R-pod Owners Forum : Tankless propane hot water heaters https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Wish List : Tankless propane hot water heaters Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 28 May 2026 14:23:43 +0000 Sun, 10 Feb 2019 05:50:56 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=12557 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ Tankless propane hot water heaters : The tankless electric heaters... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120595#120595 Author: offgrid
Subject: 12557
Posted: 10 Feb 2019 at 5:50am

The tankless electric heaters essentially adjust instantaneously now. Precise to a degree or better with no noticeable lags or temp variations. Can’t speak for the gas ones but they’re probably pretty close to that. Which one makes the most sense depends on the costs of energy in your area, for me electric is cheapest.

With any tankless system the peak heating capacity has to be selected to meet your max flow rate and inlet and outlet water temps. You can do this calc yourself or use a table provided by the manufacturer. Tankless systems will probably use more power (electric or gas) than any other appliance in your house, but they will use less energy (power over time) than a tank water heater because when you’re not using water they’re off.

If anyone is contemplating any significant home replumbing you should take a look at modern pex based water distribution systems first, plumbing has changed dramatically and for the better in the last few years. I had to replace all my plumbing distribution after Matthew and am amazed at how much easier it is now, less expensive, more compact and convenient, leak free, and with faster water delivery. ]]> Sun, 10 Feb 2019 05:50:56 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120595#120595 Tankless propane hot water heaters : My daughter has a tankless system... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120593#120593 Author: lostagain
Subject: 12557
Posted: 09 Feb 2019 at 7:59pm

My daughter has a tankless system that they installed about 12 years ago and they've been pretty happy with it.  But it's a high BTU system for their small 4 br. house.  The ambient water temp is not so cold so the amount of heating that has to be done is well within the capacity of their heater.  The heater in my sister-in-law's apartment works well but they have the flow rate set at the minimum and the temp at max.  Like my daughters, they have a starting temp that is not too cold.

I looked into a tankless system when I lived in northern NJ and decide against it because in the winter the starting water temp was just too cold for all but the most costly heaters. 

For us, we're sticking with our Suburban 6 gal for our Pod.  We hardly heat water anyway and it is more than adequate for our needs.  The extra weight is of no consequence in our already light trailer.
]]> Sat, 09 Feb 2019 19:59:10 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120593#120593 Tankless propane hot water heaters : We have two water heaters in our... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120592#120592 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 12557
Posted: 09 Feb 2019 at 7:18pm

We have two water heaters in our house (it was built in two different stages). The south (original side) has a conventional tank-style water heater. We've replaced it a couple of times over the years. It works fine and is steady. Nice hot water.

The north (addition side) has a tankless heater. Understand first that this tankless heater was new in 1995. We've never replaced it. It does not supply a "lot" of water, but it does OK. By itself, it supplies hot water to one or two sinks. However, if you need to fill a tub, or take a shower, you need to enable the "booster". The booster is electric and uses something like 6KW of juice (~~ 30 amps at 220 volts). I can hear the electric meter spin when that puppy is on.

I'm sure tankless heaters have improved in the 25 or so years since that thing was made. If I had to do over again, I would install point-of-use tankless heaters in the two bathrooms. As it is, you have to wait about 3 days for the hot water to make it to the sink.
]]> Sat, 09 Feb 2019 19:18:50 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120592#120592 Tankless propane hot water heaters : I looked at some of the tankless... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120591#120591 Author: lostagain
Subject: 12557
Posted: 09 Feb 2019 at 6:36pm

I looked at some of the tankless RV water heaters in Amazon.  The issues in this review were not uncommon:
"I have a Girard tankless water heater in my 2014 Jayco Motorhome. It is by far, the worst water heater that I have ever had in my 35+ years of camping. I am not sure how the Precision Temp RV-550 Tankless Water Heater works, but if it is anything like the Girard, Don't get it. I am having the tankless water heater removed and replaced with a standard 6 gallon Propane/Electric Water heater at a cost of $1700.
The tankless water heater will not hold the temperature that you adjust it to and the water fluctuates from scalding hot to ice cold over and over again. This is because the water pressures in campgrounds fluctuates all the time and tankless water heaters do not work well because of this. This is extremely dangerous when taking a shower.
Take my advice, until the tankless water heater companies address the fluctuating water temperature problems, stay with the standard 6 or 10 gallon water heaters."

It looks like the technology needs a little fine tuning.  The complaint in this review is exactly what I experienced with my first tankless water heating system back in 2002 in an apartment where I lived.

]]> Sat, 09 Feb 2019 18:36:13 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120591#120591 Tankless propane hot water heaters : For a luxury class B the Truma... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120584#120584 Author: offgrid
Subject: 12557
Posted: 09 Feb 2019 at 2:36pm

For a luxury class B the Truma makes lots of sense, they are tight on space and what's a thousand dollars more on a new $100K plus RV? As a retrofit for budget conscious travel trailer owners, not so much. ]]> Sat, 09 Feb 2019 14:36:27 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120584#120584 Tankless propane hot water heaters : If you had to replace both your... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120581#120581 Author: lostagain
Subject: 12557
Posted: 09 Feb 2019 at 1:47pm

If you had to replace both your heater and water heater, something like the Truma Comfort Plus could really make some sense.  The question is whether it would be worth it in an older Pod.  If you planned on keeping it a long time after the switch it may be cost effective, but if you tend to turn over your RV's every so often, it may not be such a good idea.]]> Sat, 09 Feb 2019 13:47:13 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120581#120581 Tankless propane hot water heaters : The space around the current water... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120576#120576 Author: offgrid
Subject: 12557
Posted: 09 Feb 2019 at 9:29am

The space around the current water heater in my 179 is under the bed so is wasted anyway. And you have to have clearances for the hot flue gasses so I'm not sure its either needed or desirable to have a much smaller tankless unit.

If money is no object you can get a Truma Comfort Plus and remove both the current furnace and water heater, it performs both functions. Its a hybrid design with a 2.6 gallon tank to address lostagain's point regarding water waste while the on demand system heats up after sensing water flow. It will save about 50 lbs total weight including the the net water weight savings, plus the space saving from replacing both existing units.

And, the furnace section is actually quiet, addressing another issue that has prompted some members here to add heat exchangers to the hot water systems. Only catch? Ya have to have about $1500 burning a hole in your pocket...
]]> Sat, 09 Feb 2019 09:29:48 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120576#120576 Tankless propane hot water heaters : Making room for Bourbon is a non-sequitur... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120574#120574 Author: lostagain
Subject: 12557
Posted: 09 Feb 2019 at 8:41am

Making room for Bourbon is a non-sequitur for me.  I don't like it and don't drink it.  Now, if you were talking about tequila Herradura Reposado that'd be a horse of a different color.  

Gaining storage from a smaller tankless water heater makes the equation change and since it is a question of trade-offs, that may be the balance tipper.  The other issue is cost.  Many of the tankless systems are pretty pricey and for those of us on a limited budget, it just doesn't make sense, even if we are in need of replacement of the exiting Suburban water heater.
]]> Sat, 09 Feb 2019 08:41:09 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120574#120574 Tankless propane hot water heaters : I don't think they are... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120571#120571 Author: Motor7
Subject: 12557
Posted: 09 Feb 2019 at 8:11am

I don't think they are done getting smaller yet. The RV ones now are designed to fit the opening of the old tanked ones so that is why they are so large. Sooner or later, a mfg will come up with a more compact gas fired one that will take up maybe 1/3 of the present designed compartment. Then we will gain storage and lose some dead weight. Just think of how many bottles of Bourbon could fit in there(that's Not dead weight)! Until then, I'm not in a hurry to swap mine out, but just daydreaming about the future. ]]> Sat, 09 Feb 2019 08:11:07 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120571#120571 Tankless propane hot water heaters : If weight is really that... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120567#120567 Author: lostagain
Subject: 12557
Posted: 09 Feb 2019 at 7:13am

If weight is really that critical that you can't manage the weightof the 6 gallons of water in the water heater, then you've probably got toomuch stuff in your trailer and may want to consider getting a bigger one.   I did a little poking around on the Internetand found a tankless water heater that is a direct swap for the Suburban onAmazon.  It runs about $600.  It weighs a little less than half the weightof the Suburban, thus saving you an additional 24 lbs.  [The Suburban cost almost $500.]  https://www.amazon.com/Girard-2GWHAM-Demand-Tankless-Heater/dp/B019BWN8E2/ref=sr_1_24?crid=KZEQQ40ZYQX9&keywords=tankless+water+heater+for+rv+propane&qid=1549717924&s=gateway&sprefix=tankless+water+heater+for+rv%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-24

 

Tankless water heaters are activated by flow, so you have to runit long enough to get the flow hot.  I'm using one right now every day fora shower and it takes quite a bit of water passing through the system beforethe water from the heater gets hot enough to be useful.  That amount willdepend on the starting temperature of the water, the distance to the point ofuse, the flow rate, and the efficiency of the heat exchanger.  So, you'dwant to compare how much water you will use to get usable hot water from boththe tankless and tank systems. 

 

My suspicion, based on using one every day here in Colombia, isthat you'd use pretty close to a couple of quarts to a gallon before getting useablehot water.  And if you take mariner's showers, you are going to have toreheat each time you turn the water off and on.  [The amount of reheatingdepends on how long it's turned off and the ambient temperature of the freshwater in the tank.]  In contrast, the tank gives you nearly instant hotwater with each turning off and on, the delay being the distance from the tankto the shower and how fast the hot water in the line cools off.

 

Given the limited tankage, both gray and fresh, and the higherlevel of water use for a tankless water heater, if you boondock, such a systemmay not be the best option.  On the otherhand, if you tend to stay in RV parks with full hookups and don’t have to worryabout a limited supply of water and gray water tankage, then such a systemcould be ideal. 


So, the decision really depends on how you use your shower and sink, whether the extra use of water needed to get useable hot water is more efficient than lugging around an extra 65 lbs. of water and water heater for the tanked system.   I'd be interested in your experience if you change out your unit for a tankless, so please let us know.

]]> Sat, 09 Feb 2019 07:13:02 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120567#120567 Tankless propane hot water heaters : The RV tankless water heaters... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120565#120565 Author: offgrid
Subject: 12557
Posted: 09 Feb 2019 at 3:47am

The RV tankless water heaters fit in the same space as the tank ones. 

You do save the 6 gallons of water. As we all know, the only way to get that 6 gallons out of the tank is to pull the anode.  Otherwise, you're just ferrying around 6 gallons of dead water weight you can't use. No water tank, no 50 lbs of dead weight. If you leave 6 gal out of the fresh water tank you only have 24 gal water available, not 30. That's probably fine if you don't boondock. 

]]> Sat, 09 Feb 2019 03:47:20 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120565#120565 Tankless propane hot water heaters : Well, it certainly doesn't... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120563#120563 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 12557
Posted: 08 Feb 2019 at 11:41pm

Well, it certainly doesn't seem like it would save space. Maybe a few pounds, but I'm with lostagain. I think all you really need to do (if you want to save the 48 lb water weight) is to not fill the WH before you leave. Sure you lose 6 gallons, but it wouldn't be there with the tankless either.]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2019 23:41:10 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120563#120563 Tankless propane hot water heaters : Changing to tankless on a small... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120560#120560 Author: offgrid
Subject: 12557
Posted: 08 Feb 2019 at 7:33pm

Changing to tankless on a small RV makes a lot more sense as a weight saving measure than as a way to use up more water taking showers. 

If you stick with Suburban their tankless unit weighs 36 lbs and the 6 gallon one weighs 32 lbs empty. 6 gal water weighs 50 lbs so you'd save 46 lbs with the changeover to tankless. 

If that's worth it or not is going to depend on how critical it is to save that weight on an individual rig. I could see doing it if I had to replace my water heater anyway. it's a personal decision, no right or wrong to it one way or the other. 
]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2019 19:33:18 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120560#120560 Tankless propane hot water heaters : Motor 7, I'm on the side... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120559#120559 Author: mcarter
Subject: 12557
Posted: 08 Feb 2019 at 6:17pm

Motor 7,

I'm on the side of not seeing a benefit to this. Not to dissuade you, but not an item I can see as a priority. Let us know how your idea turns out. Interested, just not excited.]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2019 18:17:03 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120559#120559 Tankless propane hot water heaters : It's hardly worth the effort.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120558#120558 Author: lostagain
Subject: 12557
Posted: 08 Feb 2019 at 5:39pm

It's hardly worth the effort.  That extra 6 gallons of water in the grand scheme of things isn't going to make that much difference unless you're already loaded to the max.  Simpler to just put in 6 fewer gallons in your fresh water tank.  What's the weight of a tankless heater with all the ancillary piping and heat exchanger?  I suspect, but really don't know, that it is not significantly different from the Suburban heater you have.  

I asked my sister-in-law if she'd mind if I took hers off the wall to weigh it.  She looked at me like I was nuts and started laughing at me saying:  "En tus sueños."  So, I dropped the idea. 
]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2019 17:39:33 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120558#120558 Tankless propane hot water heaters : Originally posted by GlueGuyI... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120556#120556 Author: Motor7
Subject: 12557
Posted: 08 Feb 2019 at 5:13pm

Originally posted by GlueGuy

I know we've discussed it six ways from Sunday, but can I get a show of hands when the stock WH has run out of hot water for lack of capacity?

I think you might be missing my point. It's more about saving space and weight, not for shower time longevity................
]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2019 17:13:25 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120556#120556 Tankless propane hot water heaters : Never ran out, not even close.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120550#120550 Author: offgrid
Subject: 12557
Posted: 08 Feb 2019 at 3:17pm

Never ran out, not even close. ]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2019 15:17:19 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120550#120550 Tankless propane hot water heaters : Originally posted by GlueGuyI... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120549#120549 Author: furpod
Subject: 12557
Posted: 08 Feb 2019 at 3:11pm

Originally posted by GlueGuy

I know we've discussed it six ways from Sunday, but can I get a show of hands when the stock WH has run out of hot water for lack of capacity?


When on FHU's, we have.. It takes a while, and I am not sure it can be done unless you just leave the water on the whole time. But we don't. Almost always have the WH on both elec and gas..

Heck, we don't usually do that at home. (leave the water running the whole time) We are on a septic tank, I try to keep our water use down a bit when we can.
]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2019 15:11:12 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120549#120549 Tankless propane hot water heaters : No Hollywood showers in the Pod.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120547#120547 Author: lostagain
Subject: 12557
Posted: 08 Feb 2019 at 2:34pm

No Hollywood showers in the Pod.  Only mariner's showers.  Get a little wet, wash the essentials, quickly rinse.  Use about couple gallons of water.  Hair washing takes about half of that (short hair, long is way more complicated).  When I had my Newport 30 I uses one of those portable shower bags that held <5 gal.  It was plenty for two showers, with no mixing in cold.]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2019 14:34:44 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120547#120547 Tankless propane hot water heaters : I know we&#039;ve discussed it... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120533#120533 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 12557
Posted: 08 Feb 2019 at 9:30am

I know we've discussed it six ways from Sunday, but can I get a show of hands when the stock WH has run out of hot water for lack of capacity?]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2019 09:30:24 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120533#120533 Tankless propane hot water heaters : Seems to me with a limited water... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120529#120529 Author: lostagain
Subject: 12557
Posted: 08 Feb 2019 at 5:50am

Seems to me with a limited water supply, a limited gray water tank, and venting requirements, they are not very practical for a small travel trailer unless you're only at full hookup sites.  I suppose you could mount it outside the trailer, but you're inviting a whole host of other problems in doing so.

I've been using one all week at my sister-in-law's and it works great.  I was looking at it the other day and thinking it would sure fit nicely in the trailer since it's about 8" deep, 14" wide, and 18" high but it's really set up for a wall mount hand has to have free space above it to let the hot combustion gases out.  In the limited space of a Pod that's complicated, you have to pass through a gallon or two before the water gets hot, and you have to have continuous flow to keep it hot.  But for taking a nice hot shower it works well.
]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2019 05:50:17 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120529#120529 Tankless propane hot water heaters : I did a lot of research into... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120527#120527 Author: woodanator
Subject: 12557
Posted: 08 Feb 2019 at 4:14am

I did a lot of research into tankless water heaters and came to the conclusion; not yet. I continue to research and think they are very expensive and not fool proof yet. Expense not only in initial purchase, but much 'fine tuning' and repair needed. Add to that the fact that an RV moves and bounces down the road, varying water pressure, etc. and I just think they need more engineering and reliability to make it worth the investment.
__________________]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2019 04:14:12 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120527#120527 Tankless propane hot water heaters : Originally posted by Tars... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120016#120016 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 12557
Posted: 26 Jan 2019 at 9:37am

Originally posted by Tars Tarkas

I don't think there can be much savings of propane with a tankless heater, especially as others have mentioned, since a lot of people only use it at all a few weeks out of the year.  The WH in the Pod just doesn't use all that much propane in the first place.
That's where I'm at. We use a tiny amount of hot water a couple times a day. The savings just aren't there, and may be debatable in the first place.]]> Sat, 26 Jan 2019 09:37:05 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120016#120016 Tankless propane hot water heaters : I&#039;m pretty sure in roughly... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120014#120014 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 12557
Posted: 26 Jan 2019 at 9:17am

I'm pretty sure in roughly 6 years if camping with the Pod I've only had hookups that included sewer twice.  (That's my style and I understand others' experience may be a lot different.)  Anyway, the point is, why have unlimited hot water if you only have a 30 gallon gray tank to put it in?

We leave the water heater on when we camp for a week.  I hear it come on very occasionally -- unless we're taking showers (actually using the hot water) -- I don't think there can be much savings of propane with a tankless heater, especially as others have mentioned, since a lot of people only use it at all a few weeks out of the year.  The WH in the Pod just doesn't use all that much propane in the first place.
]]> Sat, 26 Jan 2019 09:17:34 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120014#120014 Tankless propane hot water heaters : I looked at the for about 10 mins... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120010#120010 Author: mcarter
Subject: 12557
Posted: 26 Jan 2019 at 8:53am

I looked at the for about 10 mins one day, then moved on. Lot of difference between tankless in house and tankless in a camper, especially when boondocking. The OP was about propane powered.]]> Sat, 26 Jan 2019 08:53:37 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=120010#120010 Tankless propane hot water heaters : It has been two years since we... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=119997#119997 Author: Richand Cindy
Subject: 12557
Posted: 25 Jan 2019 at 10:12pm

It has been two years since we researched tankless water heaters but at the time the Girard's had very poor reviews.  Unless they improved them it is not worth looking into. Truma is the best but more than double the price.  But as others have stated I think current water heaters are more than sufficient for an RPOD and tankless is not ready for prime time yet
]]> Fri, 25 Jan 2019 22:12:27 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=119997#119997 Tankless propane hot water heaters : Here&#039;s a tankless propane... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=119989#119989 Author: offgrid
Subject: 12557
Posted: 25 Jan 2019 at 10:11am

Here's a tankless propane unit for $460. Not too bad.  I like the combi comfort idea the best but not for that much $$$. If that one was $400 I'd consider it, it would get rid of the noise from the existing furnace too. 


Or get this electric one for $200. Only weighs 5 lbs and is 12x10x4 inches, so just add it to your system. Then you can shower all day on the campground's dime Tongue. i have a larger Ecosmart at home, works great. 


https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-appliances/rv-water-heaters/rv-water-heaters/rv-tankless-water-heater-girard-gswh2_42.3250?gclid=Cj0KCQiAhKviBRCNARIsAAGZ7CfE7FsRwydU7RBhv9mCPpJ33IUJHsou1FYevucYQGmdMXhkd9Q7UUwaAraKEALw_wcB

https://www.amazon.com/EcoSmart-Electric-Tankless-Modulating-Technology/dp/B00529DDUI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1548432011&sr=8-3&keywords=tankless+water+heater+electric+8kw

]]> Fri, 25 Jan 2019 10:11:13 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=119989#119989 Tankless propane hot water heaters : My main point in these is size... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=119987#119987 Author: Motor7
Subject: 12557
Posted: 25 Jan 2019 at 9:26am

My main point in these is size and weight. Long hot showers for the lightweight camper crowd is few and I agree that a $1K price tag for a combi unit is too much(now). As price comes down I predict that tanked water heaters in rv's and trailers will go extinct. It's kind of exciting with tankless and battery/solar technology advancing along with cost effective prices....the future looks promising.  ]]> Fri, 25 Jan 2019 09:26:58 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=119987#119987 Tankless propane hot water heaters : I took a look at the Truma product... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=119983#119983 Author: offgrid
Subject: 12557
Posted: 25 Jan 2019 at 5:53am

I took a look at the Truma product line. The Truma Aquaglo is a 60k btu/hr unit so it would provide hot water indefinitely until you run out of propane. It is not strictly tankless but close (it has a tiny 0.35 gal buffer tank). Weight is 34 lbs plus water at 3 lbs = 37 lbs.

The Truma Combi Eco plus is only 7500 btu/hr on propane and has a 2.6 gal tank. Weight is 37 lbs plus water at 21 lbs = 58 lbs. 

The Suburban water heater in the rPods is 12000 btu/hr and has a 6 gal tank. Weight is 33 lbs plus water at 50 lbs = 85 lbs. 

So, I would definitely not recommend changing from the Suburban to the Truma Combi Eco plus if your objective was longer showers. You wouldn't be happy. 

For a boondocker the Combi Eco Plus is interesting, a couple gallons of hot water would be fine for me. But it's big claim to fame is that it also heats the RV, for which it uses the same propane heat source of 7500 BTU/hr. Compare that to the Rpod heater at 20kbtu/hr. I don't think that would be anywhere near adequate for 3 seasons camping use in an rPod.

There is one more Truma unit, the Combi Comfort plus, which uses the same 2.6 gal tank but has a 20.4kbtu/hr heat rating. That one looks like it might be a good choice for a boondocker. Weight is the same as the Eco plus. You'd save the weight of both the existing water heater and furnace. Total weight saving would be about 50 lbs. That's significant. But is it worth the $1000+ price tag? Not to me...

It would still not be a good choice for someone looking for a "tankless" unit for long showers. You're going to need more than 20kbtu/hr for that. A low flow 1 gpm shower starting with 50 degree water would need about 30kbth/hr.

I do think one of the little electric tankless units could work great for the long shower enthusiast who has access to full hookups with a 50A service. In thinking about it more, you wouldn't need to remove your existing water heater. The electric tankless units are tiny and light so the added weight isn't worth worrying about.  Just plumb the electric tankless in series after the suburban one and use the existing wall switch to turn on the suburban when you wanted it. If you have 50A hooked up and the suburban off the tankless electric would do the work, and you would be using the campground electricity, not your propane. 
]]> Fri, 25 Jan 2019 05:53:22 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=119983#119983 Tankless propane hot water heaters : The only benefit in an RV from... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12557&PID=119978#119978 Author: offgrid
Subject: 12557
Posted: 24 Jan 2019 at 6:02pm

The only benefit in an RV from going tankless is to not run out of hot water. Unless you are a full timer, you're never going to recoup your investment by saving propane, if you save any at all. 

Mixing 130 degree water from your water heater with say 60 degree water from your fresh water tank you'll be at about a 60/40 mixture to obtain normal shower temperatures. So, to run out of hot water you would be using about 10 gallons of fresh water taking a shower. That's 1/3 of your fresh and gray water tank capacity before you'd need to think about having a tankless system. No one is going to do that boondocking or even in cases when you have partial hookups. For myself, if I use more than gallon of water taking a shower while camping I'd be surprised. 

If you have full hookups you could do it, but I would think you could also just as easily go use a campground shower in that case. If you only camp with full hookups and you really wanted an infinite supply of hot water you could consider removing your gas water heater and installing an electric tankless one. They're really small, only weigh a few pounds, give you very precise temp control, are faster to turn on than the gas ones, and have minimal clearance requirements and no flue and ventilation requirements. You would need a 50A service to run one. I use an electric tankless at home and I can control the water temp to 1 degree of accuracy, which is why I love it so much. 

 
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