Water heaters

PP · June 16, 2017, 06:49:06 PM

Zephod, I think J.M. Jackson gave you the answer you were looking for. Put some soft copper or even black irrigation pipe on your roof and run a line down the side to hook a hoze to. On a sunny day, a good length of that in 1" takes a long time before you get cold water out the end. And when you disconnect the hoze, it automatically drains so you're not packing any extra weight. Cheap, easy, and it's not under your feet.
Just sounded good for a warm climate,
Will

Zephod · June 16, 2017, 07:01:47 PM

Quote from: PP on June 16, 2017, 06:49:06 PM
Zephod, I think J.M. Jackson gave you the answer you were looking for. Put some soft copper or even black irrigation pipe on your roof and run a line down the side to hook a hoze to. On a sunny day, a good length of that in 1" takes a long time before you get cold water out the end. And when you disconnect the hoze, it automatically drains so you're not packing any extra weight. Cheap, easy, and it's not under your feet.
Just sounded good for a warm climate,
Will

I do admit I like that idea. Excellent for a static home. I'm against things on the roof though due to low branches.

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daddysgirl · June 18, 2017, 08:35:29 AM

Quote from: Oonrahnjay on June 13, 2017, 09:44:52 AM
Or a simple loop of plain copper pipe about 16" long (effective length - it will have to coil or bend but that's easy) connected to radiator coolant will give you *super hot* water for free. Add it to a tempering valve so 6 gallons in the heater will give you 12 gallons of hot-shower-temp water.

I am LOVING this idea...but it seems that what you want is a point of use unit like what Scott linked to.
Just a thought...
You could put one on the shower and one on the sink and run each off of either electric or individual propane canisters. I was looking at tankless for a time, and I found the same thing.
But just about the only thing I have found to be "fact" is that you'll never get back what you put into it. Like you said...build it for your needs. The beauty of it is that you can upgrade (or not) should your wife ever demand faucet water hot enough to steam her pores

But I have not personally run across too many places that don't have 50A. I do have a 50-30 connector, (I collect as many connectors as possible) but that is mainly until I change the outlet on the side of the house.

Zephod · June 18, 2017, 10:15:41 AM

Quote from: daddysgirl on June 18, 2017, 08:35:29 AM

I am LOVING this idea...but it seems that what you want is a point of use unit like what Scott linked to.
Just a thought...
You could put one on the shower and one on the sink and run each off of either electric or individual propane canisters. I was looking at tankless for a time, and I found the same thing.
But just about the only thing I have found to be "fact" is that you'll never get back what you put into it. Like you said...build it for your needs. The beauty of it is that you can upgrade (or not) should your wife ever demand faucet water hot enough to steam her pores

But I have not personally run across too many places that don't have 50A. I do have a 50-30 connector, (I collect as many connectors as possible) but that is mainly until I change the outlet on the side of the house.

The only instant gas water heaters I've seen have been fiendishly complex devices that I can't just install underneath the floor due to the controls and pilot light etc.

The 15A electric solution is far easier to install. Where I'm parked I have a 30A supply but a 20A cable.

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daddysgirl · June 18, 2017, 10:51:09 AM

Small world. I bookmarked this page:

http://www.mytanklesswaterheaterstore.com/eccotemp-fvi12-lp-indoor-tankless-water-heater/

windtrader · June 18, 2017, 11:42:49 AM

Andrea, why did you not go tankless or did you? Sorry if I missed your decision earlier. This thread interests me as tankless water heaters seem an ideal solution for a bus, whether boondocking or stationary for short and medium term. Obviously long term will be on shore and not have current restrictions.

Zephod · June 18, 2017, 12:02:02 PM

Quote from: daddysgirl on June 18, 2017, 10:51:09 AM
Small world. I bookmarked this page:
http://www.mytanklesswaterheaterstore.com/eccotemp-fvi12-lp-indoor-tankless-water-heater/

Neat but needs to be inside which is not where I want gas situated.

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lvmci · June 18, 2017, 01:16:26 PM

Hi, Andrea I have tankless in both buses and installed the Eco temp that's in your bookmark in my current bus there were two versions of 110 + 2 D batteries the AC version was the only available at the time I've been very happy with it it takes a bit to equalize the knobs to get water at the temperature that you want it. it is mounted in the bay with propane tank in the next Bay over and vented it through the floor and out to the side like a propane heater. Zephod, the first tankless was mounted in the bathroom and served equally as well. lvmci...

Geoff · June 18, 2017, 02:09:22 PM

Zephod, I can't keep up with your innovative ideas, but do you have an inside shower?

--Geoff

Zephod · June 18, 2017, 05:38:28 PM

Quote from: Geoff on June 18, 2017, 02:09:22 PM
Zephod, I can't keep up with your innovative ideas, but do you have an inside shower?

--Geoff

My inside shower is currently powered by 4 D cell electric shower pump and hot water from a 3 gallon cooler.

I dislike gas because it has too much unpredictable potential for disaster. It also introduces a lot of water vapor.

I'm figuring that if I'm parked up with a water supply and electricity then I don't need gas. On the rare occasions when electricity is unavailable, I do have a little one burner butane stove that can be used.

Most places where I can park have a 30A supply so.... I need a 15A instant water heater. Just one will be fine. I can put a tee connector and have hot going to the shower and to the handbasin.

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TomC · June 19, 2017, 07:33:44 AM

I don't like propane either. But-I do have a propane furnace and stove. I have a 20gal chassis mount propane tank with a solenoid on valve. Only have pressure when gas is needed. Granted when the furnace is on, the propane is on-but that's when the bus is stopped. And have a gas/CO detector right next to the furnace. Otherwise, everything else in my bus is electric. Good Luck, TomC

daddysgirl · June 19, 2017, 08:08:11 AM

I haven't decided on a specific system yet, but whatever I do the gas and heaters (water and temp) will be in a bay, vented.
The big heater is still in the bus...but I'm moving it. The small water heater is also on the bus. BUT the propane has NEVER been on the bus. I'm going to move it but it will still be in a bay.
The water heater was the first thing dad installed...even after I fought about it for 2 days. EVERYTHING after that was limited because he was stubborn (at least I got that trait honestly)

I don't love Propane, but I have been getting used to it since living in this house. But this conversion will take me longer than the 3751 and 4106 did, so I'll have more time to be thoughtful.

windtrader · June 19, 2017, 01:27:24 PM

It seems propane is safe as I have no recollection of reading about an RV exploding a huge ball of flames. Proper installation and venting is a given but virtually all coaches capable of boondocking seem to require it for heating.

No battery system has sufficient capacity to keep a coach warm on a cold night.

I guess there is a wood stove but even though they may be EPA certified, it seems rather a basic user error can light up an interior fairly easy. Plus you lose a few sq ft of usable coach space.

An electric water is the only choice in an all electric coach. You'll need to run the genset if parked for awhile and need hot water.

Numerous options. Guess it just depends on your personal preference and requirements. Good discussion.

Jon · June 19, 2017, 01:48:54 PM

My coach has a Raritan 20 gallon electric water heater that has a loop of copper heat exchanger so it gets heated while driving down the road with coolant. Because of its size and good insulation I have plenty of hot water for a shower a day after the engine was run. The only time I rely on the electric heating element is when we are parked somewhere for several days.

windtrader · June 19, 2017, 02:08:09 PM

Most water heater capacities in conversions seem to be in the 5-10 gallon range. Maybe the large professional conversion like yours have larger units. For me, I can't image going more than 24 hours and needing more hot water. Between a couple showers and a couple meals worth of dishes, it'll likely be gone in no time.

I know this is about water heaters but if most coaches run coach heat on propane then you the issues related to that fuel are moot, so it seems logical to use it for hot water (ala tankless). Still interesting to hear all facets of the topic.