| Best idea yet [message #308301] |
Wed, 05 October 2016 09:06  |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Senior Member |
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Albert Brascombe shared a great idea at the GMCMI rally. In a wet bath coach this is not as much of an issue as in some of the upfit coaches where the hot water heater is not basically IN the bathroom. What Albert has done is put a valve and a TEE in the hot water line behind the door of the bath module. With the valve in one position, the not yet hot water is diverted BACK to the fresh water tank. When the water gets hot as determined by how hot the water line feels, Albert simply moves the valve back to the other position and HOT water is immediately available at the faucet/shower.
This is probably the best idea I've ever heard for saving water and black/gray tank usage in motorhomes. No longer does he have to run a bunch of water of perfectly good water down the drain into his black/gray tank while waiting for hot water to make it's way from the heater. Makes a lot of sense when you're boondooking or not on a full hookup like we are at the Mansfield GMCMI rally.
I suspect this could be done with some type of automated temperature sensing switch but that is past my skill level at this time.
I'm going to do something like this on our SOB. The hot water heater is 20' away and we have the same problem with only so much capacity. Putting perfectly good water into the gray tank just wastes the capacity.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: Best idea yet [message #308323 is a reply to message #308301] |
Wed, 05 October 2016 21:23  |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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That idea has been used for years in many commercial and hotel buildings where the water is not heated by electric. When the have electric heat they simply put the heater(s) right at the fixture.
In our shop and hangars at the airport we use gas heat for water and our recirculating hot water in floor room radiant heat. When we draw hot water out of the system for sink and shower usage, we always have instant hot water since it is always recirculating for the in floor stuff. In the summer it becomes a little less efficient since we are not heating the floor and the recirculation is not occurring.
Keep in mind that constantly recirculating water to keep it warm will cost you a lot of heat loss in the system. You will not care if your heat source is the engine of the coach while going down the road since that heat is basically free. When parked you are going to have to pay for that heat loss either in propane or electric.
Also do not recirculate back to the main water tank, but only circulate back to the water heater tank. Otherwise you will end up with a main water tank full of warm or hot water and not have any cold water available at the faucets.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Best idea yet [message #308329 is a reply to message #308328] |
Thu, 06 October 2016 00:27 |
Hal StClair
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Karma: -12
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Senior Member |
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The system I designed used a 12 volt solenoid valve with a temperature switch to shut off the valve when the temperature reached 120 degrees. Simple to do if you can access the water line close to the shower mixing valve and get a line back to the tank. We saved about two quarts of water doing this in a SOB.
Hal
"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane."
1977 Royale 101348,
1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,
Rio Rancho, NM
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| Re: Best idea yet [message #308330 is a reply to message #308301] |
Thu, 06 October 2016 00:33 |
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John Heslinga
Messages: 632
Registered: February 2011
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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Kerry
Check out this link of photos.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6024-water-saver-hot-recycle.html
John and Cathie Heslinga
1974 Canyonlands 260
455, Manny tranny and 1 ton, 3:70 LS,
Red Seal Journeyman, DTE, BEd. MEd.
Edmonton, Alberta
[Updated on: Thu, 06 October 2016 00:35] Report message to a moderator |
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