Does anyone know if there are tankless water heaters for RVs, and if so do they work... and why aren't they standard equipment if they do? I know that the technology exists for home water heaters (Rinnai for example). They only turn on when you turn on the hot water, and you have a limitless supply of hot water (in a home... in an RV you'd be limited by your fresh water tank capacity of course).
If anybody has run into one of these in an RV, I'd sure like to hear about your experiences with it, pros and cons.
I don't have an rv yet but this looks interesting.
Takadare said
11:27 PM Oct 12, 2006
I have been looking into a Tankless waterheating applications also. I have found this product through my research http://www.precisiontemp.com/ (you'll have to copy and paste into your browser).
I haven't priced them yet but I think they run in the $700 range. From what I have been reading they last longer than conventional water heaters...
Good luck and let us know if you find anymore products out there...
Tom
Tim & Robyn said
06:09 AM Jan 8, 2007
I looked at the PrecisionTemp website, and I haven't found any others out there yet. I've also found that Teton offers them as an option, but the price !! $1500, or something like that??? The heater itself only costs around $500 or so... oh well, I guess that's why you have to negotiate when purchasing (I hate that)...
Anyway, I really like the idea of one of these things, although I guess you'd have to be careful about taking those lingering showers - could run up the propane bill pretty quickly. I wonder though, how many of you turn off your standard RV water heater when you're set up in camp? Do you ever forget to turn it off? But wait, most of them are a combination of propane/electric, aren't they?
When we hit the road, it will be as fulltimers, with as many creature comforts/conveniences as possible.
Tim & Robyn
Luvglass said
07:35 AM Jan 8, 2007
Hi,
The only time we turn off the water heater is when we are traveling. It's always on when we are camped.
We seem to get along well with the standard 10 gallon gas/electric heater, there's never a problem with not enough hot water for showers or dish washing.
We were also pleasently surprised to find the anode still good after 11 months use, when we had it checked last week when we were at a Carriage dealer for some warranty work.
Fred
dreamjosie said
10:31 AM Jan 8, 2007
I know my better half (Fred/luvglass) said we get along fine with the standard 10 gallon water heater, and he's right to a point. I can tell you though, that if we had the "on-demand" tankless water heater, I would take longer more luxurious showers without worrying that I was using all the hot water and not saving any for him.
So if money were no object, I would get the tankless.
jomago said
12:31 PM Jan 8, 2007
Gee Fred aren't you glad that a good union is a matter of give and take between partners.
I believe I would also start putting the "T" seat down after use. Know it was one of the things that my "bride" appreciated.
I do know that a nieghbor put a tankless in the stick house and were very happy. Although the actual price of the unit was more than a regular water heater, they thought it was a great addition. Althought they advised there is/was a difference in available units and they had gone to a foreign make that had a better recommendation. Got to peruse my information to find out what make. Being I'm going to replace some of the 53 year old water pipes, I'm going to replumb for the tankless heater.
Tim & Robyn said
02:34 PM Jan 8, 2007
The PrecisionTemp 500 is only for RVs. I've also heard about the Rinnai tankless water heaters for home use. According to the PrecisionTemp website their tank fits in the space occupied by the conventional 10gal RV water heater. I don't know about in an RV, but in a home environment I can certainly see how it would save money over the long haul... water is heated only when you need it - it doesn't waste energy keeping water in the tank hot when you're not using it. Either way, I certainly expect to be more conscious of water conservation when we get out there... I just don't want to run out of hot water in the middle of a shower if I can help it. That's one creature comfort I'd like to take with us from the stick house if there's a solution out there on the market, and it appears that there is one.
Best regards, and a belated Happy New Year to everyone!
Tim Fansler
wmalefyt said
05:47 PM Jan 8, 2007
I have to agree with Fred. Our 10 gal water heater is more than enough for the two of us taking showers and washing dishes. We don't have a washing machine so I guess that's a factor as well.
I find that our water heater recovers very quickly, after all you're only heating up 10 gallons at a time, not 40 like at home. So even if you use all the hot water taking that long shower, it won't take long to have another 10 gallons of hot water available.
Luvglass said
08:08 PM Jan 8, 2007
Hah, I've been putting the seat down since the day I met her, and it's still not enough, now she wants more water.
I've read on other forums, that the RV version of the tankless heater isn't as good as the home version due to 110V vs 220V. Makes sense if true.
Fred
-- Edited by Luvglass at 21:09, 2007-01-08
dreamjosie said
11:49 PM Jan 8, 2007
Not only does he put the seat down, he closes the lid! That's my sweetie.
jomago said
04:32 PM Jan 9, 2007
Jo- it appears Fred is a real "keeper" so take good care of him so he'll last a long time.
dreamjosie said
07:27 PM Jan 9, 2007
That's for sure! And I do try. He's one in a million. How did I get this lucky?
Howard said
09:46 AM Jan 10, 2007
Tim,
Somewhere back there in this thread was a question about leaving the water heater on when parked. We NEVER leave ours on. I don't know if I have a good reason, but I figure the fewer things turned on that can get really hot, the better. It's just a peace of mind thing when we are away from the rig.
We just flip on the electric water heater switch about 20 minutes before needing hot water. If we need it a few minutes faster, we use the propane. Of course we use the propane if we don't have electric.
A tankless water heater would be a nice feature to have, but it is far from the top of the priority list for us.
Howard (another toilet seat/lid putter-downer - but that's a whole different topic and thread)
wmalefyt said
10:39 AM Jan 10, 2007
Same with us Howard. As I stated earlier it doesn't take long to heat up 10 gallons!
-- Edited by wmalefyt at 11:40, 2007-01-10
Tmcblane said
06:04 PM Jan 10, 2007
I'm considering installing a tankless for 2 reasons, 1 is unlimited hot water and 2 is the saving of maintenance in flushing and cleaning the tank. If you are thinking it is not important and have not done it, I dare you to go pull the plug and witness the disgusting stuff that will come out of your heater! :) Make sure you shut off the water before pulling the plug and turn heater off.
Luvglass said
11:35 PM Jan 10, 2007
Hi,
We just had ours checked by a dealer because we've been out about a year now and I've frequently read the anode should be changed yearly. He was surprised to see very little grit come out and the anode was still half usable. He estimated it to last another year at least.
We've been in 26 states already, so I think we should have experienced the full range of water quality. And we leave it on all the time. It's only off when we tow.
Boy, that's a big socket you need to check it.
Fred
jomago said
02:36 AM Jan 11, 2007
Our anode gets replaced about every 3 years. It still looks like it would go another year each time. But when the mechanic we use gets it out, he just replaces it. One reason it lasted so long for us is most all of the CG's we visit have sweet water (very soft). I replace the charcoal cartridge in the whole house omni water filter several times a year. Went home for about 2 months several years ago for some medical work and didn't drain the water filter. When we got back out on the road, the water was black in the whole system. Spent the first day flushing the system and installing a new filter. Seems the sweet water broke down the charcoal filter when left stored in the system for that period of time.
When (if) I get a new MH I'm going to have a reverse osmosis water system installed.
Only a 2" hole! that can fit through the floor if necessary.
Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Wednesday 30th of January 2013 02:44:09 PM
Cheddar Yeti Travels said
05:24 PM Jan 30, 2013
Tim & Robyn - We have also been looking into the Precision Temp RV 500 (Or RV 550). They're quite expensive but our new situation (we just got a vintage bus) calls for a different set up then our last Class C rv. The never ending HW sounds awesome and not having a tank on board is another perk. A good RV upgrade, we agree!!!!
So, before we had a 10 gal HW heater (LPG) and it was fine, we took military showers to conserve water thus, never coming close to running out of HOT water! :) Ha ha. This all worked fine for the Class C.
Now, with the bus, we have bigger everything BUT the original system was an electric only water heater (wow, crazy uh?). So where the old WH sat there is no option to vent a LPG water heater (expect down). We boondock so having a LPG WH is important to us. Luckly there are LPG lines there for a floor heater.
Now, back to the Precison Temp... We want it! Specifically, the RV550 that vents through the floor so we don't have to cut a whole in the side of our bus. We're ready to buy it... but we ARE NOT HANDY FOLKS. Uggg!!
THE ISSUE: We've called several instalation places (RV service places) and nobody seems to want to work with a TANKLESS set up, it's too 'new'??? Really?
So, before we buy it, I want to find someone to install it. The phones number on the Precision TEmp website go to personal message boxes, not business lines? Scary? I don't know. However I'm in New Jersey right now, maybe there are more qualitified techs in other states for this install?
Have you done any instalation research? What have you found? Are you going to DIY?
Terry and Jo said
05:52 PM Jan 30, 2013
Jeanette and Dennis,
This thread dates back to 2007. There have been changes in Tim's life since then, which I won't detail here, that has diminished his chances of RV'ing any time soon. It has been some time since he has been back to comment on the forums, but perhaps he is still reading on occasion. Hopefully, if he doesn't answer your questions, maybe someone else can.
Terry
Lucky Mike said
05:56 PM Jan 30, 2013
Having been in the HVAC/R industry , here are some service observations.......
When you clean your tank the debris and mineral buildup can be flushed from the system.....in a tank-less system it stays within the system and clogs the heat loop like a dirty radiator this causes internal corrosion or blockage .. some times the blockage can be cleared ,but a leak will require the core to be replaced...just in a simple repair its going to be costly not to mention finding a Tech that specializes in this system..
you do not save on propane or electric the cost is about even..
you get more hot-water but the maintenance costs are higher and they are not DIY
IMHO..........Bring your Visa....The look on your face when you get the bill.....Priceless!!!
bjoyce said
07:10 PM Jan 30, 2013
Richard, who can be found at http://map.datastormusers.com/user4.cfm?user=608, where there is an email link, has had an RV500 for many years and loves it. He posts often on the Escapees forum and I do now know him.
Cheddar Yeti Travels said
08:17 PM Jan 30, 2013
Terry, thanks for the heads up. My best well wishes go out to him and his family.
Lucky Mike, thanks for the information. Do you have a recommendation on a WH that vents through the floor or a 2" pipe instead of a large wall vent? Our current layout had an Electric WH, we'd like an LPG WH but the space doesn't have direct access to a wall. This unit the RV 550 NSP is the only option we've found. Still, we're open to others.
Cheddar Yeti Travels said
08:27 PM Jan 30, 2013
Thanks Bill! There's a guy with a Wanderlodge (like ours) who has installed one too... and is very happy with it. He's had his about 2-3 years now. Thanks for letting us know about another happy customer.
Our other options seem to require some major redesign of the under bed components/pipes and service. Uggg. So, although the cost of this one is a bit high for us, it seems the only reasonable choice we can find. Still on the hunt.
UPDATE: Found a service center willing to look at our set up and who has Installed a RV 500 unit. They're Custom Coach in Baltimore MD.
Lucky Mike said
08:53 PM Jan 30, 2013
looking at what you have your only options without throwing alot of money and labor would be using the Rv 500 or a 10 gallon ceramic LP/110 HWH(attwood)
Either way the hole will have to be cut to fit the unit unless an lp unit existed before..........so at that point it becomes a matter of preference and longevity
once the hole is cut it looks no different than any other HWH whether it be tank or tankless they both use the same cabinet dimensions
Lucky Mike said
09:09 PM Jan 30, 2013
Ok.......I had not seen that one yet........you have to drill 2 holes through the floor though you will need a 2 inch pvc combustion vent also for it to breath.
From what I read nice........this is some thing you can install yourself too.......if the gas line is available or you can do it yourself!!
Cheddar Yeti Travels said
01:13 AM Jan 31, 2013
Lucky Mike - I'm sure I can START the job... just finishing it would be the problem!! I'm not handy enough to be cutting copper pipes or re routing LPG lines safely or without major catrastrophe . Eeek.
Crossing fingers that the installers WILL agree to do it and because it looks straight forward, do it quickly...
Our last somewhat successful DIY plumbing project was a new toilet. That's the top of the mark for us!
We made a video, we were so proud. It's not helpful for experienced folks, but incentive for anyone like us (fearful of these type of projects!).
Lucky Mike said
01:46 AM Jan 31, 2013
Very understandable...........I respect those that know there limit........It keeps guys like me a chance to still earn a living(or at least a meal..LOL)
Terry and Jo said
02:52 AM Jan 31, 2013
Lucky Mike wrote:
Very understandable...........I respect those that know there limit........It keeps guys like me a chance to still earn a living(or at least a meal..LOL)
While I am of no value to this thread since I don't know enough about the tankless heaters, I have just learned that Lucky Mike works cheap.
Now, if he would just provide us with his phone number.
Does anyone know if there are tankless water heaters for RVs, and if so do they work... and why aren't they standard equipment if they do? I know that the technology exists for home water heaters (Rinnai for example). They only turn on when you turn on the hot water, and you have a limitless supply of hot water (in a home... in an RV you'd be limited by your fresh water tank capacity of course).
If anybody has run into one of these in an RV, I'd sure like to hear about your experiences with it, pros and cons.
Thanks, Tim & Robyn
I have read about them, http://www.houseneeds.com/shop/heatingproducts/waterheating/rv/rv500waterheatermainpage.htm
I don't have an rv yet but this looks interesting.
I have been looking into a Tankless waterheating applications also. I have found this product through my research http://www.precisiontemp.com/ (you'll have to copy and paste into your browser).
I haven't priced them yet but I think they run in the $700 range. From what I have been reading they last longer than conventional water heaters...
Good luck and let us know if you find anymore products out there...
Tom
I looked at the PrecisionTemp website, and I haven't found any others out there yet. I've also found that Teton offers them as an option, but the price !! $1500, or something like that??? The heater itself only costs around $500 or so... oh well, I guess that's why you have to negotiate when purchasing (I hate that)...
Anyway, I really like the idea of one of these things, although I guess you'd have to be careful about taking those lingering showers - could run up the propane bill pretty quickly. I wonder though, how many of you turn off your standard RV water heater when you're set up in camp? Do you ever forget to turn it off? But wait, most of them are a combination of propane/electric, aren't they?
When we hit the road, it will be as fulltimers, with as many creature comforts/conveniences as possible.
Tim & Robyn
The only time we turn off the water heater is when we are traveling. It's always on when we are camped.
We seem to get along well with the standard 10 gallon gas/electric heater, there's never a problem with not enough hot water for showers or dish washing.
We were also pleasently surprised to find the anode still good after 11 months use, when we had it checked last week when we were at a Carriage dealer for some warranty work.
Fred
So if money were no object, I would get the tankless.
Gee Fred aren't you glad that a good union is a matter of give and take between partners.
I believe I would also start putting the "T" seat down after use. Know it was one of the things that my "bride" appreciated.
I do know that a nieghbor put a tankless in the stick house and were very happy. Although the actual price of the unit was more than a regular water heater, they thought it was a great addition. Althought they advised there is/was a difference in available units and they had gone to a foreign make that had a better recommendation. Got to peruse my information to find out what make. Being I'm going to replace some of the 53 year old water pipes, I'm going to replumb for the tankless heater.
The PrecisionTemp 500 is only for RVs. I've also heard about the Rinnai tankless water heaters for home use. According to the PrecisionTemp website their tank fits in the space occupied by the conventional 10gal RV water heater. I don't know about in an RV, but in a home environment I can certainly see how it would save money over the long haul... water is heated only when you need it - it doesn't waste energy keeping water in the tank hot when you're not using it. Either way, I certainly expect to be more conscious of water conservation when we get out there... I just don't want to run out of hot water in the middle of a shower if I can help it. That's one creature comfort I'd like to take with us from the stick house if there's a solution out there on the market, and it appears that there is one.
Best regards, and a belated Happy New Year to everyone!
Tim Fansler
I have to agree with Fred. Our 10 gal water heater is more than enough for the two of us taking showers and washing dishes. We don't have a washing machine so I guess that's a factor as well.
I find that our water heater recovers very quickly, after all you're only heating up 10 gallons at a time, not 40 like at home. So even if you use all the hot water taking that long shower, it won't take long to have another 10 gallons of hot water available.
I've read on other forums, that the RV version of the tankless heater isn't as good as the home version due to 110V vs 220V. Makes sense if true.
Fred
-- Edited by Luvglass at 21:09, 2007-01-08
Tim,
Somewhere back there in this thread was a question about leaving the water heater on when parked. We NEVER leave ours on. I don't know if I have a good reason, but I figure the fewer things turned on that can get really hot, the better. It's just a peace of mind thing when we are away from the rig.
We just flip on the electric water heater switch about 20 minutes before needing hot water. If we need it a few minutes faster, we use the propane. Of course we use the propane if we don't have electric.
A tankless water heater would be a nice feature to have, but it is far from the top of the priority list for us.
Howard (another toilet seat/lid putter-downer - but that's a whole different topic and thread)
-- Edited by wmalefyt at 11:40, 2007-01-10
We just had ours checked by a dealer because we've been out about a year now and I've frequently read the anode should be changed yearly. He was surprised to see very little grit come out and the anode was still half usable. He estimated it to last another year at least.
We've been in 26 states already, so I think we should have experienced the full range of water quality. And we leave it on all the time. It's only off when we tow.
Boy, that's a big socket you need to check it.
Fred
Our anode gets replaced about every 3 years. It still looks like it would go another year each time. But when the mechanic we use gets it out, he just replaces it. One reason it lasted so long for us is most all of the CG's we visit have sweet water (very soft). I replace the charcoal cartridge in the whole house omni water filter several times a year. Went home for about 2 months several years ago for some medical work and didn't drain the water filter. When we got back out on the road, the water was black in the whole system. Spent the first day flushing the system and installing a new filter. Seems the sweet water broke down the charcoal filter when left stored in the system for that period of time.
When (if) I get a new MH I'm going to have a reverse osmosis water system installed.
Lucky Mike... check this out!!!! http://www.precisiontemp.com/rv-and-trailer/rv-550-nsp-floor-vented-tankless-water-heater-for-rv-and-trailers/
Only a 2" hole! that can fit through the floor if necessary.
Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Wednesday 30th of January 2013 02:44:09 PM
Tim & Robyn - We have also been looking into the Precision Temp RV 500 (Or RV 550). They're quite expensive but our new situation (we just got a vintage bus) calls for a different set up then our last Class C rv. The never ending HW sounds awesome and not having a tank on board is another perk. A good RV upgrade, we agree!!!!
So, before we had a 10 gal HW heater (LPG) and it was fine, we took military showers to conserve water thus, never coming close to running out of HOT water! :) Ha ha. This all worked fine for the Class C.
Now, with the bus, we have bigger everything BUT the original system was an electric only water heater (wow, crazy uh?). So where the old WH sat there is no option to vent a LPG water heater (expect down). We boondock so having a LPG WH is important to us. Luckly there are LPG lines there for a floor heater.
Now, back to the Precison Temp... We want it! Specifically, the RV550 that vents through the floor so we don't have to cut a whole in the side of our bus. We're ready to buy it... but we ARE NOT HANDY FOLKS. Uggg!!
THE ISSUE: We've called several instalation places (RV service places) and nobody seems to want to work with a TANKLESS set up, it's too 'new'??? Really?
So, before we buy it, I want to find someone to install it. The phones number on the Precision TEmp website go to personal message boxes, not business lines? Scary? I don't know. However I'm in New Jersey right now, maybe there are more qualitified techs in other states for this install?
Have you done any instalation research? What have you found? Are you going to DIY?
Jeanette and Dennis,
This thread dates back to 2007. There have been changes in Tim's life since then, which I won't detail here, that has diminished his chances of RV'ing any time soon. It has been some time since he has been back to comment on the forums, but perhaps he is still reading on occasion. Hopefully, if he doesn't answer your questions, maybe someone else can.
Terry
When you clean your tank the debris and mineral buildup can be flushed from the system.....in a tank-less system it stays within the system and clogs the heat loop like a dirty radiator this causes internal corrosion or blockage .. some times the blockage can be cleared ,but a leak will require the core to be replaced...just in a simple repair its going to be costly not to mention finding a Tech that specializes in this system..
you do not save on propane or electric the cost is about even..
you get more hot-water but the maintenance costs are higher and they are not DIY
IMHO..........Bring your Visa....The look on your face when you get the bill.....Priceless!!!
Richard, who can be found at http://map.datastormusers.com/user4.cfm?user=608, where there is an email link, has had an RV500 for many years and loves it. He posts often on the Escapees forum and I do now know him.
Lucky Mike, thanks for the information. Do you have a recommendation on a WH that vents through the floor or a 2" pipe instead of a large wall vent? Our current layout had an Electric WH, we'd like an LPG WH but the space doesn't have direct access to a wall. This unit the RV 550 NSP is the only option we've found. Still, we're open to others.
Our other options seem to require some major redesign of the under bed components/pipes and service. Uggg. So, although the cost of this one is a bit high for us, it seems the only reasonable choice we can find. Still on the hunt.
UPDATE: Found a service center willing to look at our set up and who has Installed a RV 500 unit. They're Custom Coach in Baltimore MD.
Either way the hole will have to be cut to fit the unit unless an lp unit existed before..........so at that point it becomes a matter of preference and longevity
once the hole is cut it looks no different than any other HWH whether it be tank or tankless they both use the same cabinet dimensions
From what I read nice........this is some thing you can install yourself too.......if the gas line is available or you can do it yourself!!
Lucky Mike - I'm sure I can START the job... just finishing it would be the problem!! I'm not handy enough to be cutting copper pipes or re routing LPG lines safely or without major catrastrophe . Eeek.
Crossing fingers that the installers WILL agree to do it and because it looks straight forward, do it quickly...
Our last somewhat successful DIY plumbing project was a new toilet. That's the top of the mark for us!
We made a video, we were so proud. It's not helpful for experienced folks, but incentive for anyone like us (fearful of these type of projects!).
While I am of no value to this thread since I don't know enough about the tankless heaters, I have just learned that Lucky Mike works cheap.
Now, if he would just provide us with his phone number.
Good luck on your modification.
Terry