Hydrohot help

[Robert Mathis]

My hydrohot has quit today. It has been working just fine until this morning when we had no hot water on Electric. The low voltage light was on, and I reset it accorfing to the book. I thought that fixed it, but tonight, no hot water again. I tried my diesel burner which lit, but then went out soon after, and now won't light again. The blower runs and fuel is flowing, but no igntion. I just serviced it before we left and it was burning clean and hot. We are in Dubois Wyoming, on the way to Alaska. Anyone have any thoughts or do any of you know of a repair facility in this area?

[Bill Sprague]

There are a few things I would start with.  

1.  There is a HydroHot shop manual in the Coach Assist section at the BAC Website.  It has a trouble shooting section.  I downloaded that one from the AquaHot website.  I think you can get one to match your model there.

The AquaHot website is http://www.aquahot.com/Default.aspx for more manual.  There is also a service locater.

2.  I would call Orman Claxton.  He is a club member, his number is in the club directory and he is a factory trained AquaHot Tech.  He encourages club members to phone for help.

3.  There is a dedicated website, http://www.rvhydronicheaterrepair.com/ with forum, etc.  Others have had your problem and solved it there.  Rodger Burke runs it and looks to be a competitor to our friend Orman.

I've made a couple small changes to our Beaver so that I can keep warm with some small Wal-Mart space heaters.  I would have to plug in to shore power or run the Onan, but I would stay warm.  Hot water is less convenient.   But, I could heat enough on the stove to sponge bath and do dishes.  I would not cancel a trip to Alaska over a cranky AquaHot!

Good luck!  It may be as simple as low coolant or a low coolant sensor (which is easy to jumper).

[Robert Mathis]

Bill, we almost never use the diesel burner, since we live in the South and the electric has always been enough for domestic hot water. I'm going to try to trouble shoot the diesel side tomorrow morning, and I left a message for Orman to call me when he has a chance.

[Bill Sprague]

Most agree it is a good idea to use the diesel frequently.  It is one of those systems that suffers from lack of use, like the Onan.  

For the electric side, there is some simple voltmeter trouble shooting.  I learned when my element burned out.  You use a voltmeter to check for juice to the element.  If there, you use the meter to check for resistance across the element.  If none, it is burned out.  You can get the part and a socket to unscrew it at a home center.  When I did it, the hardest part was draining enough coolant so that I could pull out the old element.

The other common failure is the "high temp limit" switch.  It is an easy screw out and screw in job.  I made a six minute video of that process and you can watch it here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDuFzG4Kye4

The third component is the relay that turns the element on or off.  When I replaced the element, it was suggested I upgrade the relay, so I did.  

[Robert Mathis]

It turned out that my nozzle was bad. The overheat 12 volt dc relay had tripped, but when I reset that, it burned, but smoked badly. I couldn't get an appointment to get it fixed until July 17, in Anchorage, so I took a chance and bought a new nozzle and replaced it. Works like a charm now, and we are sure glad, since it is 49 degrees here in Homer. I had just replaced that nozzle before we left home, but I guess it was defective. Thanks for the advice, and thanks to Ormandy for calling me and giving me tips.

[Joel Ashley]

I'd notify the place that sold you the nozzle and ask for a refund.  Are the Sockeye running good this year?  2003 was a real good year fishin' the Kenai, and I picked up a 127 lb slabside at Ninilchik too.  Wish we were there again.

Enjoy!
Joel

[Robert Mathis]

The first run of sockeyes was just over when we got here, but the second run is supposed to start about the 15th. We will be on the Kenai until the 27th of July so should catch part of it. We have been out on two 1/2 day halibut trips so far and have about 1/2 of our freezer full of filets. We actually bought a 5 cubic foot chest freezer to put in the coach for this trip. I hope to fill it before our daughter flies home on the 20th, so we can send a box of fish home with her and refill.

[George H. Wall]

Joel, The 1st run of sockeyes(Russian River Run) was HUGE, limit went to 6 fish early on, and the 2nd run is expected to be the same. We were there in 02,04,06, and 08 and also filled a 5 cubic ft freezer early on with vaccum packed filets. We have a friend there now, wish we were!!!  Henry

[Joel Ashley]

Me too!!  Normally I'd be ashamed of hijacking Robert's thread.  But his issue being resolved, all I can think of is my hours on the clear-running Russian River near its mouth, watching school after school of sockeye and the occasional giant King (Chinook) swim upstream around and between my legs.  Unlike in the milky Kenai yards downstream, in the Russian I could sight-fish my fly in front of the fish.

Only thing was having to keep one eye ashore for the Mama Grizzly that shredded a guy at the ferry landing the night before  ??) .

Also discovered how hard it is to land the occasional 30+ lb. King on 10 lb. line and a $40 "Soldotna Special" spinning Sockeye outfit.  Twice.  But, damn it was fun trying!

Joel