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gregsdart · 02-03-2018, 05:17 AM

Hope it goes well. Mine took awhile due to not having a wiring diagram and Winnebago not providing one. I also chose to stay away from the XT (more complex) models so i wouldn't have to worry about breakdowns. The standard unit is working just fine for us.

Jupiter · 02-04-2018, 11:53 AM

I also had the Atwood tankless heater in my 2016 Journey. Without repeating all the horrible performance issues with the Atwood, suffice it to say that it's pure trash and Winnebago should be ashamed for not adequately testing this device and approving this for their coach installs. Winnebago should own up to their mistake and offer a free swap out to either a tank heater or a Truma...but they don't.

I chose to replace my Atwood unit with a Truma rather than a tank (which is also a great solution). I've had the Truma on-line for about 8 months now and am currently wintering in Florida since December and using it full-time. I've been waiting to comment until I've had plenty of "test time". To date, the Truma has worked very well. Hot water temp is very consistent; burner kicks on almost immediately; and operates with a very low GPM flow rate which I think is as low as around 0.25gpm minimum.

However, within the last two weeks I've had occasional (not every time) issues with the burner not firing off immediately, and occasionally not firing at all when operating the kitchen faucet without cycling the water off and on several times. Obviously a big waste of water and a frustration. I called Truma and spoke with the engineer who suggested I may need to decalcify the unit. He was gong to arrange for a regional service tech to come to my site to perform that. It's been nearly a week and I haven't heard back from Truma as of yet. I'll be calling them again in the morning.

Overall, I'm pleased with the operation and reliability (up to now) with the Truma. However, the coach came new with the Atwood, but if I had my preference I would prefer a tank heater and hear's why.

Tankless heaters work ONLY on propane and not electric. So, my propane usage (especially during cool weather) is noticeably higher. I would very much like the option to use electric vs. propane to save propane and to use campground electric. On the upside, the Truma never runs out of hot water even when taking back to back showers, doing dishes, etc.

Just sharing my experience

cheers,
Joopy

gregsdart · 02-05-2018, 03:13 AM

Good to know about the calcium issue. Seems like the choice to go as old tek as possible was the right choice! I wonder if treating the Truma unit to a dose of vinnegar (like cleaning a coffee maker)would help? It would be a lot of work, but might be needed.

blujay40 · 02-05-2018, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jupiter

I called Truma and spoke with the engineer who suggested I may need to decalcify the unit. He was gong to arrange for a regional service tech to come to my site to perform that. It's been nearly a week and I haven't heard back from Truma as of yet. I'll be calling them again in the morning.

If a tech needs to come to do the descaling, I am assuming then that you have the basic Truma model vs. the Comfort model (no inside control knob)? If so, you may want to consider the upgrade to a Comfort model that allows the user to do the descaling by inserting a tablet into the unit and selecting the clean function on the control dial then flush the system and lines a few hours later. About as easy as one could ask for.

Jupiter · 02-05-2018, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blujay40

If a tech needs to come to do the descaling, I am assuming then that you have the basic Truma model vs. the Comfort model (no inside control knob)? If so, you may want to consider the upgrade to a Comfort model that allows the user to do the descaling by inserting a tablet into the unit and selecting the clean function on the control dial then flush the system and lines a few hours later. About as easy as one could ask for.

I do have the Comfort model and I do have the decalcifying tablets. But,I really didn't think that I've used enough volume of water to date to require decalcification, plus the control knob has not indicated (as it should) that decalcification is required. Therefore, that's why I contacted Truma. I can easily decalcify myself but I want to be sure of the root cause before proceeding.

On a related matter, Florida does have hard water and I installed a water softener about two weeks ago after this condition began. I did this not to resolve the issue but to improve water quality going forward.

cheers,
Joopy