with no fresh water as I did not have the problem the previous winter and I had not drained the system that year!

Michael

2008 Allure 31683

Re: Hydro-Hot/Aqua Hot heat while winterized

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 91913
Michael,

That's an interesting theory but I doubt that running the HH was the cause of your fresh water leaks. All the fresh water connections to the HH are either PEX or soldered copper tube. Neither are subject to being dried out as you describe.
I assume the leaks were from the PEX joints. I suspect that they leaked because they sometimes leak.
I ran the HH in my '04 Allure every winter with fresh water drained and never had a problem with leaks until, one day in the middle of summer, one of the PEX fittings leaked. Easily fixed and most likely unrelated to my winter use.
George in Birmingham '03 Magna 6298
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: Hydro-Hot/Aqua Hot heat while winterized

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 91932
Michael,

Running the system when it is winterized it perfectly ok. I agree with George, the plastic fitting on the back of the heater do leak from time to time. I would replace them with no lead brass fittings. Then you'll never have to worry about them leaking again.

Thank you,

Former Technical Advisor for Aqua Hot Heating Systems of 9 Years Over 14 Years of Experience

John Carrillo

Hydronic Heating Specialist
9143 Harlequin Cir.
Frederick, CO. 80504
Tel: (970) 518-3085

Email: jcarrillo@...
Website: www.vehicleheatingsystems.com

Re: Hydro-Hot/Aqua Hot heat while winterized

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 91936
John it was the fresh water inlet and outlet at the top outside and the fresh water inlet inside. All of these were like washing machine connections, ie hand tight fittings. I could only attribute their failure to running the heating without any water in the fresh water circuit. It was an easy fix so I will see what happens this winter! Roger said it could not be the lack of water too for what its worth. The difficulty is that I am in the UK so fixing US plumbing is not always easy.

Michael

2008 Allure 31683