Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Plumbing Bay Freeze Protection (Read 1744 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Plumbing Bay Freeze Protection

Yahoo Message Number: 116309
Just looking for some education on heat source for heating the plumbing bay. After reading some past post on this topic but never having had a need to be concerned about freezing in our 2007 Inspire 360, I finally peeked behind the plumbing bay panel and confirmed there is a finned heat exchanger there in what I assume (tough to get a real good look behind this panel) is the hot water line from the Aqua-Hot. Could not locate any type of thermostat control or references to it as a separate zone. So does it simply heat the plumbing bay when zone 2furnace (bath and bedroom) is working and at the thermostat setting for zone 2? Should I possibly see a dedicated zone light on the Aqua-Hot control panel that would indicate it is heating the bay?

Wayne Gabel
Inspire 360, #52038

Re: Plumbing Bay Freeze Protection

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116313
Wayne,

My thermostat is in the far upper left hand corner of the plumbing bay. Remove the small panel and it should be behind there. The bay heater works separately of the other zones and has a separate light on the AquaHot panel but I can't remember which one. Sorry.

The only requirement for it to work is to have the AquaHot working on either diesel or electric. The inside thermostat can be turned off. Also believe it will work with the house power turned off.

There is another heater in one of the large slide-through basement bays. I believe the front one but again not sure which one. Haven't seen a thermostat for this one so I assume it works off the plumbing bay thermostat.

Barney
07 Inspire 52059

Re: Plumbing Bay Freeze Protection

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116315
Do you have schematics for your coach might be able to gleem some info there.
I have an older coach but I seem to remember one for mine. I believe they work only when that system is on (aquahot). My system has thermostat in the bays that require heat.

Sincerely

Alex Ritchey 2000 CC Affinity B&B 5733

Re: Plumbing Bay Freeze Protection

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116318
I have reviewed the schematics of the coach Hydro Hot plumbing and the best I could determine was the presence of the heat exchangers. The post from Barney for his Inspire was very encouraging so I'll check out his info as soon as I get a chance, then report back. I was surprised to here there might be another heat exchanger in one of the slide-through bays (never noticed one) but the schematic does show two in the Zone 2 circuit.

Wayne

Re: Plumbing Bay Freeze Protection

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116320
Mine is simply HydroHot hydronic boiler fluid flowing thru finned tube in wet bay controlled by a thermostat knob in upper right corner of wet bay. Very simple, works great.

Greg
06 Magna

2006 Magna Rembrandt C13
2016 Jeep GC toad

Re: Plumbing Bay Freeze Protection

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116333
Zone 2 is usually the bathroom and bay exchangers.

Mikee

Re: Plumbing Bay Freeze Protection

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116336
I have located the thermostat control in the upper left corner of the plumbing bay, behind the main control panel. Now I'll just wait to see if a Zone light on the Aqua Hot control panel, other than Zones 1 or 2, comes on only when the bay register may be calling for heat, full time, or if 1 and 2 are the only lights lit. To warm to expect bay heating for now. Thanks to every one for your input. This has been an education.

Wayne
2007 Inspire 360 #52038

Re: Plumbing Bay Freeze Protection

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116337
Wayne,

Disconnect the 2 wire connector to the thermostat and place a jumper across the wires. The light you are looking for will come on regardless of the temperate. If the AquaHot is working the bay will begin to heat.

Barney
07 Inspire 52059

Re: Plumbing Bay Freeze Protection

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116615
I just replaced the old White Rodgers Thermostat in our plumbing bay. You can check to see if the thermostat is working by unplugging and checking resistance as you rotate the temperature control. The W/R Thermostats that came with the coach are now obsolete and finding a replacement is difficult. I found mine on eBay for $80.00.

Jim and Jona Seifert

2007 Country Coach Intrigue Ovation 530 42'
Coach #12150
525 Cat C13 Allison 6spd
Toads: 2014 Ford F150 / 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser w/ REMCO DS Disconnect.
Airforce 1 Brake system
Blue Ox Aventa II Towbar
Jim and Jona Seifert
2007 Intrigue 530

Re: Plumbing Bay Freeze Protection

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116620


I purchased a wireless thermometer with two remotes and an alarm. Put one remote near the pump and one in the bay area. I have a remote controlled 75W bulb near the pump than I can turn on from a control I keep in the bathroom near the digital read out/alarm. Cost of the thermometer was around $15 plus batteries. It works good for me.
DougC
'94 Magna 5071

Re: Plumbing Bay Freeze Protection

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116623
The hurricane wet bay passive heat exchangers are good maybe into the 20's. Colder than that they are not effective since they do not move air. Even a 200 watt fan-driven electric heater is more effective. We're someone to put even a small fan-driven heat exchanger or two down there you could make it most likely to 20 or 30 below zero.

Rich 2002 Magna

Re: Plumbing Bay Freeze Protection

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116624
I was in low 20's last winter in Houston a couple of days, was fine with the HydroHot passive heat exchanger. I have a wireless thermometer in the wet bay and it showed 35F. You could always go old school and put an incandescent trouble light in there to assist.

Greg
06 Magna

2006 Magna Rembrandt C13
2016 Jeep GC toad

Re: Plumbing Bay Freeze Protection

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116629
So far we are in the mid to hi teens here at night and 50+ during the day. My hydro hot is only working on elect and so far the coldest the bays have got is 48*. That's based on the info panel display.
2004 Magna 42' 3 slide Chalet CC#6315M
C-15, 515HP 1650tq.

Re: Plumbing Bay Freeze Protection

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116642
As I said, the passive hydronic heaters are good to around constant temps in the 20s a but I've been in 15 below zero and they will not prevent things from freezing. I add 200 watt personal electric heaters. The way to go would be to replace the ones we have with small fan driven hydronic heaters down there.

Rich 2002 Magna

Re: Plumbing Bay Freeze Protection

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116643
We have been down to-17 years ago....hoping that doesn't happen.
I'll get a couple of stand alone heaters just in case.

Thanks
2004 Magna 42' 3 slide Chalet CC#6315M
C-15, 515HP 1650tq.