Spending money - on the ProHeat this time

[TomC]

Whether it be Aqua Hot, Webasto, Proheat or any other hydronic heating system, I seem to hear nothing but complicating problems with the system.  It sounds good on paper, but comparing to the amount of maintenance I've put into my el cheapo propane powered items (read zero) compared to hearing about faulty igniters, water pumps, fuel pumps, screens, blown heat exchangers and on and on-I'll stick to my Atwood propane furnace, electric water heaters, electric block heater.  Good Luck, TomC

[DrivingMissLazy]

Whether it be Aqua Hot, Webasto, Proheat or any other hydronic heating system, I seem to hear nothing but complicating problems with the system.  It sounds good on paper, but comparing to the amount of maintenance I've put into my el cheapo propane powered items (read zero) compared to hearing about faulty igniters, water pumps, fuel pumps, screens, blown heat exchangers and on and on-I'll stick to my Atwood propane furnace, electric water heaters, electric block heater.  Good Luck, TomC

Well my experience is the opposite. I used a Webasto for 15 years and never had any problems with it except for one time and that was my fault. I was doing some welding on the frame and forgot ti disconnect the DC power from it.

Richard

[TomC]

Richard- I'm sure there are others like you that are satisfied with the hydronic systems.  My point is that you just seem to hear more problems with the Diesel fired equipment than the propane stuff.  Good Luck, TomC

[Dreamscape]

It's all about choice and what works for you.

I have a ProHeat 45, not yet installed. I am looking forward to putting it to good use someday.

What works for one may not work for the other guy.

Happy Trails,

Paul

Dreamscape

[bobofthenorth]

I don't know Tom.  I let your comment go by earlier but on reflection I'm not sure you are right.  I can remember leaning plywood up against the side of a fifth wheel while we were parked in Pacifica to keep the furnace from blowing out. And I can remember cold nights with a propane furnace.  One thing is for sure, the hydronic system takes less electrical power to distribute the heat through the unit. 

I think its the old expression - if its got ---s or tires its gonna give trouble.  You'll have to fill in the blanks.

It sure is nice to have a warm bus again.   

[buswarrior]

Perhaps the trouble is with the the condition of the hydronic heater when the busnut gets it?

These things are fairly complex devices, expensive new, we often pick up used ones, replacement parts are expensive, and busnuts are notoriously spendthrift...

No matter which part of the conversion, the coach included, used components put into service without the appropriate rejuvination have their reliability problems.

In the case of the hydronic heaters, the body of troubleshooting knowledge on them is not as widely held as for RV propane appliances, hence, lots of admissions and questions?

when they work right, they are lovely.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[bobofthenorth]

Used components may be a problem in some installations but this one was new when the bus was converted and really hasn't got that many miles on it.  Bob Belter nailed it I think - that electric fuel pump was crap and probably had not been working or at least not working up to spec for several years.