My old water heater ,a Carver which Coromal from WA used to import from the UK a few years ago but no longer do.
Well it's decided it's had it's day and is leaking badly. No hot water so have been looking at a replacement unit.
I had been checking out this so called super-duper gas endless hot water system from the good old USA. Supposed to be selling like hot cakes.
Auto ignition and no pilot light so no tank so less weight.
The alternatives here in Australia seem to be the Truma or the Suburban water heaters either gas only or gas/240Volt.
I decided to check out the USA RV forums re the endless hot water system.
An eye opener. Seems almost every RV manufacturer in the USA is installing them as a standard unit.
This is where it gets interesting. Most of the RV forums say the RV's generally don't have enough water pressure to run the unit effectively. The water gets TOO HOT.
There is not enough water pressure to keep the cold water flow running at enough pressure to keep the water flow cool enough for showering.
You have to upgrade your water pump to one that will run both the hot and cold flow together.
Reason for post is reading about another post on here re Fridges in the tropics not coping.
Seems forewarned is forearmed so if anyone is considering the endless water heater the water pump and water pressure part needs to be addressed too.
-- Edited by Yuglamron on Saturday 30th of November 2013 11:48:06 AM
SnowT said
12:18 PM Nov 30, 2013
Got a Question, can you control the tempreture of the outflow of the hot water heater..
we have a Renni instantaneous HWS, it has a digital control[needs 240v] you can set the tempreture to what ever you want it at.. Even to say 42 degree, so I was wondering if it does the same then you don't need cold water at all.. the question is HOW much Gas do they use..??
Gas Appliances I leave to the Gas fitter's I only run the Power Point's to them..
Juergen
I DO NOT recommend the Renni Gas HWS system for the RV's.. All I was asking do they have a thermostatic control...
-- Edited by SnowT on Saturday 30th of November 2013 03:45:24 PM
oldtrack123 said
12:33 PM Nov 30, 2013
Before ANYONE race in on that, THEY should be aware that ANY such GAS appliance requires to be approved to AUS STANDARDS!!
Best to check THAT out
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Saturday 30th of November 2013 12:36:36 PM
Yuglamron said
12:43 PM Nov 30, 2013
In reply,
These units are now available in Australia through reputable dealers so they would be Aus Compliant. They do have a thermostat but from the forums in the USA it still doesn't seem to affect the outflow temp too much. Just a lack of water pressure is the main problem it appears.
I checked out the manufacturers website and it does state that the unit requires a water flow which you have to determine if your RV/Motorhome will be able to supply. I will have to check my water flow but it looks from the blurb I would have to change to a larger pump as well.
I will have to Google the Renni or is that Rinnai sounds like it would fit the bill. Is it a dedicated RV unit or a home style unit?
-- Edited by Yuglamron on Saturday 30th of November 2013 12:46:38 PM
We have been running the same system as this, (different brand name but exactly the same unit) works very well, multible temp adjustments & water flow,no pilot light self lights from two D size batteries & good on gas. Also runs perfect from a normal caravan water pump.
They are also advertised in the caravan mags for camping etc.
JC.
Aus-Kiwi said
12:35 AM Dec 1, 2013
How about the diesel water heaters ??
Yuglamron said
10:53 AM Dec 1, 2013
Thanks for the suggestion Aus-Kiwi.
I toyed with the idea and getting the version that heated the cabin too. However the cost of both versions and where to actually locate the units stopped me going that way. They do look to be a good system though. Although they appear small enough the place I have to mount one is very close to the main electrics panel.
I see they even have a diesel cooktop too.
If I was outfitting a vehicle from the start I think I would go that way.
I checked out the Rinnai suggestion someone else made but where to mount the unit has me beat.
I think my best option is the Suburban and have the old Carver unit replaced with one. It will have to have the external fitting modified as I would have to have the old. Vent on the outside wall of the MH cut out with a bigger hole to allow the old unit to be removed. The original builder put the water heater under the sink unit and welded the whole unit from stainless around it. Cheaper to cut a bigger hole and go that route methinks.
The joys of motorhomes where space is at a premium. Seems that like for like is the answer for my situation.
Thanks for the suggestion though.
Yuglamron said
10:59 AM Dec 1, 2013
Thanks for the suggestion Justcruisin01 and Cruising Cruise, looks to be a good idea and a great unit. Just nowhere to mount it in my Motorhome. The endless water system would have been able to fit where the old unit was and it seems my best option now is replace like with like. Go the Suburban route as they are very similar in size and shape.
Aus-Kiwi suggested the diesel which I will have a further look at but it's very close to the electrics and not sure about the heat from the unit.
native pepper said
07:52 AM Dec 2, 2013
We have various set ups for our hot water, a heat exchanger from the bus engine provides all the hot water we need when on the road. When camped we have a 12v/240v 10lt hot water system and 3 of those solar hot water bags, which provide an excellent shower outside, in a shower tent. Pretty rare to use them though. We were going to put in an instant gas heater, which is still sitting at home, but have never needed it and we spent 6-9 months on the road, rarely using van parks. A mate with a 23ft van also has heat exchanger hot water, he runs a snap hose from the car to the van and it seems to work really well for them.
Tim thetruckie said
07:53 PM Dec 4, 2013
I have a endless unit in my van and it works ok on low pressure , just add a bit of cold water using the cold tap .
GregTheComputerGuy said
05:39 PM Dec 5, 2013
Yuglamron wrote:
My old water heater ,a Carver which Coromal from WA used to import from the UK a few years ago but no longer do.
Well it's decided it's had it's day and is leaking badly. No hot water so have been looking at a replacement unit.
I had been checking out this so called super-duper gas endless hot water system from the good old USA. Supposed to be selling like hot cakes.
Auto ignition and no pilot light so no tank so less weight.
The alternatives here in Australia seem to be the Truma or the Suburban water heaters either gas only or gas/240Volt.
I decided to check out the USA RV forums re the endless hot water system.
An eye opener. Seems almost every RV manufacturer in the USA is installing them as a standard unit.
This is where it gets interesting. Most of the RV forums say the RV's generally don't have enough water pressure to run the unit effectively. The water gets TOO HOT.
There is not enough water pressure to keep the cold water flow running at enough pressure to keep the water flow cool enough for showering.
You have to upgrade your water pump to one that will run both the hot and cold flow together.
Reason for post is reading about another post on here re Fridges in the tropics not coping.
Seems forewarned is forearmed so if anyone is considering the endless water heater the water pump and water pressure part needs to be addressed too.
-- Edited by Yuglamron on Saturday 30th of November 2013 11:48:06 AM
You know I cant understand this one really.
For two years back in the late 70s, my wife and I rented a house that, every other week, was going to be sold and then not going to be sold. I got sick of it and bought a 38 foot van with shower and toilet and put it in my parents' back yard. Now remember this was late 70s. The water heater (cant remember the make) was close to the kitchen sink and served that and also the shower. When the hot water tap was turned down, it lowered the rate of flow through and that lowered the flame the tank produced. Could have been a Rheem but I wont put money on it. Later on we bought our first house and had only hot water over the bath which doubled as the shower. Wanting it in the kitchen we got a hot water tank, gas, put in. The hot water tank put in did the same thing as the caravan in that you reduce the hot water flow it reduced the flame. So, I thought all gas hot water did the same thing.
If this Yankee one isnt doing that then it is a disaster waiting to happen. Eg, if you turn the hot water on and then find no water is going through, does the flame stay on and blow the thing up?
Tim thetruckie said
09:10 PM Dec 5, 2013
Greg what you are talking about does not comply for vans now .
With the Girad unit there must be water flow for the gas to turn on and ignite , if for some reason the water flow stops while it is heating water the flame is shut off . They have no pilot light like the old units you are talking about .
PeterD said
03:45 PM Dec 7, 2013
It's bit difficult to reconcile what people are talking about when people don't use capitals when naming brands an include other words in the name. I take it you are intending to use http://awardrvwarehouse.com.au/ENDLESS%20HOT%20WATER This unit has had good reviews on other forums. It's the unit I would opt for in any new installation.
For a gas heater to be approved for use IN caravans it must draw its combustion air from outside and exhaust its waste gases to the outside air. That one that John is proposing does neither. If you want to use it with your van you would have to mount it on the front or rear of the van or alternately build it into an enclosure sealed from the interior of the van.
Quote from GregTheComputerGuy "I got sick of it and bought a 38 foot van with shower and toilet and put it in my parents' back yard. Now remember this was late 70s. The water heater (cant remember the make) was close to the kitchen sink and served that and also the shower."
Back in those days there were instant hot water systems manufactured for use in vans. They had an exhaust flue that went out the roof of the van. However they were open at the bottom and thus do not comply these days. I have not seen them on sale for over 30 years.
My old water heater ,a Carver which Coromal from WA used to import from the UK a few years ago but no longer do.
Well it's decided it's had it's day and is leaking badly. No hot water so have been looking at a replacement unit.
I had been checking out this so called super-duper gas endless hot water system from the good old USA. Supposed to be selling like hot cakes.
Auto ignition and no pilot light so no tank so less weight.
The alternatives here in Australia seem to be the Truma or the Suburban water heaters either gas only or gas/240Volt.
I decided to check out the USA RV forums re the endless hot water system.
An eye opener. Seems almost every RV manufacturer in the USA is installing them as a standard unit.
This is where it gets interesting. Most of the RV forums say the RV's generally don't have enough water pressure to run the unit effectively. The water gets TOO HOT.
There is not enough water pressure to keep the cold water flow running at enough pressure to keep the water flow cool enough for showering.
You have to upgrade your water pump to one that will run both the hot and cold flow together.
Reason for post is reading about another post on here re Fridges in the tropics not coping.
Seems forewarned is forearmed so if anyone is considering the endless water heater the water pump and water pressure part needs to be addressed too.
-- Edited by Yuglamron on Saturday 30th of November 2013 11:48:06 AM
Got a Question, can you control the tempreture of the outflow of the hot water heater..
we have a Renni instantaneous HWS, it has a digital control[needs 240v] you can set the tempreture to what ever you want it at.. Even to say 42 degree, so I was wondering if it does the same then you don't need cold water at all..
the question is HOW much Gas do they use..??
Gas Appliances I leave to the Gas fitter's I only run the Power Point's to them..
Juergen
I DO NOT recommend the Renni Gas HWS system for the RV's.. All I was asking do they have a thermostatic control...
-- Edited by SnowT on Saturday 30th of November 2013 03:45:24 PM
Best to check THAT out
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Saturday 30th of November 2013 12:36:36 PM
In reply,
These units are now available in Australia through reputable dealers so they would be Aus Compliant. They do have a thermostat but from the forums in the USA it still doesn't seem to affect the outflow temp too much. Just a lack of water pressure is the main problem it appears.
I checked out the manufacturers website and it does state that the unit requires a water flow which you have to determine if your RV/Motorhome will be able to supply. I will have to check my water flow but it looks from the blurb I would have to change to a larger pump as well.
I will have to Google the Renni or is that Rinnai sounds like it would fit the bill. Is it a dedicated RV unit or a home style unit?
-- Edited by Yuglamron on Saturday 30th of November 2013 12:46:38 PM
www.ebay.com.au/itm/Country-Comfort-LPG-Gas-Water-Heater-for-Caravan-Trailer-4WD-Camping-/151178024303
Cheers John
We have been running the same system as this, (different brand name but exactly the same unit) works very well, multible temp adjustments & water flow,no pilot light self lights from two D size batteries & good on gas. Also runs perfect from a normal caravan water pump.
They are also advertised in the caravan mags for camping etc.
JC.
Thanks for the suggestion Aus-Kiwi.
I toyed with the idea and getting the version that heated the cabin too. However the cost of both versions and where to actually locate the units stopped me going that way. They do look to be a good system though. Although they appear small enough the place I have to mount one is very close to the main electrics panel.
I see they even have a diesel cooktop too.
If I was outfitting a vehicle from the start I think I would go that way.
I checked out the Rinnai suggestion someone else made but where to mount the unit has me beat.
I think my best option is the Suburban and have the old Carver unit replaced with one. It will have to have the external fitting modified as I would have to have the old. Vent on the outside wall of the MH cut out with a bigger hole to allow the old unit to be removed. The original builder put the water heater under the sink unit and welded the whole unit from stainless around it. Cheaper to cut a bigger hole and go that route methinks.
The joys of motorhomes where space is at a premium. Seems that like for like is the answer for my situation.
Thanks for the suggestion though.
Thanks for the suggestion Justcruisin01 and Cruising Cruise, looks to be a good idea and a great unit. Just nowhere to mount it in my Motorhome. The endless water system would have been able to fit where the old unit was and it seems my best option now is replace like with like. Go the Suburban route as they are very similar in size and shape.
Aus-Kiwi suggested the diesel which I will have a further look at but it's very close to the electrics and not sure about the heat from the unit.
We have various set ups for our hot water, a heat exchanger from the bus engine provides all the hot water we need when on the road. When camped we have a 12v/240v 10lt hot water system and 3 of those solar hot water bags, which provide an excellent shower outside, in a shower tent. Pretty rare to use them though. We were going to put in an instant gas heater, which is still sitting at home, but have never needed it and we spent 6-9 months on the road, rarely using van parks. A mate with a 23ft van also has heat exchanger hot water, he runs a snap hose from the car to the van and it seems to work really well for them.
You know I cant understand this one really.
For two years back in the late 70s, my wife and I rented a house that, every other week, was going to be sold and then not going to be sold. I got sick of it and bought a 38 foot van with shower and toilet and put it in my parents' back yard. Now remember this was late 70s. The water heater (cant remember the make) was close to the kitchen sink and served that and also the shower. When the hot water tap was turned down, it lowered the rate of flow through and that lowered the flame the tank produced. Could have been a Rheem but I wont put money on it. Later on we bought our first house and had only hot water over the bath which doubled as the shower. Wanting it in the kitchen we got a hot water tank, gas, put in. The hot water tank put in did the same thing as the caravan in that you reduce the hot water flow it reduced the flame. So, I thought all gas hot water did the same thing.
If this Yankee one isnt doing that then it is a disaster waiting to happen. Eg, if you turn the hot water on and then find no water is going through, does the flame stay on and blow the thing up?
With the Girad unit there must be water flow for the gas to turn on and ignite , if for some reason the water flow stops while it is heating water the flame is shut off . They have no pilot light like the old units you are talking about .
It's bit difficult to reconcile what people are talking about when
people don't use capitals when naming brands an include other words in
the name. I take it you are intending to use http://awardrvwarehouse.com.au/ENDLESS%20HOT%20WATER This unit has had good reviews on other forums. It's the unit I would opt for in any new installation.
For a gas heater to be approved for use IN caravans it must draw its combustion air from outside and exhaust its waste gases to the outside air. That one that John is proposing does neither. If you want to use it with your van you would have to mount it on the front or rear of the van or alternately build it into an enclosure sealed from the interior of the van.
Quote from GregTheComputerGuy "I got sick of it and bought a 38 foot van with shower and toilet and put it in my parents' back yard. Now remember this was late 70s. The water heater (cant remember the make) was close to the kitchen sink and served that and also the shower."
Back in those days there were instant hot water systems manufactured for use in vans. They had an exhaust flue that went out the roof of the van. However they were open at the bottom and thus do not comply these days. I have not seen them on sale for over 30 years.