Newcsn Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 We’ve never driven the coach long distance in the winter/freezing temps. The coach is winterized & we won’t be de-winterizing until we get to a location where temps are consistently above freezing. Obviously, our heat pumps will not function in these kind of temps & we’ll want to utilize our Aqua Hot for heat in the coach. Are there any issues with using the Aqua Hot for heat while the domestic water coil is winterized with RV antifreeze? Also, we’ll be boondocking a couple evenings on our journey to warmer confines, will we need to run the generator at night or will the house batteries keep the Aqua Hot heat exchangers/fans running? Any other things we should consider on our first freezing temp journey? Thanks so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
det944 Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 I just did the same thing during the Christmas week deep freeze. Coach was winterized and ran aquahot on 110, diesel and engine loop in our 2006 Dynasty. If I recall correctly, both the AH and Monaco manuals allow this practice. I cannot speak to how long your house batteries will power the AH fans as I believe this would depend on other electrical loads and the Outside Temp...Larger split inside desired to outside actual would cause the AH fans to run longer I believe. FYI the aqua hot worked great to heat the coach, only thing I noticed is that the galley fan is 4 modes, off, low mwd, high. Each speed is toggled by momentarily touching the fan switch. Th only down side, at least on my coach is that the galley fan continues to run even if no heat is being commanded by the thernostat,,,,I.E. cool air from the vents. Maybe yours is different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96 EVO Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 No issues running your AH for coach heating while your water system is winterized! If your house battery pack is in decent shape, no problem running the AH overnight. I've never tried two nights without running the gen for a while to put some more power into the battery bank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newcsn Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 @det944 Thank you for sharing your recent experience! Here’s hoping we’ve seen the last of the temps we saw during the Christmas deep freeze! While driving, was the engine loop sufficient to keep the coach warm or did you have to run the Aqua Hot diesel? When parked, how well did the 110 accommodate the cold - how low could the outside temp get before having to switch to diesel? We truly appreciate your feedback! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
det944 Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 The Engine loop kept the coach at the 68 degrees set on the thermostat with temps in the 20 and 30's while traveling on a very sunny day. I did not use the diesel burner while traveling but did run the dash heat some. I had 50 amps at my campground so activated 110 and diesel on the selection panel in the kitchen, the burner did run to supplement the 110 when needed. Night time temps were around 18 degrees F. We filled our water tank each afternoon and did not stay connected to Camp water to keep water supply from freezing. The aqua hot keeps the basement toasty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96 EVO Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 Do you two have 600 series units with a pair of 2000w elements, or 450's, with a single 1650w electric element? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newcsn Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 @96 EVO We have a 450 w/ a 1650 watt element. @det944 Thanks again - this is great info & very helpful - especially the idea of filling the fresh water tank & not remaining connected overnight to the park water! Thanks so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96 EVO Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 Ok, forget about heating your coach with electric, unless it's about 60deg out. Your going to get about the same amount of heat as you would running your wife's hair blow dryer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
det944 Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 @Newcsn Happy to help, Enjoy the trip! If you get a chance could you see if your galley aquahot fan runs w/o furnace selected. Just curious sincoach for a year. Learning something every day and enjoying the ride. The folks here are great! " since we've only had the coach for a year" sorry, dog jumped on my lap 🙂🙃 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newcsn Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 @96 EVO I may have misspoken. I’ve not pulled the plastic bay cover to actually look at the unit & I can’t find any paperwork from the previous owner. After a bit of research I’m thinking it may be a 600 - we do have a bay heating system. Am I correct that the 400 doesn’t have this feature? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
det944 Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 Not sure of the model AH on my 2006 Dynasty but the Monaco manual states: "AQUA-HOT (Optional) The Aqua-Hot appliance is a water heater and furnace in one. A 50,000 BTU diesel fi red burner and a 1650 Watt AC element work to heat a 50/50 solution of Propylene Glycol antifreeze and water to approximately 200º F. The heated antifreeze solution circulates through heat exchangers located within the motorhome to provide interior heat. Potable water is heated by the Aqua-Hot for domestic use. The Aqua-Hot can also preheat the engine, making it easier to start on cold mornings" Hope this helps the discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newcsn Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 @96 EVO I should have added that it has 3 pumps - the only reason I know this is there was a receipt in the paperwork where the previous owner had “Pump #3 Replaced”. I believe a 600 has 3 pumps & a 450 has 2 pumps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
det944 Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 I believe our 2006 Dynasty's are equipped with Aqua-Hot AHE-100-04S: This model features a single 120 VAC/1650 Watt Electric Heating Element. The AHE-130-04X: This model features two 120 VAC/2000 Watt Electric Heating Elements. In order to determine which of the following Aqua-Hot models has been employed, locate the Marking Plate on the Heating System and view the model number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newcsn Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 @det944 I will definitely provide some feedback on whether our galley fan‘s operation w/o furnace. I’m also gonna pull the bay panel tomorrow & find out exactly which model Aqua Hot we have. You’re so right - this group is amazing & so helpful!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96 EVO Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 22 minutes ago, det944 said: I believe our 2006 Dynasty's are equipped with Aqua-Hot AHE-100-04S: This model features a single 120 VAC/1650 Watt Electric Heating Element. The AHE-130-04X: This model features two 120 VAC/2000 Watt Electric Heating Elements. In order to determine which of the following Aqua-Hot models has been employed, locate the Marking Plate on the Heating System and view the model number. Do you have two electric element switches, or one? Just having the older 100 series, your doing better than the new 450 series, as you have a 15gal boiler tank, as opposed to the 5gal boiler tank the newer 450 series units have. Makes for less cycling of the burner, but, if only one 1650w electric element, doesn't help any on electric power. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
det944 Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 I have only 1 aquahot 110 switch. I believe when I looked at my build sheet it listed the Aqua-Hot AHE-100-04S. It's been a month so may be mistaken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdw12345 Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 (edited) We left Mn on Friday afternoon, 20* outside, ran the generator and aqua hot for about 1.5 hours while loading and hooking up, my coach sits in my heated shop so granted the 50 gallons of water and the entire coach was around 50* when we pulled it out to the house to load, the wet bay stayed around 45-50* all the way to Miami Ok, it was still 20-25* almost all the way to Kansas City. Last night we were in Amarillo and it was 20* the wind was blowing like stink and this morning it was almost 60* in the wet bays. If everything is in working order your basement and plumbing should be fine. My water system was not winterized, no problem at that temp. I didn’t use the AH on diesel or electric running down the road, just set both front and rear thermostats at 70 using engine circulation thru the AH plus the dash heating. I did use the AH at nighttime while sleeping and just plugged in at a park with a 110 cord for lights and inverter/charger to keep battery banks up, sorry I can’t help with the boondocks aspect. We’re in Alamogordo NM tonight, much warmer! We have a 100-04S Safe travels! Edited January 23 by Jdw12345 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96 EVO Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 (edited) 1 hour ago, Newcsn said: @96 EVO I may have misspoken. I’ve not pulled the plastic bay cover to actually look at the unit & I can’t find any paperwork from the previous owner. After a bit of research I’m thinking it may be a 600 - we do have a bay heating system. Am I correct that the 400 doesn’t have this feature? Yeah, a 450 series can still have a wet bay heat exchanger. The Cummins engine, after sever miles driving, will do a better job heating / keeping the boiler fluid hot, than the 1650w electric element will! So, if you have just come off the road, and your coach is nice and toasty, don't expect that electric element to keep things that way 😟! Edited January 23 by 96 EVO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan K Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 Your batteries should be fully charged after a day of driving and keep the AH pumps and fans cycling on diesel overnight. I keep the AGS set, just in case but usually it does not start, we don't go to extreme cold places but even if it did, no problem in a parking lot if thats where you going to overnight. I definitely want to have the diesel burner in working condition with no AC. I also turn the inverter off, if I remember and don't fall asleep with the TV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96 EVO Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Ivan K said: I also turn the inverter off, if I remember and don't fall asleep with the TV. LOL. I do that all the time, but my battery bank will still keep the tv and AH running thru the night. Usually still have enough power in the house bank to brew a pot of coffee. Some are terrified of letting their house batteries go below 12.0v. That's just a number! Run your batteries down as far as you need to. You will just get a few fewer cycles out of them! Edited January 23 by 96 EVO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneC Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 If it is not below freezing we usually close the door to the galley and only heat the bedroom, on suite, I am usually up couple hours before everyone else, at that point I will turn the thermostat on for the galley,can conserve a little energy that way, same with the AC in the heat. Wayne 1999 Signature ceaser 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newcsn Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 @96 EVO You are correct! I verified the model on my 06 Dynasty and it is the AHE-100-04S. It has a single 120 VAC/1650 watt heating element. @Ivan K Newbie question: What is the reason for turning the inverter off? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan K Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 22 minutes ago, Newcsn said: @96 EVO You are correct! I verified the model on my 06 Dynasty and it is the AHE-100-04S. It has a single 120 VAC/1650 watt heating element. @Ivan K Newbie question: What is the reason for turning the inverter off? Thanks! Our inverter consumes about 4 Amps of battery power running pretty much idle, with the TVs, dish and such in standby mode. Not always necessary but it can add up with the heater fans, burner and pumps cycling through the night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktloah Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 (edited) Your basement heater may be the reason your fans run without the aquahot. Check to be sure your thermostats are off Edited January 23 by ktloah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newcsn Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 19 hours ago, Jdw12345 said: We left Mn on Friday afternoon, 20* outside, ran the generator and aqua hot for about 1.5 hours while loading and hooking up, my coach sits in my heated shop so granted the 50 gallons of water and the entire coach was around 50* when we pulled it out to the house to load, the wet bay stayed around 45-50* all the way to Miami Ok, it was still 20-25* almost all the way to Kansas City. Last night we were in Amarillo and it was 20* the wind was blowing like stink and this morning it was almost 60* in the wet bays. If everything is in working order your basement and plumbing should be fine. My water system was not winterized, no problem at that temp. I didn’t use the AH on diesel or electric running down the road, just set both front and rear thermostats at 70 using engine circulation thru the AH plus the dash heating. I did use the AH at nighttime while sleeping and just plugged in at a park with a 110 cord for lights and inverter/charger to keep battery banks up, sorry I can’t help with the boondocks aspect. We’re in Alamogordo NM tonight, much warmer! We have a 100-04S Safe travels! @Jdw12345 Excellent feedback - thanks! Looks like we’re supposed to be around 10-15 here in Indy the day we load & head south! Looks like we’ll have a great opportunity to put the Aqua Hot through its paces!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now