Adding a Tankless Water Heater

[KennyMack]

It finally happened guys, she put her foot down and said there was no way she was going out full time without a bigger water heater. I decided the devoted wife deserved this single luxury, and I love silky smooth legs so it is a win win.

I began researching all kinds of ways to increase my ability to have endless hot water. Residential 120 and 240 tank less heaters draw way too many amps for my liking so I started looking into tank less gas ( propane ) fired water heaters. Google promptly gave me several options and I narrowed it down to the Girrard Tankless water heater. Cost was a big deciding factor and so it began, the quest to find the best price.

I found there were several dealers of the water heater and got the best overall deal I could. I pulled the trigger and ordered the Heater and the exterior door for my replacement application.

Today my faithful UPS driver drove up and delivered my water heater and door. My initial reaction to the box was "that's it?". But what was I expecting? I don't really know why I was expecting a huge box but I was.

The weather today was far too rainy to attempt this today, and I need some supplies before I get started. I will take photos along the way and give everyone a full write up.

[hankaye]

KennyMack, Howdy;

Sounds like a true 'project' you've set for yourself.
Please keep us posted and take and POST plenty of pix... thanks.

hankaye

[mikell]

We keep the electric on all the time and turn the gas on in the morning when we hit the shower. Never have ran out and I think we have an 10 gallon one

[Johnnyfry]

Kenny,
Please keep the group informed on the install and results. If possible report on propane consumption too.

Gas is certainly the way to go on this. Tankless heaters take way too much juice.

John

[KennyMack]

It took me two days to accomplish the install but mainly due to having to go get parts. Some things I learned along the way:
1. Remove stove for fastest removal of water heater.
2. Some parts are only going to be found at a RV supply center
3. Don't waste your time asking anyone at Home Depot or Lowes about anything relating to RV's.

I would say the install is definitely doable for anyone with basic skills. The new unit lines up to the old nearly perfectly. The hardest thing is manipulating the pex lines and basic 12 volt wiring. The only thing that would concern me is working with gas lines by inexperienced folks. The main concern being a gas leak. I found a bottle of dyed leak detection fluid ( soapy water ) for $5 at CW. This water heater easily produces up to 135 degree water in high and maintains 100 degrees at wide open. I am happy about the investment.

[jje1960]

Super happy you found what you were looking for, good luck with the install! I am just a bit curious though, since your talking about endless hotwater, this kind of tells your going to have hookups, the holding tanks are far from endless! If you have hookups, why would you wish to use your propane vs the hookup electric? Just wondering.

[KennyMack]

Here are some before and after pictures.

[KennyMack]

We have never dry camped since we started camping and even if we do this unit uses no gas to maintain hot water. It only uses gas when the water is flowing and to prevent freezing. The electric unit on our 6 gallon water heater took two hours for initial heat up and nearly 30 minute recovery. My wife really likes shaving her legs and hated doing one leg at a time even with the oxygenics head.

[2011 keystone]

Looks great,can I ask where you got your heater?

[allentx1]

That is perfect for us (family of 4 and sometimes a few extra kids). I would also like to know the propane usage but I suspect that it will be same or marginally higher since it is not running all the time. While you are answering, can you give rough estimate on costs? (including all the RV parts)

[f6bits]

Looks good! I’m pretty sure my water heater is under my lower bunk. I was considering going Tankless, but got slowed down by the cost. Then came to a complete stop when I read something how it only runs at full water flow (use cold water faucet to adjust final temperature). Is this full-flow only the case with yours? I think it was the Girrard site where I read this.

[KennyMack]

Originally Posted by allentx1

That is perfect for us (family of 4 and sometimes a few extra kids). I would also like to know the propane usage but I suspect that it will be same or marginally higher since it is not running all the time. While you are answering, can you give rough estimate on costs? (including all the RV parts)

It will be a bit before I know what my usage will be. I will outline the costs:
Girard 1GWHAF Water Heater- $579.98 Adventure Rv
Girard 1GWHD Polar White Flange and door- $39.95
Shipping-$24.75
Insurance-$5.89
Expidited-$9.95 Total $660.52

Butyl Tape $4.95 Ellis RV Supply

Dap 3.0 Silicone $5.93 Lowes
PEX 1/2" x 10' $2.84
All Purpose cement $4.98
Teflon Tape $.99
1 1/2" T w 1/2" npt $1.64 ( for winter use discharge line )
1/2" pex connector w/ npt $4.05

1/2" pex 90 degree elbow w/ compression fitting $4.05 Camping World
1/2" pex 90 degree elbow w/ threads $4.55
Gas Leak Detector fluid $ 5.97

Grand total of $720 with tax and all. Minus sale of old water heater at $350 leaves me with a total cost of $320.

[KennyMack]

Originally Posted by sdayman

Looks good! I’m pretty sure my water heater is under my lower bunk. I was considering going Tankless, but got slowed down by the cost. Then came to a complete stop when I read something how it only runs at full water flow (use cold water faucet to adjust final temperature). Is this full-flow only the case with yours? I think it was the Girrard site where I read this.

the way this unit operates is that you turn the hot water on. It begins instantly heating the water. It takes no more time or water to get the hot water in the shower. For hotter water you reduce the flow for colder you increase it. I got water at the shower wide open at 100 degrees. The unit I bought even came with a free Oxygenics shower head which I already had. At full power or wide open the shower is a perfect temp for me. I love it and so does the DW and kids. No more marine showers or bath houses!

[f6bits]

I have tankless at home and it doesn’t need full flow to turn on. Not even halfway and it’s on. I miss being able to get a very low flow of warm water, so I’m leery of a system where I need full blast for it to turn on. Maybe once the lil’ ones get bigger, I’ll revisit tankless for the trailer.

[allentx1]

I think what he is saying is that the water is hotter at lower flow and less hot at higher flow. (presumably because the heater has less time to heat the exiting water) At a little over $700 that seems to be worth it if you full time, for us, I'd rather sit and wait for the screams... I don't mind cold showers.

Seriously though, selling the old was genius... If I could set that up and expect to pay total around $350 I would do it this spring break trip.

[hankaye]

KennyMack, Howdy;

Thanks for the follow-up and the pix. Looks like a 'do-able' project.

I'm thinking that it would cost more to use it with elcet. than it will with propane.... heating eleminates suck a hugh amount of amps. IMO. and if you are sitting in a long term slot you are paying for those amps...

hankaye

[KennyMack]

Originally Posted by sdayman

I have tankless at home and it doesn’t need full flow to turn on. Not even halfway and it’s on. I miss being able to get a very low flow of warm water, so I’m leery of a system where I need full blast for it to turn on. Maybe once the lil’ ones get bigger, I’ll revisit tankless for the trailer.

The lower the flow the hotter. I get 135 degree water when flow is about a #2 pencil in size.

[KennyMack]

Originally Posted by hankaye

KennyMack, Howdy;

Thanks for the follow-up and the pix. Looks like a 'do-able' project.

I'm thinking that it would cost more to use it with elcet. than it will with propane.... heating eleminates suck a hugh amount of amps. IMO. and if you are sitting in a long term slot you are paying for those amps...

hankaye

Most of the work camp jobs we are anticipating either give us discount propane or free propane, but electricity is only free up to a point.

[KennyMack]

Also I have tons of photos and video of the project but not enough bandwidth right now.

[f6bits]

Thanks for the clarification. I’m so glad to hear that it kicks in at low flow. I can live with super hot at low flow since I can add cold. My current TT heater gives us scalding hot water at any flow, so I’m used to dealing with super hot water.