Thanks for this video, after many years of thinking and reading I finally bought my own van, and this video helps me to make the right choices. Timing couldn't have been any better. Thank you 😊
Thanks for video! In a few weeks ill be starting my floor in my 170 Sprinter. I'm wanting to do the same and heat the flooring with glykol. Would love if we can get more information about what size and materials you used, if possible. Again thank you so much for all your videos. They definitely help.. Cheers!
Thank you for putting together these videos. One point though; those cozies are NOT radiant units. The heat transfer is forced convection. In floor tubing is a true form of radiant.
I saw the girl from Wolf Dog Buses raving about Aqua Hot. She had a much bigger unit because she had a bus but she was a snowboarder so she was in freezing climates all the time. She'd spend the day on the mountain and come back to the bus and it was toasty and warm so she had it on all the time. Had nice hot showers. This will be a strong consideration for me when the time comes. I ike the electric option too. There was a van lifer who had a problem in below freezing temps because his diesel fuel had gotten slushy. Great video! Thank you!
A very good presentation of a very expensive heater. Look, a China aer top heater that I use in my semi truck cost me $120 compared to Espar/Webasto ones that go for a grant $$$ and you can choose one with higher BTUs. It come with a T aer heat dispenser so you could have two separate area where hot aer go and not to say that the cheaper China’s aer heater works without having issues for the last three winter seasons. This hydronic heater is a no go for me, it’s complicated, expensive and not sure of reliability of the system.
Great video! I have been watching a lot of videos as I’m thinking I might buy a van at some point. I watched several espar/wabasto installation videos and when they had to work under the van to drop the gas tank, I kind of lost my courage and then I watched a video of an install in a RAM Promaster and it looked like there was a trap door in the cab so the gas tank didn’t need to be dropped? If that is true then maybe I should consider a Promaster, rather than a Transit which I was leaning towards, or just be prepared to pay someone $900-$1500 to do the install, which is what the other video said it would cost. Anyway, if you could make a video to explain all this that would be great! As far as this video you clearly explained the two systems, and given that I can wear slippers, and I don’t think that I would ever travel to cold climates other than waking up in Yellowstone and the temperature might be 30 degrees in August, so the air heater & water heater would be the right choice for me!
Thanks for another great video. I would be interested in your thoughts regarding this system with in floor heating. The Rixen supported hydronic system with in-floor heating and the Van Life system of the same type. (Ford transit with gas motor)
Another great video. Last I checked Aquahot won't sell to the DIYer. Are you familiar with Bobil air and water heaters? Popular in the UK, they connect a heat exchanger to your diesel air heater and heat water with it. Can also heat water directly from battery or shore power. Love the concept.
Great video. It answered a lot of questions I have had. I have an espar hydronic and want to make a DIY solution that combines engine preheating, maybe floor heating and hot water. Would it be possible to install a three way valve or similar to bypass the engine and/or cabin heating, e.g. on a sunny day when I only want hot water for sink and shower?
Hi Jeff, as always very educative video. Thank you! In the heated floor shown in minute 27:45 did you put the xps foam directly on van metal floor or did you frame it. What size of pex was used 1/2” or 3/8” thank you so much.
Hi Jeff, thank for your response. I assume that if the XPS insulation is 1” and the PEX is 1/2” then the 1” aluminum bars can only be placed in the perimeter. Correct?
Thanks for the detailed explanation. Very helpful. My builder is installing this system for my build (minus the heated floors). I know there are a few variables, but how does the system perform in really cold situations (mountain ski towns get quite cold at night)?
Very good explanation, thank you! Does it have any mechanism for heating the engine coolant for cold weather starts? Or using the coolant for heating water like some of the tanks?
It is possible to tie it into the engine coolant system, but it’s not really designed specifically to do that. We work on brand new vans, and we like to keep the engine and house systems separate as much as possible.
We do use the Isotemp water heaters that are capable of running off of the engine coolant. However, we don’t like to tap into the coolant system on a brand new van. We find that the electric heating element is sufficient.
I’ve been considering an aquqhot system. One feature I like is the ability to heat engine coolant to aid cold weather starting, especially for the Sprinter diesel engine. 2) questions: can you than use the heated engine coolant to heat the van while the engine is running? Second with the aqua hot installed on the bottom of the van exposed to the weather, road salt, water etc will that affect longevity of the heater?:
The heater is underneath the van, but everything else is inside. You can plumb it into the engine coolant if you like to heat the water, but as soon as you turn off the engine it will start to cool down and you’ll have to run the diesel heater. We don’t feel that it’s worth the cost and effort, but your mileage may vary.
@@thrivans I was able to order the AHE-125-GN1. Do you know if they are supposed to come with 3 cozy heat exchangers? or is that ordered separate? The kit I have only came with the unit, lcd, and gas heater.
While this is convenient, it's insanely overpriced. I did a DIY version that includes, a Webasto Hydronic heater, hot water exchanger, air heater, in-floor heat, grey tank antifreeze loop, and engine-tied heat exchanger for under $2000. $5000 JUST for the floor is absurd, that should be a couple hundred including the subfloor.
A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR system is INSANE!! There is NO way the parts cost even 25% of that so what it boils down to is GREED! I am SICK top death of companies beating customers over the head because their need for greed is insatiable!
The complexity added with these is kinda silly. Especially considering the price point. It just makes no practical sense. Upgrade your electrical system with more battery storage for that money. Far more useful. And/or get a 2nd alternator to charge your batteries which makes all of the power usage irrelevant.
Why not just connect a hydronic diesel heater to a hot water tank that has a heat exchanger already built in (such as the eletric one at the start of your video) and an air matrix or two, that way you will always have hot water ready on demand and save alot on cost too compared to this
Have you thought about adding it into your engine cooling system? That way, on days you move, you're saving on heating the water and just maintaining heat.
Thanks for this video, after many years of thinking and reading I finally bought my own van, and this video helps me to make the right choices. Timing couldn't have been any better. Thank you 😊
Great to hear!
Thanks for video! In a few weeks ill be starting my floor in my 170 Sprinter. I'm wanting to do the same and heat the flooring with glykol. Would love if we can get more information about what size and materials you used, if possible. Again thank you so much for all your videos. They definitely help.. Cheers!
Thank you for putting together these videos. One point though; those cozies are NOT radiant units. The heat transfer is forced convection. In floor tubing is a true form of radiant.
I saw the girl from Wolf Dog Buses raving about Aqua Hot. She had a much bigger unit because she had a bus but she was a snowboarder so she was in freezing climates all the time. She'd spend the day on the mountain and come back to the bus and it was toasty and warm so she had it on all the time. Had nice hot showers. This will be a strong consideration for me when the time comes. I ike the electric option too. There was a van lifer who had a problem in below freezing temps because his diesel fuel had gotten slushy. Great video! Thank you!
Yes. They make different sizes. They have been putting Aquahot systems in large RVs for many years.
Jeff.....you are awesome at explaining all of the systems involved in van building!!!!
A very good presentation of a very expensive heater. Look, a China aer top heater that I use in my semi truck cost me $120 compared to Espar/Webasto ones that go for a grant $$$ and you can choose one with higher BTUs. It come with a T aer heat dispenser so you could have two separate area where hot aer go and not to say that the cheaper China’s aer heater works without having issues for the last three winter seasons. This hydronic heater is a no go for me, it’s complicated, expensive and not sure of reliability of the system.
Great video! I have been watching a lot of videos as I’m thinking I might buy a van at some point. I watched several espar/wabasto installation videos and when they had to work under the van to drop the gas tank, I kind of lost my courage and then I watched a video of an install in a RAM Promaster and it looked like there was a trap door in the cab so the gas tank didn’t need to be dropped? If that is true then maybe I should consider a Promaster, rather than a Transit which I was leaning towards, or just be prepared to pay someone $900-$1500 to do the install, which is what the other video said it would cost. Anyway, if you could make a video to explain all this that would be great! As far as this video you clearly explained the two systems, and given that I can wear slippers, and I don’t think that I would ever travel to cold climates other than waking up in Yellowstone and the temperature might be 30 degrees in August, so the air heater & water heater would be the right choice for me!
Thanks for another great video. I would be interested in your thoughts regarding this system with in floor heating. The Rixen supported hydronic system with in-floor heating and the Van Life system of the same type. (Ford transit with gas motor)
Another great video. Last I checked Aquahot won't sell to the DIYer. Are you familiar with Bobil air and water heaters? Popular in the UK, they connect a heat exchanger to your diesel air heater and heat water with it. Can also heat water directly from battery or shore power. Love the concept.
Sounds interesting. I have not heard of Bobil.
Great explanation. A diagram of the Hydronic system would be very helpful too!
Great suggestion!
Great video. It answered a lot of questions I have had.
I have an espar hydronic and want to make a DIY solution that combines engine preheating, maybe floor heating and hot water.
Would it be possible to install a three way valve or similar to bypass the engine and/or cabin heating, e.g. on a sunny day when I only want hot water for sink and shower?
I think a 3-way valve would work fine.
Hi Jeff, as always very educative video. Thank you! In the heated floor shown in minute 27:45 did you put the xps foam directly on van metal floor or did you frame it. What size of pex was used 1/2” or 3/8” thank you so much.
The foam is on the floor, with 1” aluminum bars strategically placed for reinforcement. The tubing is 1/2” PEX.
Hi Jeff, thank for your response. I assume that if the XPS insulation is 1” and the PEX is 1/2” then the 1” aluminum bars can only be placed in the perimeter. Correct?
Best explanation of radiant heat that I've heard. Thanks
Thanks for the detailed explanation. Very helpful. My builder is installing this system for my build (minus the heated floors). I know there are a few variables, but how does the system perform in really cold situations (mountain ski towns get quite cold at night)?
Our customers say that it works great. Their previous van had an Espar air heater and they much prefer the hydronic system.
Its a bummer auqa hot does not list pricing on their web site. $12,000 for in-floor heat - radiant heat is a big chunk of change.
Very good explanation, thank you! Does it have any mechanism for heating the engine coolant for cold weather starts? Or using the coolant for heating water like some of the tanks?
It is possible to tie it into the engine coolant system, but it’s not really designed specifically to do that. We work on brand new vans, and we like to keep the engine and house systems separate as much as possible.
That makes sense. Thanks.
The larger units will heat the engine coolant, but the smaller ones won't.
Did you install one yet? Wondered if you had an install video and if you DIYed the floor or bought one.
I already installed one. Doing another in a few weeks. I’ll try to do an install video. We made the floor on our CNC.
What about the water heaters that use engine coolant? Have you tried one?
We do use the Isotemp water heaters that are capable of running off of the engine coolant. However, we don’t like to tap into the coolant system on a brand new van. We find that the electric heating element is sufficient.
I’ve been considering an aquqhot system. One feature I like is the ability to heat engine coolant to aid cold weather starting, especially for the Sprinter diesel engine. 2) questions: can you than use the heated engine coolant to heat the van while the engine is running? Second with the aqua hot installed on the bottom of the van exposed to the weather, road salt, water etc will that affect longevity of the heater?:
The heater is underneath the van, but everything else is inside. You can plumb it into the engine coolant if you like to heat the water, but as soon as you turn off the engine it will start to cool down and you’ll have to run the diesel heater. We don’t feel that it’s worth the cost and effort, but your mileage may vary.
The aqua hats are beautiful but they're thousands of dollars, are already looked into it
I thought it also uses the heat from the engine also ....Iotemp Water Heater
Using in the mountains in thin air, how will the fuel systems work 🤔
No problem. It’s rated up to 16,000 feet.
I’m watching, wearing the exact same pullover sweater (from Costco).👍
Good taste!
@@thrivans don’t we though!😁👍
Do you have a supplier that I can order this from specifically the 125G? or are you able to sell this directly?
We order directly from Aquahot. We’re not a reseller.
@@thrivans I was able to order the AHE-125-GN1. Do you know if they are supposed to come with 3 cozy heat exchangers? or is that ordered separate? The kit I have only came with the unit, lcd, and gas heater.
While this is convenient, it's insanely overpriced. I did a DIY version that includes, a Webasto Hydronic heater, hot water exchanger, air heater, in-floor heat, grey tank antifreeze loop, and engine-tied heat exchanger for under $2000. $5000 JUST for the floor is absurd, that should be a couple hundred including the subfloor.
We should get this system with all options possible (installed). Maybe they will give us a free van to go with it.🤔😉🤑
A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR system is INSANE!! There is NO way the parts cost even 25% of that so what it boils down to is GREED! I am SICK top death of companies beating customers over the head because their need for greed is insatiable!
The complexity added with these is kinda silly. Especially considering the price point. It just makes no practical sense. Upgrade your electrical system with more battery storage for that money. Far more useful. And/or get a 2nd alternator to charge your batteries which makes all of the power usage irrelevant.
I looked up the price on this and I think I'm going to be taking cold showers for a while.😢😢😢
Why not just connect a hydronic diesel heater to a hot water tank that has a heat exchanger already built in (such as the eletric one at the start of your video) and an air matrix or two, that way you will always have hot water ready on demand and save alot on cost too compared to this
Have you thought about adding it into your engine cooling system? That way, on days you move, you're saving on heating the water and just maintaining heat.
If this takes to install 30 hours you better have it installed somewhere in Venezuela.😂😂😂
Is this company supplying the extra money because obviously no one has extra money.😂😂😂
No wonder these vans that are converted cost so much. Probably better off buying a motorhome.
$5k ??? Wow ~