On Demand Water Heat???

[shermantic]

I am looking to Upgrade from the Suburban 6 gallon Water Heater (LP Eater) To a On Demand Water Heater. Anyone have any experience in this area?

[J. Morgan]

My experience is limited to a residential unit installed in my Sovereign. It works well, but does not work with 12 volt, I run it on an inverter.

[Bill M.]

I personally would not consider it an upgrade based on my experience with a residential on demand unit.

[J. Morgan]

I wouldn't want one in a residence, but in a trailer not running out of hot water after 6 or 12 gallons is a bonus.

Mine has been in my trailer for over a year and has thus far proven reliable enough.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

My experience is limited to a residential unit installed in my Sovereign. It works well, but does not work with 12 volt, I run it on an inverter.

Does it heat the water with the inverter output, or does it just use the 120 vac for control voltage and heat the water with propane?

Ken

[J. Morgan]

It just uses the 120 for control, it heats with propane. The one I bought claims 6 gpm, and requires a 3/4" gas line.

There is a 3 gpm unit on Overstock.com for less than $300 with good reviews.

(Ecotemp)

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

It just uses the 120 for control, it heats with propane. The one I bought claims 6 gpm, and requires a 3/4" gas line.

There is a 3 gpm unit on Overstock.com for less than $300 with good reviews.

(Ecotemp)

Here's a 1.4 gpm for $130. I have no idea how many gpm is required to, for instance, take a shower.

Portable Tankless Propane Water Heater | Overstock™ Shopping - Big Discounts on Eccotemp Water Heaters

Ken

[switz]

There are reduced flow shower heads from third parties for Airstreams. I would think the minimum flow one would need to be 3 gpm for a shower. We have a 7.5 fpm unit at the house with 1.25" pipe to the unit for natural gas flow and then 0.75" into the heater.

The shower heads have a gpm rating.

Here is an example that one sees at Camping World in chrome rated at 2 fpm:

http://oxygenics.com/products/bodysp...th-smartpause/

[shermantic]

Anoyone have knowledge of RV Style On Demand Hot Water Heaters Such as the Atwood?

Atwood on-demand water heaters are available in 45,000 and 50,000 btu models. These water heaters provide a continuous hot water experience similar to that in your home, but are designed specifically for RVs. Ultra high output burners are powerful enough to instantly heat and let you enjoy a full flow of continuous hot water. To operate, simply turn on the hot water all the way and then mix in cold to reach your desired temperature. The tankless design not only saves weight, but also saves energy by only using power when hot water is demanded. Flex-fit flanges allow for an easy fit into the existing opening for most brands and sizes of RV tank or tankless water heaters. Door sold separately.

[Silverflames]

I have and installed a girard on demand hot water heater, with the adjustable temp knob. Works pretty good so far. I did a review on it in the past on the this forum. Atwood also has one, but it is more $.

If you are a full hook up camper then it works great, if your a boon docker, the flow rate requirement is not great. But if you have full hook up it's not a problem.

So the stats..

12vt power to fire up the gas

Runs on propane

3/8 line required, if my memory is correct.


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[shermantic]

Originally Posted by Silverflames

I have and installed a girard on demand hot water heater, with the adjustable temp knob. Works pretty good so far. I did a review on it in the past on the this forum. Atwood also has one, but it is more $.

If you are a full hook up camper then it works great, if your a boon docker, the flow rate requirement is not great. But if you have full hook up it's not a problem.

So the stats..

12vt power to fire up the gas

Runs on propane

3/8 line required, if my memory is correct.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

You say flow rate not great? Does that mean when on (Tank) water that it doesn't heat well or slows the flow even more so?

[Silverflames]

To heat the water, there needs to be enough water running through the pipe to fire it up (flow rate.). With the adjustable knob that the newer unit has it helps out quite a bit. I think the required flow rate is 1.4 gal per min. So far the Garard has been working great for us.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[switz]

In the UK, we have on demand heaters at each shower (their electric power is much different that ours). The way the temperature is regulated is by a water flow control valve. The element (or the gas burner in the trailer models under discussion) produces a fixed amount of BTUs of heat, slower water flow, hotter water. Slower means less pressure hitting you in the face.

[J. Morgan]

The burner on my unit is variable over a wide range.

I don't know what the low limit is, but it is low enough that I can comfortably shower on the pump.

[batman]

When we resurrected our 64 Safari. I installed a Twin Temp Junior from Precision Temp. It does both hydronic space heat and (on demand hot water). It is fantastic in both regards. The wife likes long showers, or baths and we have never ran out of hot water. Great for booney camping also. Shermantic, For your application Precision Temp also has stand alone (on demand) tankless water heating systems that are either floor vented or wall vented units. URL, PrecisionTemp - Tankless Hot Water and Heaters for RVs, Boats and More. I hear Aqua Hot is also a very good product and Atwood has been around for a long time. I suggest doing some research. Precision Temp is made in the US and there customer service is great. I had a question on a Sunday so I called and left a VM and got a call back in 10 minutes, by the design engineer. Who does that now days? Best of luck with your search.

-Dennis