Automate and Economize Your Experience

Turn on the AquaMatic Smart Controller power switch in the outside Hydronic heater bay. Also, turn on both the Diesel Burner and Electric Element switches inside the cabin.

When in the outside hydronic heater bay turn off the power switch on the AquaMatic Smart Controller. When inside the cabin, turning off either, or both, the Diesel Burner or Electric Element switch turns off the AquaMatic and restores manual, OEM, operation. Automatic mode is only active when both diesel and electric switches are turned ON.

The Economizer saves on diesel fuel consumption. First, it always prioritizes electric power usage over diesel/propane consumption. Second, when electric power is not available the boiler temperature is reduced to further minimize diesel/propane consumption. If boiler temperature has been reduced and If there is demand for cabin heat, freeze protection, or domestic hot water (in STAY mode), the boiler temperature is automatically raised to full operational temperature until demand is satisfied.

1. Stay Mode:  While you are generally occupying your RV and want to have domestic hot water on demand then Stay is the best choice. Boiler temperature is maintained around 190 degrees Fahrenheit when electric is available. Boiler temperature is maintained at a reduced temperature of about 120 degrees Fahrenheit when electric power is not available. Boiler temperature is raised to full temperature during demand periods. Diesel fuel savings of approximately 60% are typical during standby operation, without electricity, in Stay mode..

• Away Mode: If you'll not be occupying the RV and don't need domestic hot water then select "Away. The boiler temperature is allowed to cool to ambient temperature in standby operation. Boiler temperature is raised to full temperature during demand periods except for domestic hot water. Diesel fuel savings of 100% are typical during standby operation, without electricity, in Away mode.

Yes, and it's entirely automatic. The days of forgetting to turn on the diesel burner switch for cabin heat, freeze protection, engine pre-heat, or endless showers are over. So is accidentally wasting diesel fuel because you inadvertently left the diesel burner switch turned on after showering. Any heat zone including the wet bay, or domestic hot water usage automatically brings the diesel burner online. The diesel burner may not activate immediately, such as with domestic hot water demand, but it will always turn on in time to support demand.

The sensor is placed, or located, at the cold water inlet of the boiler tank. Its job is to detect when there is demand for domestic hot water. The sensor is located as close to the boiler tank as possible so that it heats up to near the actual boiler temperature without domestic hot water demand. The sensor is an ON/OFF switch that switches around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The sensor serves multiple uses. First, it is used to turn on the diesel burner during extended hot water demand. The sensor has a time delay of approximately 90 seconds before turning on the diesel burner. This allows for domestic hot water demand for hand washing, and clothes and dish washing, in many instances, without utilizing the diesel burner.

Note: If your hydronic system has a factor installed domestic hot water demand sensor then it works exactly as described here. The AquaMatic digital temperature sensor needed only with hydronic systems that do not have one from the factory installation.

Ordinary hand tools are needed for installation, such as a small screwdriver for Aqua-Hot controller terminals and controller cover plate. A wire cutter/stripper may be needed in some installations. The controller itself can be temporarily mounted using the provided double-sided tape. There are two mounting holes and self-taping screws provided for permanent placement.

There are 10 wire pairs to be installed that are color coded. Only one wire connection is modified at a time to eliminate confusion or mistakes. Typical installation time is approximately 1 hour and is accomplished in the same bay as the hydronic heating equipment. An additional 1/2 hour may be needed if the digital temperature sensor must be installed in the hydronic heating system enclosure.

The standby boiler temperature is reduced to save fuel during periods of non-electric operation such as boondocking, and is about 120-130 Fahrenheit. Typical shower temperature is about 105 Fahrenheit. So, a hot shower is immediately available. After about 90 seconds the diesel burner turns and provides full boiler temperature of about 190 Fahrenheit for the duration of the demand. After demand ceases, the boiler temperature is allowed to return to a standby temperature of 120 Fahrenheit while in non-electric operation.

No. Some of the wires coming to the controller are "intercepted" by the AquaMatic smart controller before going to the same wire terminals that they were originally wired. Some terminals on the controller that were left blank by the original installation may now be attached to the AquaMatic controller. Nothing is modified on the controller itself and therefore the installation does not affect the factory warranty.

No. The AquaMatic Smart Controller is in control of the diesel burner light and not the switch. The light is turned on whenever the AquaMatic controller actually turns the diesel burner on. The diesel burner light is now an indicator of actual diesel burner activation and not just an indicator that the switch is turned on.

Yes. Whenever the AquaMatic Smart Controller has requests the diesel burner be on, the Aqua-Hot blink codes will work just like OEM if the burner encounters an error. If the AquaMatic Smart Controller is not requesting diesel burner operation and the diesel burner light is off, then simply turn off the Electric Element switch, reverting operation to manual OEM operation, and the diesel light will turn on immediately and any blink codes will follow.

No. It is splash proof but not waterproof. It is mounted adjacent to the hydronic heating system control board that is not waterproof so waterproofing is not considered a priority.

No. The internal components are expected to last indefinitely and do not require any kind of maintenance or repair. It is not recommended to open the enclosure as damage may result. Contact the factory with any concerns that you have.

Remember: Turning off either the Diesel Burner or Electric Element switches completely disable AquaMatic Smart Controller operation and restore complete OEM operation. Likewise the power on/switch on the AquaMatic enclosure will do the same. So, give this a try before contacting us to be sure that any operational issues cannot be localized to the hydronic heater itself.

The AquaMatic Smart Controller offers a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects and normal operation. The lifetime warranty, however, is my lifetime and I'm over 70 years old.