water heater size

[Bob & Tracey]

Hi,

We have a 20 gal. electric water heater in our 4104. I don't think we need to carry so much water that we really can't use so I would like to replace it with something smaller or even a tankless heater. What size water heaters are you using in your bus? Any tankless heaters?

Thanks,
Bob

[Ednj]

Bob,

I don't have a hot water tank at all.

I use a flat plate heat exchanger hooked to the Proheat and you have all the hot water you can stand in less than 2 minutes.

[jjrbus]

I've got a standard RV type LP/Electric 6 gallon heater, works for me.

[tekebird]

6 gallon with an engine coolant heat exchanger.  free hot water every time you drive

[Blacksheep]

2.5 ga under counter wet bar type found at lowes. Going on 6 years now and never let us down. Its quicker to heat a little water than it is if you have 20 gal and use part, then you cool your hot water with what you replace. My thoughts anyway!
Ace

[cody]

Ace, I'm interested in the recovery rate for the unit you have, is it fast enough for showers or just for kitchen use, we've also got a 20 gallon electric home style heater.

[John Z]

Atwood 6 gallon. Propane, electric, or engine heat.

[Blacksheep]

Cody we use it for everything showers too. When I'm done and dried off, its hot for Susan. Its 110 electric!
Ace

[luvrbus]

Cody, in AZ and FL you don't need much hot water the water about warm enough to start with don't think a 2.5 will work for in the northeast unless you want a cold shower.

[buddydawg]

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100011293&N=10000003+90401+502972

Has anyone seen or used one of these?  It is only 4 gallons but that may be enough depending on your personal usage.  It would definitely promote faster showers.

[Lin]

We had a Poloma instant hot water heater in the last bus.  I liked it a lot.  We have a 10 gallon electric one now.  It's okay, but if I ever have to due something with it, we will go tankless.  Of course, you could say that this gives me 10% more fresh water capacity.

[Blacksheep]

Luvrbus we promote cold showers down here! Trying to cut back on the population if you know what I mean!
Like I said, the small water heater does fine for the two of us. Its good for dish washing too. We have a W/D but not hooked up yet so not sure about that but one thing it DOES do and that is recoup very fast!
Ace

[TomC]

I have my 130gal water tank and 2-10 gal electric water heaters from Home Depot under my bed.  One water heater feeds into the next with the final water heater wired through the inverter so I have hot water all day long while driving.  I keep the temp down on the water heaters to prevent build up hence NO maintenance in the 13 years I've been using them. They take about 45 minutes to heat from cold.  It is the simplest water heating method- no propane, no coolant hoses going to it, no Diesel fuel fired heaters, no circulation pumps, just silent hot water.  I like it so much, I'm going to use this system again with my next conversion.  Good Luck, TomC

[JackConrad]

   We have one 10 gallon electric water heater from Home Depot.  We reset the thermostat to the hottest setting. Turn it on for 45 minutes and we have 10 gallon of 150 degree water. Doesn't take much of this added to cold water for a shower. We usually turn water heater on while preparing supper. Plenty of hot water to wash dishers, 2 showers and still have hot water left next morning.
   If you can reset the thermostat on the 4 gallon iniot it may work becaue you would use less of the hot and more cold to acheive the same water temperature.  Jack

[Jriddle]

Ednj

How many plates and size of you heat exchanger? I have 12 gal 110 with heat exchanger but it is kind of big and would like info on your plate exchanger.
Thanks John