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Silverflames · 10-31-2012, 02:23 PM

The outside walls of an AS are not dead straight up. I had to shim the heater a bit to get it to set level on the floor. I questioned how important it really is, but I figured better be safe than sorry.

NJtoNC · 11-04-2012, 08:26 AM

thanks for this. im strongly considering a girard HW heater. i was hoping you could give me your option. I currently have a macy water heater installed under the sink and vented to the (furnace) exhaust opening. (we have no furnace).

the macy is a POS and didn't work well from day 1. after a freeze it totally busted and needs to be replaced.

I want to vent this girard out the furnace exhaust.

The install instructions are pretty lame -

http://greenrvproducts.com/wp-conten...ER-GSWH-1M.pdf

it looks like the black circular bit in the photo vents outside, judging from the hole in the [Girard water heater] door.

Silverflames · 11-04-2012, 09:41 AM

I guess I could be modified, it was not designed to be used that way. Yes the grey tube sticking out is the exhaust pipe. Behind that is a blower that forces the exhaust out. But it also
Pulls in a bunch of air to feed the burner. So would need to make sure you have plenty of air supply. I think the door has about a 3x4 worth of openings on the door. From fooling around with it, if the burner is on with out the blower, the flames come rolling out the bottom of the burner. So you gotta have the air flow.

It will be easer to winterize, but you will still need to blow it out or add anti freeze.

Silverhobby · 11-04-2012, 11:00 AM

I do hope the newer model is less of a problem to regulate in temperature. The earlier models required 50 PSI of water to operate.

Silverflames · 11-04-2012, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverhobby

I do hope the newer model is less of a problem to regulate in temperature. The earlier models required 50 PSI of water to operate.

It looks like it requires less water flow to turn on. Also with the dial you have a much larger range to adjust the heat.

arktos55343 · 11-04-2012, 07:18 PM

Fortunately, my Girard 1M arrived from PPL in good shape (no gorilla delivery). I'm looking forward to installing it in my '72 Trade Wind.

Silverflames · 11-12-2012, 09:47 PM

I installed the replacement unit, it's amazing, with no shipping damage, it fired right up and ran great. My incoming water temp is about 75 degrees, so it was limiting at full temp, but turned down it ran great. Here is a pic of the burners fired up.

timzog · 11-12-2012, 10:35 PM

Thanks for keeping us posted on this. I've seen the updated Girard units for about $550 so I look forward to hearing more about your progress. If it works well, it would be very tempting. You have to go somewhere cold, please, so that we can hear about the full range of incoming water temps.
Tim

Silverflames · 11-13-2012, 09:33 AM

I think the max temp rise is 70 degrees. So if your incoming water is 40 degrees it will raise the temp to 110.

timzog · 11-13-2012, 11:11 AM

Also, I've read a lot of posts where people say that the water comes out too hot no matter what. Is that only if the flow is too low? Do you think it will work for low flow showerheads or if you are trying to conserve water while boondocking?
Thanks!
Tim

crispyboy · 11-13-2012, 11:51 AM

One question I have always had about the tankless water heater is how much water is wasted before you actually get hot water from the tap? Grey tank storage is limited!

Silverflames · 11-14-2012, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timzog

Also, I've read a lot of posts where people say that the water comes out too hot no matter what. Is that only if the flow is too low? Do you think it will work for low flow showerheads or if you are trying to conserve water while boondocking?
Thanks!
Tim

The heater needs at least 1-1.5 gpm to turn on, but I think that number is lower with the new unit. When the water stops flowing the burner shuts off. Once you fill your lines form the heater to the shower head, you should be able to do a navy shower. My tub and shower is not installed yet, so I can't speak from experience but from watching the unit work it should. My kitchen sink faucet is a 1.5 gpm (max) unit, and the heater turns on when I have the hot water turned half way on. How low flow, I'm not quite sure, but it seemed less than 1 gpm.

Silverflames · 11-14-2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crispyboy

One question I have always had about the tankless water heater is how much water is wasted before you actually get hot water from the tap? Grey tank storage is limited!

You still have to void the line of the cold water. So it would depend on how long that pipe is and how large the pipe is. It heats the water seconds after you turn on the hot water.

Silverflames · 05-25-2013, 09:18 PM

Just a quick update. This is about the third camping trip out. Unit is working great for what we need, just running the kitchen faucet off of it. Went to fire it up and the blower sounded like a mad man!! Upon closer review it appears that a mud dauber but a nest on the fan. One screw and a few mins with a metal ruler I was able to clean the fan. Now it runs great. I will find either a cap or a screen to cover the exhaust pipe. Now for the mice....

Silverflames · 03-16-2014, 08:13 PM

Well I just wanted to give an update on this on demand hot water heater. So far so good. Works really well. No problems so far expect the mud dauber nest. We have been out about a half dozen times, and have done nothing to it. It just runs great.

I insulated the hot water lines so this seems to help keep the water hot in the lines.

The only down side I see is that every time you try on the hot water the blower kicks on and runs for a min or two. If you were boon docking that may be a consideration.

Other wise a big thumbs up!

J. Morgan · 03-16-2014, 08:57 PM

Would it be bad if I installed a residential tankless water heater?

Silverflames · 03-16-2014, 09:03 PM

I thought about that, but the electric ones draw a lot of Amps. I live and camp mostly in Fl so AC trumps hot water. I guess a propane home model vented correctly would work. The blower motor would have to work on AC and DC if you were planning on boon docking. If you were always at camp grounds where you can plug in not a big deal.