Truma AquaGo now Standard!

[Phil57]

I have a Atwood. No way what they were telling you is correct. That heater will definitely get the water hot. My guess is if you have Luke warm water something is wrong. I get good results from mine although it's not perfect it's pretty good. One trick when the water is to hot (normally to hot) is I turn the hot water on in the sink. That way I get better water flow and I can add cold in the shower without having the hi temp sensor shut down the heater.

[Oscarvan]

Yes, I've heard the "increase the flow" trick. In fact, one of the "fixes" my dealer made is to remove all the flow restrictors from the faucets.....

Hardly what one would expect from a $200K motor coach. Hot water is not rocket surgery...... This is all UNSAT by any measure.

If I cannot get the Atwood to behave to satisfaction, it will be removed and replaced with a 10G unit. I am NOT spending 2+ large for an od replacement. The Atwood 10G will not fit, nor do I want to buy another product by that name.

The Suburban MAY fit..... with little or no room to spare. The steel engine "box" is the limiting factor on my 38A. (length wise). There's a half inch of plywood on there which may have to suffer in the places where the connections come out the back, or some other "modifications" to the WH may be in order.

It's a battle I may have to fight.

[Phil57]

Maybe look at the Gerard gen lll. I know several people with that unit and are very happy. Install is fairly simple maybe do it yourself. The gen lll is around 4-500. Even the new Turma is is a easy install and out around 1200.

[Phil57]

Rocket surgery?

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by Phil57

Maybe look at the Gerard gen lll. I know several people with that unit and are very happy. Install is fairly simple maybe do it yourself. The gen lll is around 4-500. Even the new Turma is is a easy install and out around 1200.

X2 - I am not sure where you would put the tank and how that would work with the water manifold???

Originally Posted by Phil57

Rocket surgery?

MUCH harder than Rocket Science Phil

[Oscarvan]

Originally Posted by Phil57

Rocket surgery?

It's a funny Phil. "Brain Surgery" "Rocket science"..... get it?

[Phil57]

I get it but a good opportunity to give you a hard time.

[armye7]

Why won't Forest River go with the Aqua hot system?

[Phil57]

Originally Posted by armye7

Why won't Forest River go with the Aqua hot system?

Expensive and they take up lots of room in the basement.

[Phil57]

If anyone knows about Truma heaters a guy on the Berkshire page has a broken one.

[armye7]

Yes but very reliable. I have one in my coach now, and have had zero problems. I'm surprised they are not putting in their Charleston. Use to own FR products and always had good luck with them.

[Oscarvan]

Originally Posted by Phil57

I get it but a good opportunity to give you a hard time.

While my wife will agree with you I must inform you that I am a delicate flower and bruise easily.......

[dan-nickie]

I'm holding off Judgment of the Truma. There have been several versions of water heaters that were praised as being the answer at first.

[I-RV]

Originally Posted by dan-nickie

I'm holding off Judgment of the Truma. There have been several versions of water heaters that were praised as being the answer at first.

X2, Dan; I'm with you. I do not see how the Truma Comfort Plus can effectively circulate and keep the lines hot, because our coach's use manifold plumbing system rather then a plumbing line traveling around to each faucet. Therefore, if the Truma can keep the water hot to the manifold, there will still be a cold slug from the manifold to the faucet.

I went from Girard Gen I to III for like $450 and I am well satisfied.
Hank

[BamaBob]

I have heard rumors that hydronic heating is in the works. For what models, I don't know.


Personally, I would like to see it across the Berkshire (Charleston) line. One of the biggest causes of fires in Motorhomes is the propane system. Having a all-electric bus would greatly increase the safety (IMO).


Plus, as a fulltimer, I hate having to find a place to fill up the propane tank. Be much nicer to have the hydronic heater tap off the diesel (when needed) instead


Even better, some of the newer Aqua-Hot units are trimodal: use shore power when you are hooked up, Diesel when dry camping, and engine heat when underway to keep the coach warm.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by dan-nickie

I'm holding off Judgment of the Truma. There have been several versions of water heaters that were praised as being the answer at first.

Originally Posted by I-RV

X2, Dan; I'm with you. I do not see how the Truma Comfort Plus can effectively circulate and keep the lines hot, because our coach's use manifold plumbing system rather then a plumbing line traveling around to each faucet. Therefore, if the Truma can keep the water hot to the manifold, there will still be a cold slug from the manifold to the faucet.

I went from Girard Gen I to III for like $450 and I am well satisfied.
Hank

We have had our Truma since delivery in July, so that is a tad over 5 months in temps ranging from 110-28° (it got cold last night! )

1. It just works. Really. Honest. Has never failed us once since day 1.
2. Turn on the tap and within 1 min you have the complete range of temperatures from tepid to darn near scalding hot.
3. You set the temperature like you would in a house: move the handle toward 'hot' and the water gets hotter.
4. No weird futzing with controls, other faucets or other work-arounds like we have read people with Girard & Atwoods have to do.
5. Continuous hot water is just that: Anne & I shower right after each other on work days, no problem, always have hot water.

Now my concern:

FR is putting the base Truma in the Berkshire (Charleston) Line. This is a 3-ish season CHWH. I found out from Truma that you can upgrade to the Comfort model which is a 4 season CHWH with freeze protection. The retail price difference is @ $100 but finding a Truma dealer to retrofit has been a problem (Memo to the Diesel Division, stop cheaping out & install the darn Comfort model!)


Hank - to answer your question on the Comfort Plus: This has to be a OEM install - it cannot be retrofitted; the Comfort-Plus model requires specialized plumbing where the hot water is constantly circulated throughout the system in order for hot water at full operating temperature to be available instantaneously at all the faucets and showerhead.


Too bad Berks are not so equipped - I bet this would provide a good deal of freeze protection to the wet bay!

[Phil57]

My only concern with the Aqua Hot is the room it takes up. The LP bay isn't appropriate for the AH system so it gets but in the basement. Most take up a entire bay. That and the room taken by the tag really cuts down on space. A friend in the park here just bought a new Dutch Star. He traded a 40' American Eagle. His storage is way less on the new rig even though its 3' longer.

[BamaBob]

OK that WOULD be a consideration Phi!


I would think you could engineer (OEM, not retrofit) the installation so that it would fit in the space occupied by the (in our case 2) propane furnaces?

[joet19711]

Originally Posted by BamaBob

We have had our Truma since delivery in July, so that is a tad over 5 months in temps ranging from 110-28° (it got cold last night! )

1. It just works. Really. Honest. Has never failed us once since day 1.
2. Turn on the tap and within 1 min you have the complete range of temperatures from tepid to darn near scalding hot.
3. You set the temperature like you would in a house: move the handle toward 'hot' and the water gets hotter.
4. No weird futzing with controls, other faucets or other work-arounds like we have read people with Girard & Atwoods have to do.
5. Continuous hot water is just that: Anne & I shower right after each other on work days, no problem, always have hot water.

Now my concern:

FR is putting the base Truma in the Berkshire (Charleston) Line. This is a 3-ish season CHWH. I found out from Truma that you can upgrade to the Comfort model which is a 4 season CHWH with freeze protection. The retail price difference is @ $100 but finding a Truma dealer to retrofit has been a problem (Memo to the Diesel Division, stop cheaping out & install the darn Comfort model!)


Hank - to answer your question on the Comfort Plus: This has to be a OEM install - it cannot be retrofitted; the Comfort-Plus model requires specialized plumbing where the hot water is constantly circulated throughout the system in order for hot water at full operating temperature to be available instantaneously at all the faucets and showerhead.


Too bad Berks are not so equipped - I bet this would provide a good deal of freeze protection to the wet bay!

Bob,
So I assume that you have the 3 season Truma on you coach?
I guess the price I got from the dealer ($2,350) was for the 3 season Truma. I assume that your Berk has the water manifold like mine?
I know I have to soon solve this hot water problem or my wife will have me trading it in on something. Looked at a FR DX3 with Aqua Hot today.

Joe

[dan-nickie]

Here's the first bob.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...d.php?t=123439