I hate my AquaHot

[gumpy]

<rant on>

I've decide I really hate my AquaHot unit. I really like the radiant heat I have in the bus, but I'm so sick of dealing with this POS AquaHot that right now I could rip it out and send it to the scrap yard. Seems like all it does is leak fuel all over the inside of it which saturates the bat insulation they wisely built into the insides, whcih are riveted together so you can't easily get at it to clean it or replace it. Then, it up everything in the bus. I had to modify the case last year because the fuel was running into the bay instead of outside. I've replaced the o-ring in the pump multiple times. Replaced it again last spring. Again, today, I find fuel all over the bottom of the unit!

I'm thinking this whole Webasto thing is a really poorly designed burner. If I had to do it all over again, I would never spend the money or time installing a Webasto based heater system.

<rant off>

[Jcparmley]

Thanks Gumpy

I have been debating if I should go this route and I believe I don't want the headache.  It seems so complicated.  Thanks for being honest on this system.

<rant on>

I've decide I really hate my AquaHot unit. I really like the radiant heat I have in the bus, but I'm so sick of dealing with this POS AquaHot that right now I could rip it out and send it to the scrap yard. Seems like all it does is leak fuel all over the inside of it which saturates the bat insulation they wisely built into the insides, whcih are riveted together so you can't easily get at it to clean it or replace it. Then, it up everything in the bus. I had to modify the case last year because the fuel was running into the bay instead of outside. I've replaced the o-ring in the pump multiple times. Replaced it again last spring. Again, today, I find fuel all over the bottom of the unit!

I'm thinking this whole Webasto thing is a really poorly designed burner. If I had to do it all over again, I would never spend the money or time installing a Webasto based heater system.

<rant off>

[Geoff]

Well, Craig, you are a do-it-yourselfer.  The problem is you bought an Aqua-Hot instead of buying a Webasto and building your own system.  Now you are stuck in the confines of a packaged system instead of one you built and spread apart so you can get to everything independently.

I've had my Webasto problems myself, but having it sit independent has made repairs much easier.  And I've had fuel leaks but that is behind me, and mine is working great.

--Geoff

[Geoff]

I forgot to mention that the raw fuel problem I had ended up being a bad flame sensor.  Since then I bought a Factory test unit, which I should have done from the beginning.

[gumpy]

Well, Craig, you are a do-it-yourselfer.  The problem is you bought an Aqua-Hot instead of buying a Webasto and building your own system.  Now you are stuck in the confines of a packaged system instead of one you built and spread apart so you can get to everything independently.

I've had my Webasto problems myself, but having it sit independent has made repairs much easier.  And I've had fuel leaks but that is behind me, and mine is working great.

--Geoff

Well, yes and no.  I did buy an Aquahot, but I re-engineered it because it was a B model unit, so I pretty much did build it myself, other than the burner and tank assembly.

The main problem regarding leaking fuel is a Webasto problem, not an Aquahot problem. Their dang burner leaks full from multiple locations, the main one being the fuel pump and from what I have found, you can't buy the o-ring. They want to sell you a whole new fuel pump, instead. I've also had problems with the solder points on the control board.

It's not too difficult to get the Webasto head out to work on it, but some of the wiring is integrated into the Aquahot enclosure, which makes it more difficult. Definitely not as convenient as an independent installation could be.

Aquahot did do a rather poor design on their fabrication with respect to draining of any leaking fuel or preventing it and/or antifreeze from getting into the insulation. I've had to pull this thing apart twice now to repair broken coils, which were my own fault, but that actually was not as bad as I expected it to be. Yes, it would have been easier if the components were separate.

I did a Webasto install for a friend in Alaska with separate components which he had purchased from Dick Wright. I don't know if it would be any easier to work on because we put it in the old OTR heater compartment.

[luvrbus]

 I read where MCI no longer offers the Webasto unit in their buses because of such problems,for 10k seems like AquaHot would have their act together   

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

I have an Aqua-Hot unit in my Eagle and it sometimes does cause problems.  The key to happiness is to use it on a regular basis, at least run it on the diesel mode at least once month and have it serviced at least once per year.  Lloyd DeGerald services mine in Quartzsite every January.  Lloyd travels around the country to several RV shows and services these units.  He also can supply you with parts and provides great phone service.  Try to set up an appointment with Lloyd if you are heading to Quartzsite this January and if you will not be there, check his schedule and try to get to a location where he will be by viewing his schedule. Check out his website for more info.  http://lloyddegerald.com/ 

[TomC]

This is why I have an Atwood 40,000btu forced air propane furnace, 2-10gal electric water heaters, and electric block heater. In 24 years, I've only had to replace the propane furnace once-that's all!. Good Luck, TomC

[richard5933]

This is why I have an Atwood 40,000btu forced air propane furnace, 2-10gal electric water heaters, and electric block heater. In 24 years, I've only had to replace the propane furnace once-that's all!. Good Luck, TomC

I've had both setups now... electric with the LP furnace and the Webasto system. I agree that the electric/LP generally is nice to use, except for times when you're not on shore power. Then it's necessary to run the generator to either warm the engine or make hot water, and after a while neither of us wants to hear the generator any more.

The great thing about the Webasto was being able to quietly heat the bus, the hot water, and have the engine warmed and ready to start first thing in the morning. Ours was problematic at first, but after Lloyd gave it a once over things ran smooth and leak free.

[luvrbus]

Heating comes at a price regardless of the system,3 things I don't like about diesel fired heat,the noise,smell and the exhaust temperature the 500+ degree exhaust will cook everything close.Certain times of year here in some of the National and State parks your forbidden to run one and cold showers suck big time.They give problems to many people service the units at the FMCA rallies for one to be without fault. Rich makes a good living from servicing the units I don't know Lloyd, lol I never been around one that I would call quite though     

[richard5933]

What about the LP powered Webasto units?

[luvrbus]

Never saw or knew they ever made a propane Webasto unit,AquaHot and Oasis make a propane unit but it is no Webasto or ProHeat based.I had a Primus system with double propane boilers now it was quite and trouble free for the 15 years I owned it   

[buswarrior]

These boiler units all require regular preventive maintenance and correct diagnosis.

There are no short cuts. Substitute parts vs OEM are frequently sad stories of repeat trouble.

Not the unit for many busnuts, they take ca$h to keep giving you the goodne$$...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[Jim Blackwood]

So,... I find this a little confusing. A propane webasto.... what is different there from a propane water heater?

Jim

[luvrbus]

So,... I find this a little confusing. A propane webasto.... what is different there from a propane water heater?

Jim

There is no propane Webasto I know of, and the boondockers add a couple of pumps and heat ex changers and use their water heaters as boilers for a heating system works too I seen a couple in Quartzsite