Sometimes in this Wonderful Lifestyle, You Have an Issue

Reading Sherry’s post from yesterday about their issues with their refrigerator, reminded me that I never posted our trauma/drama with our hot water heater. . .we get so caught up in the joy of this lifestyle, that we sometimes haf’ta be reminded. . .into every life, a little rain must fall. . .such was our experience with having the “maintenance” done on our Aqua Hot System back in May.

 

When we bought this motorhome “USED – AS IS” 18 months ago. . .

we had no doubt that we would be servicing all systems,

because, there was just no way to know when service had been done last. . .

but, as my brother said, we got such a great deal on it. . .

we could spend another $40 thousand upgrading,

and still be ahead of the game. . .

and with Dave being a “Certified RV Inspector”

we knew “at the moment we bought it” that all systems were working. . .

so, it was a risk we were willing to take. . .

having taken several “RV Maintenance Classes”  from Mobile RV Academy,
and having full timed 12 years now, Dave has a pretty good handle on

servicing and maintaining the different systems on the RV. . .

but the Aqua Hot “Continuous Hot Water System” which runs on either

electric or by firing up the “diesel jets” was a little above his pay grade. . .

and required a professional for servicing. . .

 

Finally, when got to the Escapades Rally in Elkhart, there was someone available to git ’r’ done

better him climbing up into the middle of the bay than Dave. . .right?

 

but. . .of course it requires more than just a “tune up”

or just having the diesel jets “cleaned”

 

the rig is 12 years old. . .this may be the original hot water heater. . .

we just don’t know. . .

 

so. . .diesel jets will be replaced. . .

all the rubber gaskets and grommets should be replaced. . .

the igniters should be replaced also. . .and the temperature sensor,

and the burner cone. . .oh yeah. . .it’s cracked. . .that can’t be good,

so it will need to be replaced. . .do you see a trend here?  hmmmm. . .

but, it’s all good. . .and we’ll be glad to know that it’s all in good working order.

Two days later. . .parts ordered, installed. . .fire it up. . .ah. . .lovely,

the jets are roaring. . .sounds great. . .all is well. . .

so. . .off we go to our next destination four hours away. . .but guess what?


When you replace all that “maintenance stuff” with new parts,

and it’s all working to it’s maximum potential. . .

AND. . .

there are still “older” parts further up the line. . .

like couplings in the motor

“which had nothing to do with service”

might fail. . .and there ya are. . .back to square one. . .

 

because it also works on electric,

we don’t fire up the jets every day. . .

maybe only once a week, if we want to take a really, really long shower

which is why we are now four hours away

so, we call the tech in Elkhart. . .he says. . .bring it back, and I’ll fix it. . .

yeah. . .four hours back the way we just came. . .eh. . .

doesn’t really sound too fun. . .had it been something to do with the repair he did,

yeah, we would have gone back. . .but guessing it’s something totally different,

let’s see if there’s an Aqua Hot Specialist closer to where we are. . .

 

Yup. . .Just Trucks in Traverse City specializes in Aqua Hot Repairs,

and they can get us in right away. . .winner!
The tech there says it’s a common failure. . .they have the part. . .

couple hours. . .done. . .away we go!  Happy Campers. . .


So. . .for about $1200 total, we have a completely rebuilt system. . .

can’t find any info on what a new one costs. . .

but I’m thinking way more than what we spent!


sooo. . .there you go. . .just another day in RV’ing paradise. . .

still beats lawn work, and paying property taxes.

We’ll take it!