| Re: Supplimental On Demand Hot Water [message #68238 is a reply to message #54959] |
Thu, 24 December 2009 08:49   |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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We use a tankless water heater to heat our shop area at the airport. Te area is about 20 X 55 feet. The heating system is water tubes built into the concrete floor. One the first design used a regular water heater and it lasted for many years. Then a couple of years ago the government was giving these away for free. ($300 rebate on your income taxes) So we got one because it was suppose to be more efficient than the water heater we were using.
The only major problem we have had with it is it almost immediately rusted out the vent flue pipes. The exhaust did not get hot enough to evaporate all of the combustion moisture. We ended up having to replace the vent with stainless and drilling a small drip hole to collect accumulated moisture that had condensed in the vent pipe. We mistakenly used a galvanized bucket to collect it and it also did not last very long. You would be surprised how acidic that stuff is. The bucket is not plastic. Ours runs about 40% of the time in the dead of winter unlike short cycles you would have heating water in a GMC.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Supplimental On Demand Hot Water [message #68244 is a reply to message #54959] |
Thu, 24 December 2009 11:06 |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Karma: 0
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I was also considering a tankless water heater, but in reading the information provided in the installation brochure, I became wary and went for a stainless conventional design. The installation information with the tankless unit required a 6 foot chimney for the vent, a bit too long for my taste, and I wasn't sure how well is would fare with the shorter chimney (I really don't want to set the coach on fire).
BTW, I think the idea of the halon or foam automatic extinguishers are a wonderful idea, and should be on everyone's XMas list if not already installed. I have the halon units in my engine compartment and refrigerator compartment, and as soon as it warms up a bit, I'll install the one I have for the generator as well. A handheld halon unit in the closet is also a great idea. The cleanup is the main factor in my choice.
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: Supplimental On Demand Hot Water [message #68248 is a reply to message #68244] |
Thu, 24 December 2009 11:27 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
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I have the halon units in my engine compartment and refrigerator compartment, and as soon as it warms up a bit, I'll install the one I have for the generator as well. A handheld halon unit in the closet is also a great idea.
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I'm not going to try to go against the grain here, but I hope you are carrying at least a couple of dry chemical extinguishers too!
The gas units, ( CO2 and Halon ) will take the oxygen away and the fire will go out, but if there is hot metal such as in the genset compartment or engine compartment, the flame will ignite instantly as the air returns.
Foam has the ability to cool the metal as it put the fire out, and is most likely to keep the fire out.
Gas such as CO2 and Halon were designed to be used in a closed room where the gas will not go away until an exhaust fan is turned on to bring air back in.
Halon has another affect, if there is hot copper, such as in coils, electronics etc, the halon chemical turns to an acid and will eat the copper away.
LarC ( Thinking it is best to know how things work before investing a lot of money for something designed for something else. )
Gatsbys' CRUISER  08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
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| Re: Supplimental On Demand Hot Water [message #68349 is a reply to message #68260] |
Fri, 25 December 2009 13:56 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
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It seems some coaches have burned and the fire originated in the back of the newer Dometic and Norcold units. The refer makers have recalled some of the units but my new one is not on their list, so far.
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This interests me. I have an older Norcold 3 way., that I hope gets a lot older, I really like it. It was the first RV frig I ever had that could keep Ice cream frozen. That is how I guaged my decision to buy.
Has anyone seen or taken any pics of these newer friges on the HOT list????
It would be of interest to see where the fault lies. Maybe we can place a lining of metal to help prevent such a terrible occurance.
I did hear some time back that Norcold had changed hands and the newer friges were redesigned, but if they took the safety factor out, the value has dropped excessively.
Happy Holidays
LarC ( Think all RV friges should be as save as the one at home in the kitchen, remember the old Natural Gas friges??? )
Gatsbys' CRUISER 08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
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