USING AQUA HOT WHILE DRIVING?

[LEAH DRAPER]

QUESTION........

Is it okay to use the aqua hot furnace while driving when the weather is really cold??
It is for sure that the heat from the engine sure won't keep you warm.

[Jay and Raylene Todd]

Your Aqua Hot fluid should be heated by the engine coolant while the engine is running. No need to have the electric or diesel turned on for the Aqua Hot - it will already be up to temperature. Just turn on the coach furnace and set the temp that you want. We do it all the time.

[Gil_Johnson]

Jay great information.  I should have known that based on the fact we always have hot water aftervdriving.  I could have saved some fuel last year when driving down when itwasreally cold.

[Dave Porter]

I'm going to make an assumption that you all have the option that allows the Aqua Hot to preheat the engine block.  My coach doesn't have that option so I think we are back to the original question. Can you operate the AH while driving the coach?

Thanks guys!

[Marty and Suzie Schenck]

Yes you can. Our 2002 Thunder has a Hydro-Hot with no engine pre-heat. We use it all the time going down the road to heat the coach with the diesel burner and the electric element turned off. Just turn the furnace control to on and set the temp. Once the Aqua/Hydro Hot reaches the correct internal temp the heat register fans will come on and heat the coach nice and toasty. Marty

[Richard And Babs Ames]

Our 1997 Patriot Aqua Hot does not have the engine preheat, but coolant from the engine does circulate through the Aqua Hot, and heat the coolant. I was told to get engine preheat only requires the addition of a pump.

[Harvey Ziegler]

We have used the diesel burner on the Hydro Hot while traveling and will continue to use it. With outside temperatures lower than 2 below, I don't think that there is enough heat transfer from the engine coolant coil in the Hydro Hot.  Do not have engine preheat, but there is still a 3/4" line from the engine to the Hydro Hot and back. Hope to be heading south in a couple of weeks, and that we do not have any super cold weather.

 

[Jay and Raylene Todd]

Harvey,
You might give a try not turning on the diesel burner next time - it could save you some fuel. Check your engine coolant temp in your Alladin, I suspect that you will fine it is above 140 which would be more than enough to heat your Hydro Hot fluid and keep the coach plenty warm. If I'm wrong you can turn on the diesel burner and let us all know.

[Harvey Ziegler]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will try to remember to turn off the deisel burner as we head out and see how it heats the coach. Engine temp is usually about 178 unless pulling a grade at which point it may climb to about 181.
 

[LEAH DRAPER]

After all the great responses to this question, I am going to "assume" or maybe presume is better that using the AH with engine heating that you must/should also have the inverter turned ON.  I used mine today as you all suggested and it worked great.  BUT I also turned on the inverter thinking that I should.  

Comments ??

[Edward Buker]

The Aqua Hot will run on 12V just fine. You do not need the inverter. The only 120V used by the unit is for the electric water heating element that is not wired to the inverter output and could not be run by it anyway.

Later Ed

[LEAH DRAPER]

Thanks Ed, appreciate your response.