Community Forums

hohenwald48 · 02-25-2018, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKins

Agree with what has been said but another factor is the water pump volume you have. The pump we had when we bought the coach was like a 2.3gpm pump. I replaced it with a 4gpm - so I can use our 10 gal tank in a few minutes if I have the water on full blast.

I thought flow rate was restricted by each individual fixture and not impacted by pump capacity. I know all the shower heads I've seen have a GPM rating on them.

I thought pump capacity was only an issue when using multiple fixtures at the same time.

Dutch Star Don · 02-25-2018, 06:44 PM

You have three things that will determine how long of a hot shower you can take when using a propane water heater.

-Water heater tank size, usually 6 gallon or 10 gallon

-Incoming water temp - in cold weather, use the warmer water in your tank.

-Shower head size - gallons per minute (Many like the Oxygenic shower head that injects air during use. It feels like the water pressure is higher than it is.)

Having an electric element really doesn't boost the water temperature during showers, but allows the water to reheat without using propane in between showers.

A propane water heater will not give you unlimited hot water during a shower, unless you have the water turned down to a really low setting, which would barely come out of the shower head.

Moxxi · 02-25-2018, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon Dewald

... I can have a "navy" shower very easily ...

I had to “google” this.
I thought that this phrase meant something else. Glad it didn’t.

[emoji106]

RKins · 02-26-2018, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hohenwald48

I thought flow rate was restricted by each individual fixture and not impacted by pump capacity. I know all the shower heads I've seen have a GPM rating on them.

I thought pump capacity was only an issue when using multiple fixtures at the same time.

I have restrictor on the sink but not the shower. We like a powerful shower.

Gordon Dewald · 02-26-2018, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moxxi

I had to “google” this.
I thought that this phrase meant something else. Glad it didn’t.

[emoji106]

Well our shower is big enough for Janet and me. We are a co-ed navy!!! LOL

Old_Crow · 02-27-2018, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon Dewald

Well our shower is big enough for Janet and me. We are a co-ed navy!!! LOL

Heh, I have a granddaughter that's the result of the co-ed Navy.

Sandy Swede · 02-27-2018, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon Dewald

We have AquaHot and on electric both Janet and I can have a "navy" shower very easily. If the diesel burner is on the hot water keeps on coming.

Jointly or consecutively?

okcnewbie · 02-27-2018, 06:18 AM

We have 6 gallon propane only. The water is very hot. I can take a longish shower without the water getting cold. The pressure is not the same as at home but the length of my shower is close.

exrench · 02-27-2018, 06:33 AM

What on Earth do you people do during your "long" showers all by yourself? I would get bored as as there is usually something else I have to do with my day.

wa8yxm · 02-27-2018, 07:17 AM

Three answeres depending on your RV and a 4th weather based.

Your shower head likely is 2 GPM. now in the summer you likely use about a 50/50 mix of hot and cold. You use more HOT in the winter.

The three answers
Water heaters come in 3 flavors for RV use

1: Standard is six gallons so at 2gpm with a 50/50 mix that is 6 minutes.

2: Some rigs have either a 10 gallon or a "10 gallon in a six gallon hat" water heater (Atwood makes that last) so those you get 10 minutes.

3: A few have DEMAND heaters. Unlimited

Notes: With both electric (1500 watt) and Propane the recovery may be fast enough to extend that time a bit.

Use of a cut off valve (Many RV shower heads have 'em, Mine I added one) will allow you to soap up without water running so you can add a minute or two.. make sure the valve lets water DRIP however as if you cut it off hard you will get either a blast of HOT or COLD water when you restore flow, also if a hand held shower direct AWAY from you when you restore flow for a second or three.

DEMAND water heaters are Propane only But til you run out of either water or Propane.. they keep the hot water flowing.

DENSHER · 02-27-2018, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

You have three things that will determine how long of a hot shower you can take when using a propane water heater.

-Water heater tank size, usually 6 gallon or 10 gallon

-Incoming water temp - in cold weather, use the warmer water in your tank.

-Shower head size - gallons per minute (Many like the Oxygenic shower head that injects air during use. It feels like the water pressure is higher than it is.)

Having an electric element really doesn't boost the water temperature during showers, but allows the water to reheat without using propane in between showers.

A propane water heater will not give you unlimited hot water during a shower, unless you have the water turned down to a really low setting, which would barely come out of the shower head.

One more parameter that determines length of comfortable temp is thermostat setting of the heater. Hotter the water is to start more cold is added so reduces flow of hot from the heater.

okcnewbie · 02-28-2018, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DENSHER

One more parameter that determines length of comfortable temp is thermostat setting of the heater. Hotter the water is to start more cold is added so reduces flow of hot from the heater.

This is the reason that my showers feel almost endless if I want them to be. I also use the water pump most of the time versus city water. Pretty good pressure and long supply.

okcnewbie · 02-28-2018, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exrench

What on Earth do you people do during your "long" showers all by yourself? I would get bored as as there is usually something else I have to do with my day.

I'm pretty sure a "long" shower in this context is 10 minutes or so. Still leaves plenty of time for the day. If the day includes hiking, biking, working out, etc. there's nothing like a long hot shower to end the day IMO.

THenman · 02-28-2018, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

DEMAND water heaters are Propane only But til you run out of either water or Propane.. they keep the hot water flowing.

Very good answer except for above. Our coach has on demand but uses elec and or diesel for the heat. Elec alone is often not very hot but since same unit is used for heating coach it can be an option at times.

Tom