I Love my Aqua-Hot

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

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.

Gary

[luvrbus]

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   

[buswarrior]

luvrbus, shush!!

You're screwing up the infomercial!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Geoff]

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!

[Frank @ TX]

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

[Bill B /bus]

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

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

luvrbus, shush!!

You're screwing up the infomercial!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

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

[chessie4905]

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!🎉

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

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.    HNY to you too.

Gary

[RJ]

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,    then we're going to Lowe's and picking up a 120vac 20g undercounter hot water heater for $359!

The joys of our toys. . .

[Jim Blackwood]

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

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

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,    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

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

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.   

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

[chessie4905]

Take some 5 gallon cans to the fuel station. Pita, but it works.