You could try asking the opinions of Roger Berke and the guys at
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/HydronicRVHeating/messages
-Joel
Jim posted a request for advice there. It appears he got some good news. For reference and future use, I cut and pasted for anyone that wants to read about it. I think to be legal, I should note that the hydronic heating forum I cut from, is owned by Roger Berke, and he has a mobile business maintaining Hydro Hots and selling parts.
The post and answers:
Posted by: "jim.gill44" jtgillsteamboat@msn.com jim.gill44
Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:27 pm (PDT)
I own a 2006 Beaver Monterey equipped with a Hydro-Hot system...sorry but the model and serial number are in the coach which is currently
parked in Arizona 800 miles away.
I have been leaking boiler coolant from this system at an increasing rate for the past year. I've looked but have not been able to find any
outside or inside signs of a leak but I know it's going somewhere. I had a local Aqua-Hot guy in Arizona inspect it and he claims that he found a
leak out of the copper/brass joint for the diesel heat-out circuit on the backside of the Hydro-Hot assembly which is then routed into the
bolier tank. There was some coolant fluid on the basement floor in back of the assembly but it didn't appear to reflect as much coolant as I
have added even in the past few weeks. But he claims that this is the source of the leak and that this joint is not repairable.. .the only
choice he has provided me is to buy a complete new unit from AH for $7,500.00 and wait for 4 weeks to get it!!! The guys at AH claim that
this repair CAN be made with silver solder by somebody who knows what they are doing.
My extended insurance carrier, Good Sam, has already said that if there are any signs of corrosion or rust as the root cause of this leak, my
insurance policy won't cover any of the repair/replacement costs. If the cause of the leak turns out to be a mechanical failure of the joint
itself which wasn't caused by impact, they MAY cover the repairs. I wasn't aware that copper/brass could rust or corrode but Good Sam seems
to believe this can happen and it is one of the exclusions in their policy.
So, a couple of questions;
1. Has anyone had any experience with somebody successfully making the type of required repair described above,,,silver solder on a
copper/brass/ steel joint? If yes, what has been the success rate?
2. If this joint can't be repaired, can anybody think of any other options to a complete system replacement?
Thanks and regards,
Jim Gill
Re: Hydro-Hot coolant leak
Posted by: "Rudy" trainer4736@yahoo.com trainer4736
Sun Mar 13, 2011 7:20 pm (PDT)
Jim,
I have friend that can perform this repair on copper tube here in the greater Houston Area. He recommends using 15% silver solder vs 5% saying that it flows better.
So perhaps a plumber that solders copper in homes could help you there. A/C installers solder copper tubing also.
Rudy Legett
The guys at AH claim that this repair CAN be made with silver solder by somebody who knows what they are doing.
Re: Hydro-Hot coolant leak
Posted by: "JIM GILL" jtgillsteamboat@msn.com jim.gill44
Sun Mar 13, 2011 8:21 pm (PDT)
Rudy
Thanks for you help with this matter.
I'm heading down the road of finding somebody to make a silver solder repair as the guys at AH recommend. I'll pass on your friends advice regarding 15% vs 5% silver solder to whoever I find to do this work. If I get in a bind, I may drop you a note to get your friends name/phone number. I'd like to get this work done locally but sending the tank to Houston is far better than buying a new system from AH.
Thanks again,
Jim Gill
Re: Hydro-Hot coolant leak
Posted by: "Roger Berke" roger_95826@yahoo.com rogerberke_1999
Sun Mar 13, 2011 8:26 pm (PDT)
John
Without seeing your unit myself, I cannot be sure, however I think your unit can be repaired. The difficulty is being able to properly being
able to access the line to repair it. Your Hydro-Hot may have to be removed from the coach to get proper access to the coolant return line
to the boiler tank. Most of the Beaver coaches have an access panel that can be removed from under the coach to get access to the back of
the Hydro-Hot.
Whomever you choose to do the repair needs to submit a repair for broken solder joint or failed connection and not corrosion or rusting.
It is very unusual to have a failure like yours. I did one repair that was a failure of the threaded brass fitting on the return line on the
back of the Hydro-Hot. Lots and lots of Teflon tape, and lots of pipe dope and the fitting has not leaked so far.
- Roger Berke -