|
10-23-2020, 07:50 AM
|
#1
|
1 Rivet Member
Louisville
, Kentucky
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 12
|
Patch for hot water heater
I'm in the middle of gutting the interior of our Argosy, which includes removing all the old plumbing, electric, and appliances.
I noticed that the hot water heater itself is bolted directly to the exterior skin. Once removed, there's basically just a giant hole in the side. I was hoping to go tankless when we restore, so I wouldn't be just replacing in the same spot, but not sure the best way to patch this hole.
Are there kits or anything available to do this? Will I just have to rivet an aluminum sheet to cover the hole? If so, is there a certain kind of sheet I'll have to get so I can paint it?
|
|
|
10-23-2020, 09:45 AM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,095
|
Since I do not like tankless water heaters my suggestion is to just go back with a new tanked water heater.
|
|
|
10-23-2020, 11:22 AM
|
#3
|
Moderator
Vintage Kin Owner
...
, ...
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,696
|
If you go the tankless route you’ll likely need to patch the hole unless something like the Girard unit would bolt directly into the existing opening.
The other option would be to install the old water heater cover over the existing hole thereby mimicking the original appearance. You’d have to form some framework, but the effort shouldn’t be extensive, and you’d still have the original exterior appearance.
Otherwise I think you’re looking at a simple patch. Patches are fairly common and go largely unnoticed if installed properly.
Best of luck,
Kevin
__________________
"One of the best lessons I've learned is that you don't worry about criticism from people you wouldn't seek advice from."
William C. Swinney
|
|
|
10-23-2020, 08:27 PM
|
#4
|
1 Rivet Member
Louisville
, Kentucky
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 12
|
Any reason in particular you don’t like tankless in an Airstream? I figure tankless is considered top of the line for residential, but I’d be curious what the specific considerations I’d need to make for an RV.
|
|
|
10-24-2020, 07:52 AM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,095
|
I had an early tankless residential. Poor control at low flow and the unit burned out twice For RV I just find that the 6 gallon Atwood does a fine job for me. I run it a little while in the morning and a little while at night. Have warm to hot water avaliable all day like when we stop for lunch. So the low flow temperature control worries me and I think the on demand may actually use more propane. To me a RV is just different than residential and well suited to the conventional little water heater. There is just not enough total use of energy for any percentage savings to mean much. So it comes down to convenience for the usage.
|
|
|
10-24-2020, 09:33 AM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
|
I use a PrecisionTemp 500 series. SWMBO loves long hot showers, and the 6 gallon Atwood wasn’t handling it. She’s happy and the peace and quiet is priceless.
Have a Bosch tankless at home. Ditto.
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
|
|
|
10-24-2020, 12:24 PM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
1973 21' Globetrotter
1975 26' Argosy 26
Vista
, California
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 589
|
Yes you need to rivet a new piece of aluminum over the hole. Easy to find the supplies on the internet. I like “Aircraft Spruce” very fast shipping. Just cut to size round the corners a little, measure and drill holes on your patch first, so you have nice straight evenly spaced rivet lines, then use Olympic rivets to install. I don’t like tankless as well, I moved my water heater next to the kitchen sink, since that’s where we use hot water the most often. Saves water, and it fits our floor plan.
|
|
|
10-24-2020, 03:17 PM
|
#8
|
:SPACE A" S/O 11 Air19745
2006 34' Classic S/O
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,766
|
If you install a Precission Temp tankless heater it will fit the same cutout with some trimming. I have had mine for 3 1/2 years and it is flawless. The only mandatory requirements for operation are propane, 12v, and water flow of 1/2 rpm. Be sure your water system faucet screens and pump are up to that amount of flow. Really, no different from the tank heaters except for minimum flow. It does save on propane and water.
guskmg
|
|
|
10-24-2020, 05:11 PM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
|
Yup. I had to trim only about 3/8” at the top of the opening. Do not forget to support the bottom back edge of the enclosure with a appropriate block to keep the enclosure from bending. Also seal op all the seams in the enclosure with aluminum faced duct tape to prevent air leaks.
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
|
|
|
02-15-2023, 12:34 PM
|
#10
|
New Member
1985 34' Excella
Taylors
, South Carolina
Join Date: Feb 2023
Posts: 1
|
Hi. I have a 1985 34' Excella. My hot water tank has a crack in it. Someone suggested taking it to a welder to get it patched. It is so hard to find a replacement tank for it. My fiance normally handles this stuff but he has a brain tumor and can't function well.
Do you have any advice??
|
|
|
02-15-2023, 02:45 PM
|
#11
|
Site Team
1994 25' Excella
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 5,503
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by catbar
Hi. I have a 1985 34' Excella. My hot water tank has a crack in it. Someone suggested taking it to a welder to get it patched. It is so hard to find a replacement tank for it. My fiance normally handles this stuff but he has a brain tumor and can't function well.
Do you have any advice??
|
If you have the original water heater with a 6-gal tank, here's a possibility for a replacement:
https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Atwoo...-p/42-0315.htm
Depending on the condition of your current tank it might be possible to get it welded, but it's likely an aluminum tank and aluminum welding is a specialized thing that not every welder does. Also, if the tank is leaking that might mean that the metal is corroded/thinned and not suitable for repair.
__________________
Richard
11018
1994 Excella 25 Follow the build on Gertie!
1999 Suburban LS 2500 w/7.4L V8
1974 GMC 4108a - Custom Coach Land Cruiser (Sold)
|
|
|
02-16-2023, 06:45 AM
|
#12
|
"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill M.
Since I do not like tankless water heaters my suggestion is to just go back with a new tanked water heater.
|
THIS...
If it ain't broke...fix it 'til it is.
Bob
🇺🇸
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|