Aqua Hot Heating Element Current Draw

[Harold Sears]

What is the correct current draw for each of the two heating element in my Aqua Hot system. I have 29.6 amp draw on the 240 Volt element and 17.7 on the 120 volt element. I believe this to be high. What is the problem.

Newell 1997
Coach # 451

Harold Sears

[fulltiming]

I don't know which model you have but the 120 volt elements in the new AquaHot units are 2000 watts which would be around 17 amps. There should be a "Marking Plate" on the unit which lists the model number, serial number, manufacturing date, fuel type and 'firing' rate, and the wattage of the electric heating elements. There are likely two marking plates. One on the side of the unit and one that is in the area where the recirculation pumps are located.

[Harold Sears]

The Model # is 431XE/12. Other information on the "Marking Plate" has faded away. I do know the heating element for the 220V is 4500 watts and the element for the 120V is 1650 watts. I have replaced the 120V element about three years ago. The input voltage is around 120 volts. If you divide the watts by the voltage to get the amperage draw, it is a lot less than what my unit is drawing. 4500 watts divided by 240volts is 18.75 amps. 1650 watts divided by 120 volts is 13.75. What is causing the high amperage draw. Is it hard water buildup on the elements. Thanks for your input.

Harold Sears
317-399-1180
Coach #451

[Richard and Rhonda]

Harold,

Are you getting those amperage numbers from the meters inside the coach, or have you actually hung an ammeter around the wires going into the heater?

[Harold Sears]

I used my Fluke, clamp around, ampmeter to check the draw on each 120v circuits. I checked the wires between the contactor (relay) and the Aqua Hot unit.

Harold Sears
50 amp Power Pal-Electrical Outlet Tester
www.got50amps.com
Coach #451

[tuga]

I have an Aqua Hot 431/12 in my Newell. I would like to know how to turn on the 4500 watt electric heating element.

I have switches above the microwave labeled Electric Aqua Hot and a separate switch labeled Diesel Aqua Hot. The switch labeled Electric Aqua Hot is also labeled Heat On/AC Off and AC on/Heat Off. This switch controls my AC units; if I want AC I have to switch the toggle switch up to AC on/Heat Off. Then in winter, I have to change the switch to Heat On/AC Off.

My question is if I want to use my Aqua Hot on the 4500 watt setting (not on diesel) when plugged into shore power how do I do it? Also how can I use my AC units while using the Aqua Hot on 4500 watt electric?

[tuga]

My Aqua Hot anti freeze is leaking out of the radiator from the bottom of the coach.

Has anyone else had this problem?

I am going to buy a radiator cap pressure tester and see if I can find the leak.

[Ron Skeen]

Tuga,
On my 96 I can not use the AC when calling for electric heat to the aqua hot. Newell told me this is to keep from overload the electric system.

[fulltiming]

Tuga, my coach does not have Aqua-Hot but it is my understanding that the way Newell wires the Aqua-Hot, you should not be able to run both the Air Conditioners and the Aqua-Hot on AC at the same time. With the Aqua-Hot in the Heat ON/AC OFF position and the Aqua-Hot diesel switch OFF, the electric element should come on as needed to heat the coolant as long as the AC circuit breaker for the Aqua-Hot is turned on. The Aqua-Hot pulls about the same current as 3 Air Conditioners running at the same time.

[tuga]

Tuga,
On my 96 I can not use the AC when calling for electric heat to the aqua hot. Newell told me this is to keep from overload the electric system.

Thanks Ron, that is exactly what I understood. How then do you turn on the 4500 watt heating element? I don't think that our Aqua Hots have a 4500 watt heating element! If anyone knows that we have one please tell me how you turn it on.

[NewellCrazy]

Harold, I found this in the aqua hot manual although I'm sure by now you found the answer.

120VAC 2000 Watt = Approximately 17 amps



240VAC 4500 Watt = Approximately 17 amps