I love my Aqua-Hot. Why?
It runs on 110V when I have shore power or when I am running my generator - automatically.
It runs on Diesel of which I have up to 140 gallons of on-board. That will last a LONG time.
It heats my engine to help it start on cold days. Warmer engines are better running engines and it creates less stress on the engine as warm oil circulates better, especially with 40WT oil.
It heats my hot water so I have endless showers.
It heats my bus 24/7 as long as there is fuel in the tank or I have 110V available.
I can always count on Lloyd Degerald of http://lloyddegerald.com/ to do an annual tune-up every January while in am in Quartzsite. He keeps it running clean.
Does anyone besides me like their Aqua-Hot? I have seen nothing else come close to it. :D
Gary
Seems like converters are leaning more towards the Oasis now days ,quieter, less smoke and less maintenance owners are telling me.I had both and cannot see much difference in the 2 on older models
luvrbus, shush!!
You're screwing up the infomercial!
happy coaching!
buswarrior
I don't have an Aqua Hot, as they take up too much room and cost too much, however I have a Webasto that is set up to do everything an Aqua Hot does, except for endless showers. But it does provide 10 gallons of hot water, which is plenty for a bus conversion.
And I learned how to work on them so mine runs fine. However, mine is 12 volt so with only 4 golf cart batteries it won't run all night unless plugged in.
And I love it!
We converted ( with a lot of help ) an MCI-9 between years 1999 - 2000.
We'll be going down to south Texas this winter.
Last winter we went to NM, AZ, for 4 months.
I have the yearly maintenance done every 3 years or so.
Love it and so glad we have it.
I don't understand complaining so much about a device that does so much.
Oh well.
Frank
Two conversions and two Webasto boilers.
First conversion ran on the batteries for 6 days during a cold January in Maine. Found the bus unplugged when I reached for the power in the snow, plowblades and power cords are not compatible, and found it was not plugged in. Webasto was running without smoke. I heard the blower speed change when the plug was inserted.
Second conversion again a Webasto. Had to change two blower motors, probably 5 nozzles and two control boxes in 12 years.
A professional converter asked me "Why are you thinking of the Auquahot system? Just buy the boiler and build your own. I buy Auquahot because its a complete system ready for install. Saves about three days of work."
Bill
Quote from: buswarrior on November 29, 2018, 07:08:33 AM
luvrbus, shush!!
You're screwing up the infomercial!
happy coaching!
buswarrior
;D ;D ;D
I am in Prescott Valley, AZ visiting Phil Lyons this week. Phil Lyons said to come to Arizona. "It is always nice here". Lesson learned, never listen to Phil Lyons. ;) -4 degrees outside this morning. No running water in the bus. 3rd day in a row! ::) Fortunately inside of the bus is very cozy. Thank you Aqua-Hot and Lloyd DeGerald for tuning it up each January in Quartzsite.
77+ degrees in the bus and 40+ in the water bay.
Gary
We had 54° at 6am here this morning in central Pa. Sucks to be in Arizona this year. It's Cliffords fault.⛄,
Happy new year anyway!🎉
Quote from: chessie4905 on January 01, 2019, 11:41:06 AM
We had 54° at 6am here this morning in central Pa. Sucks to be in Arizona this year. It's Cliffords fault.⛄,
Happy new year anyway!🎉
You are so lucky to live up north where it is warm. ;D HNY to you too.
Gary
For me, the jury's still out. . .
The AquaHot's heat exchangers in the living areas and the bay heaters are working fine.
As is the engine pre-heat loop.
We just can't get enough hot water to wash the dishes, let alone take a shower, from the domestic hot water circuit.
Hard to order parts during the holidays, but since they're now over, parts houses should be back to work and things hopefully will get better. Have been spending time checking out the thermostats, relays, etc. for make and model, should I find one that's failed.
Have also found and downloaded the operator's manual, the installation manual, and the service manual for my model unit - wouldn't you know it, in the service manual the temperature thermostats shown don't match the ones installed in my AH. Next step is to check out other model service manuals to see if I can find one with matching thermostats.
If I can't figure it out by Quartzsite, then I may have another chat with Lloyd. . .
But if he tells me I need a rebuilt domestic hot water heat exchanger for $6,900, :o then we're going to Lowe's and picking up a 120vac 20g undercounter hot water heater for $359!
The joys of our toys. . .
:-\
Water heaters can be run in series, so a small under-counter unit, either propane or electric (or both) may be just the thing.
Prof
Quote from: RJ on January 01, 2019, 06:35:43 PM
For me, the jury's still out. . .
The AquaHot's heat exchangers in the living areas and the bay heaters are working fine.
As is the engine pre-heat loop.
We just can't get enough hot water to wash the dishes, let alone take a shower, from the domestic hot water circuit.
Hard to order parts during the holidays, but since they're now over, parts houses should be back to work and things hopefully will get better. Have been spending time checking out the thermostats, relays, etc. for make and model, should I find one that's failed.
Have also found and downloaded the operator's manual, the installation manual, and the service manual for my model unit - wouldn't you know it, in the service manual the temperature thermostats shown don't match the ones installed in my AH. Next step is to check out other model service manuals to see if I can find one with matching thermostats.
If I can't figure it out by Quartzsite, then I may have another chat with Lloyd. . .
But if he tells me I need a rebuilt domestic hot water heat exchanger for $6,900, :o then we're going to Lowe's and picking up a 120vac 20g undercounter hot water heater for $359!
The joys of our toys. . .
:-\
I am sure Lloyd will refund your purchase Russ, no problem there. Sounds like a bad upper-level thermostat to me. But they either work or don't work. I am sure Lloyd can figure it out while at Quartzsite. He will be servicing my unit there too.
Like any mechanic, he can only diagnose so much over the phone. He also sells Aqua-Hot parts at Aqua-Hot prices as he has to stand behind his work and they stand behind their parts. This is especially important since he travels around a lot. If he has to hire someone to repair something he worked on after he and the customer separate, that costs him a lot of money so he doesn't take chances.
I talked to LLoyd yesterday about something else and he said he tried calling you but has not heard back. Maybe call him to meet with him when you first get to Quartzsite so there will be time to fix your problem in the beginning so you will have a few days to ensure it works before he and you leave the area.
Gary
My fuel gauge does not work on my Eagle and I have been sitting in Prescott Valley, AZ at Phil Lyons house with sub-freezing temps for over a week. I fueled up about 2 hours before arriving. I am concerned about how low my fuel tank is because of my Aqua-Hot running in this frigid environment. :o
I called Lloyd and he said it burns about a half gallon of diesel of burn time. So that would be about 12 gallons per day running full out. So if we estimate 10 gallons per day that should be on the high side as these probably never run full time. So that is 70 gallons of fuel per week.
Good info to put in your quiver if you are in the same situation as I am with no fuel gauge. I use my GPS as my fuel gauge which works fine when driving, but of course, does not take into account the fuel used by my Wrico generator or my Aqua-Hot unit.
|Gary
Take some 5 gallon cans to the fuel station. Pita, but it works.
Gary
Can't you just dip your tank with something flexible?
cry babies no one ever told you Aqua Hot and diesel fired systems are cheap to run, suck it up there are no free lunches ;D ;D ;D lol for 2 bucks a day my propane furnace and water heater is doing the job in Vegas at 28 degrees.fridge and generator is propane too I am starting to like the economics of propane
Quote from: Geoff on January 02, 2019, 05:38:19 PM
Gary
Can't you just dip your tank with something flexible?
Goeff. My tank is in the middle of my Eagle. The gashole is not straight down. With some luck, I may be able to drop a nut on a string down into the tank as some people do, but generally I can keep track of mileage and tell how much fuel I have left. But I may try that tomorrow to see if it works.
Gary
Put an hour meter on the burner circuit.
Published rate of fuel consumption x hour reading = close enough for busnut calculations
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Quote from: luvrbus on January 02, 2019, 07:02:45 PM
cry babies no one ever told you Aqua Hot and diesel fired systems are cheap to run, suck it up there are no free lunches ;D ;D ;D lol for 2 bucks a day my propane furnace and water heater is doing the job in Vegas at 28 degrees.fridge and generator is propane too I am starting to like the economics of propane
Propane makes nice heat but I was not particularly fond of hauling my tanks to propane filling stations every week when I was fulltiming in my MCI. I will take my diesel burner thank you. :-)
Both propane and oil companies will make local deliveries. Their minimums are typically less than 100 gallons, sometimes considerably less.
Professor
Quote from: Jim Blackwood on January 03, 2019, 07:23:43 AM
Both propane and oil companies will make local deliveries. Their minimums are typically less than 100 gallons, sometimes considerably less.
Professor
Where I lived in Anaheim three years ago, the local propane company made local deliveries but they discontinued this when one of their lead drivers retired. Not every city/town has this option so you are left to pull your propane tanks out of your bus if you have removable tanks or if unlucky, pack up all of your stuff and drive to your local propane filling station.
Quote from: luvrbus on January 02, 2019, 07:02:45 PM
cry babies no one ever told you Aqua Hot and diesel fired systems are cheap to run, suck it up there are no free lunches ;D ;D ;D lol for 2 bucks a day my propane furnace and water heater is doing the job in Vegas at 28 degrees.fridge and generator is propane too I am starting to like the economics of propane
Thanks a lot for this, Clifford. It's really helpful. I'm sure Gary and I can solve our AH problems based on this condescending information you've just shared.
Quote from: RJ on January 03, 2019, 09:48:04 AM
Thanks a lot for this, Clifford. It's really helpful. I'm sure Gary and I can solve our AH problems based on this condescending information you've just shared.
LOL I owned A/H and Webasto for years they ARE great when they work, then you pay to keep it working though.Loyd and Rich do ok maintaining those systems 8) 8) 8) 8).The older they get the more it cost to keep one going just a fact of life $250.00 for any part on 1 sounds cheap
Quote from: luvrbus on January 02, 2019, 07:02:45 PM
cry babies no one ever told you Aqua Hot and diesel fired systems are cheap to run, suck it up there are no free lunches ;D ;D ;D lol for 2 bucks a day my propane furnace and water heater is doing the job in Vegas at 28 degrees.fridge and generator is propane too I am starting to like the economics of propane
I wouldn't trade my webasto for anything. It's nice getting out of bed in the morning and not having the floor feel like an ice skating rink when you put your feet down. I also have propane heat, as well as heat pumps, and the webasto gets a lot more use. Even when we are plugged in.
Quote from: thomasinnv on January 03, 2019, 05:18:34 PM
I wouldn't trade my webasto for anything. It's nice getting out of bed in the morning and not having the floor feel like an ice skating rink when you put your feet down. I also have propane heat, as well as heat pumps, and the webasto gets a lot more use. Even when we are plugged in.
Are we talking Aqua/Hot or just the Webasto ?,MCI has stopped offering the Webasto none of Arrow Stage Lines have Webasto's only the Pro/Heat lol I have a pallet full of Webasto they gave me
No aqua hot just webasto. I built my own system using the webasto that came with the bus. I like the kiss method.