Good post Truk,
The picture of the Aqua Hot with the insulation blanket removed and copper pipes exposed brings back some memories (bad memories).
A couple of years ago the steel tank on my Aqua Hot rusted thru and it was leaking anti-freeze. The only solution was to replace the tank. I called Aqua Hot to order a replacement tank: no dice! They informed me that they would only sell a tank DIRECTLY to a dealer, not to an individual. So I asked Newell to order a replacement tank and they installed it for me (at the direction of Vehicle Systems, Inc.)
If anyone has this problem get your checkbook ready; it won’t be cheap.
Don’t get me wrong. I like my Aqua Hot, it does a great job for what it is intended. It’s just replacing that tank is a real bummer!