If I may pass this on..
Before I refurbished my water heater last year, I had also thougth about replacing it with a newer concept.
My requirements were similar to yours, it had to have constant flow water heated on demand, etc.
Let me share with you the benefits of my research.
The big thing for me is being able to use the unit year round. A 45 degree increase in water temp in the winter in many climates means a full hot shower will be 78 degree water at the lowest, or up to 85-88 if you are lucky. Too cold for me and I like cool showers. The other issue is actual germ killing power of the minimally heated water when it comes to washing dishes, etc.
Also consider the operating needs of the heater and the water source that will be fed thru it. With a tanked heater there is the ability to flush out sediments and scale. I do not know if that is possible here.
The base model can give a 90 degree rise in water temps if the flow is .6 GPM Means a trickle shower, or navy shower to get the hottest water, but it would work. I would test the flow rate on the shower head or look to get a really low flow one so the GPM is in the .8 GPM range. But that is just me.
The thing to remember when looking at a shower head is that with the in line restrictor in place the unit will comply with the 2.5 GPM federal law at 80 PSI. You will be a 35-40 PSI so you would have 1.25 GPM flow.
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Brett G
WBCCI #5501 AIR # 49
"Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey." -- Fitzhugh Mullan
Wise men talk because they have someting to say; fools, because they have to say something. -- Plato
In politics, absurdity is not a handicap— Napoleon
pierre Thanks, that was very intersting`~..To answer your question, No..I haven't given up on the RV500..But, for now, as long as the original unit works..I'll use it..I know it's just a question of time. When that happens, I'll be giving them a call..I'm quite impressed with their product and, the way they handle all the question over the fone..
Price wise, it's more expensive but..I think you'll agree that the advantages outweighs the cost factor.
When my water heater bit the dust, I was going to get the RV500. P.O. did not believe in sacraficial anode. However the RV500 will not fit in the same space as a six gallon water heater. It takes the same space as a ten gallon water heater.
Diesel...
I just saw that~How did I miss that simple fact? lol
Quote:
In almost all instances it will. The RV-500 mounting flange is designed to perfectly replace a common ten gallon tank heater. To replace a six gallon heater, a few inches must be added to the vertical dimension. This can be cut up or down.
Hmmm, I need to get back with them with a few more "pointed" question..
Thanks..
ciao
Some years ago, I bought a tankless heater. When I added a laundry room on to my house at the far end from the gas water heater, I installed the tankless heater to service the washing machine. I found that it took about 15 minutes to fill the washer to get water hot enough.
I then bought a second tankless heater to put in series with the first. I ended up selling the house before I installed it.
I later gave the second heater to a friend who was building a straw-bale house. She put a solar collector on the roof and the tankless heater in series. With the pre-warmed water, she was very pleased with the performance.
My opinion is that for most of the year you will not get a decent shower from one of these heaters unless the water is pre-warmed. Even getting a good flow to do such things as rinse dishes with good hot water will be a problem.
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John W. Irwin
2005 Classic 28 "Sabre-Dog III"
2004 Silverado 2500HD Duramax/Allison
WBCCI Region 9 Webmaster, #9632
My brother works in energy managment... the companies that go out to homes and businesses, do thermal studies, design energy plans, etc. They don't recommend tankless water heaters for Americans anymore because they've seen too many people unsatisfied with the lower temperatures at higher flow rates.
I'd stick to the 6 gallon gas/electric Atwood. We don't fire ours up until about 1/2 hour before we wash dishes and shower, and shut it off before the last shower (mine ), so it isn't heating water that will be left there to cool down. Unless the temperature is going to drop below freezing, when we leave it running because it's DSI. Those with traditional pilot lights seem to be able to get by without freezing by just running the pilot light.
I think the advantage of the tankless water heater is that you can take as long a shower as you like without running out of hot water half way through. The 45° temp rise is not really a limit, the heater will heat to whatever temperature is set, but at a lower flow rate.
Question: does it make sense to put in a small (maybe 1 gallon) heater just to handle hand-washing, and a tankless heater to handle showers and laundry?
Markdoann-
Doesn't seem to make sense to me to install TWO h2o heaters..... Do what I do for washing up, dishes, etc..... I use my electric six quart roaster..... fill it with cold water, let it heat, use that for dishes and washing. You'd be amazed how far six quarts of water will go! We only light the big heater for showers! And those are rare..... we're ummm, big people and so prefer to use truck stops or other facilities for showering.
Elizabeth in Iowa
__________________ The carpeting is gone! The carpeting is gone! Long live the cork floor!
I guess installing one of these would be considered a "tankless task"!
lmao, that's funny...
It's interesting to read the pros and cons, all of which are valid points.
One of the biggest drawbacks would be the extra cost, then the "modification" to the current opening. (As I see it.)
As markdoane pointed out,
Quote:
I think the advantage of the tankless water heater is that you can take as long a shower as you like without running out of hot water half way through.
This would be the biggest advantage and, one that would make for a happy camping family`.
Markdoane, your question about having a small one just for washing your hands, etc makes more sense as I'm incline to wanting the outside of my unit to be kept as it is.
Has anyone heard/seen one of these water heater as an installed unit in a motorhome? RoadKingMoe I was under the impression that these water heaters had an adjustable water temp range..makes sense that they would. Again, back to the books on spec.
The whole point of this is about choices and, being able to make the right decision when it comes time to replace a faulty unit.
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Tankless water heater
Just abit of info
more info
Intersting info.
You're right~
), so it isn't heating water that will be left there to cool down. Unless the temperature is going to drop below freezing, when we leave it running because it's DSI. Those with traditional pilot lights seem to be able to get by without freezing by just running the pilot light.
The carpeting is gone! The carpeting is gone! Long live the cork floor!
Not ever...
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