Community Forums

nanc · 12-28-2012, 08:32 AM

Hi all, My first question, I've been on this thread for several months just reading but never asked. By the way great knowlege to be learned here..My dad use to tell us when you quiet learning, You aren't alive any more.. But to the point. we have a 86 winniebago elandan 35 ft been working on for a year. I do have to say inside is looking pretty good but still like a few things. Now the outside is something to be desired.. Nothing a real good paint job wouldn't take care of..I need a new hot water heater.. I was asked by a friend did I consider a tankless.. But to be honest I didn't know they were made for campers.. I have done a lot of checking into these things and I kinda like them.. I was wondering if any of you have ever tryed one.. I appreciate all the info you guys and gals have put on this thread... My dad use to say, he who listen with two ears learns twice as much..... happy camping... Doug Powell the mojo man..

Clayobx · 12-28-2012, 08:48 AM

I have one at our S&B but it is rather large. However, probably no larger than a 10 gal. Atwood tank. Problem, needs AC power, don't know how many amps it would require to use an inverter? Looks like a huge battery drain. On the other hand hooked up would be no problem. There are propane agua hot systems for RV's check them out.

nanc · 12-28-2012, 09:01 AM

Thanks clayobx for your responce.. Been checking it out on you tube.. They make one for your camper that uses a 12 volt like your water heater with a tank but does use propane. I am going to investigate further details on this.. I think I might like this unit....

ksg5000 · 12-28-2012, 09:20 AM

What's wrong with the current water heater? Unless the holding tank is ruptured you may find that fixing the current one won't cost much and maybe your best alternative. From my perspective the std RV hot water tank does it's job and if it were me I would look for the lowest cost alternative and save your money for other RV tasks because "stuff happens".

wa8yxm · 12-28-2012, 10:09 AM

Tankless units are very attractive cause they get hot only when you need hot, and they do it very fast.

They come in two.1 flavors I have used the .1 More on that later.

The two are Electric: They use a LOT of electric you absolutly need 50 amp service to use an electric one....

And Propane. And like any water heater they suck propane, just not as much as a tank type long term.

The 0.1... Coleman markets a portable system, this one is propane, i've used it, worked very well. Alas I lost it (long story) I do not think I'll replace it but there have been times I wished I still had it.

I would take it with me when I went on "Rebuliding Togethere" projects, hot water for Tea or Hot chocolate, Warm water for wash up, Completly portable (I had two 5 gallon supply tanks, Could run one dry, swap out and go refill the first) In the motor home I have only needed it once, Park had a water heater failure.

cj5 jeeper · 12-28-2012, 10:40 AM

My 08 Rexhall came with one, and after one trip I took it back to Rexhall and paid to have a 10 gal heater installed. If you are taking a shower you have to leave the water running, when you turn it off and back on you have to leave it run for a long time to get hot water again, we had a fit dry camping, I tried everything, I thought something was wrong with it until I called the factory and was told you have to leave it running while showering. Another problem with it was you do not have the option of an electric element in it. When we are at a rv park we never turn on the gas to the water heater, with a 10 gal tank we can both shower with plenty of hot water.