Zodi water heaters

[rabiznick]

I'm toying with the idea of adapting one of these for permanent use. Possibly feeding it from a tempering tank to let the water get as warm as possible on it's own before being fed to the heater. Maybe even a solar coil on the roof to preheat.
I was wondering if any of you folks have any first hand experience with these units and could offer any insight. http://www.zodi.com
Thanks, Russ

[Elliot Naess]

Hmmm... interrrresting. You might want to spend a couple of enjoyable hours on
the Burning Man web site. http://www.burningman.com Their board, called ePlaya,
has a long thread about showers.

[oldog12]

I worry about CO too much

[rabiznick]

What I have in mind is a slideout unit to the outside, kinda like a pullout pantry cabinet in a kitchen. A black colored water tank on the bottom with the heater unit above so that it exhausts to the air. Flexible supply lines for the travel. I'm sure the configuration will work. I am mainly interested in any first hand performance experience with the heaters. I know they are only rated for so much "rise" in temp over the incoming water. The manufacturer suggests running the water back thru the supply box to increase temp. That is why I am figuring that a solar pre-heat of some sort should work well.
I'm spoiled and like longer showers, but just cant justify $899.00 for an RV-500.
Russ

[oldog12]

RV-500 ..... OOooooohhh yeah baby !!!

Wish Santa had gotten my letter in time, instead all I got was a crummy T-shirt.

[Les Lampman]

For around $500 or so you could get a 20-gallon (or even a 28-gallon) stainless marine water heater. It will heat from the engine when running or from AC power when plugged in.

There are several brands, here's just one link:

http://www.seawardproducts.com/waterhtr.htm

[the_experience03]

I know regular household water heaters aren't rated for this duty, but what ill effects can people forsee with using a small gas fired model? I plan solar water heat, but that's not always the most reliable means of heating water. Sure...there are always campground and truckstop showers, but I sure would like to have hot water on board anyway. Will the angles or vibrations kill one quickly?

[Roasting8]

I know regular household water heaters aren't rated for this duty, but what ill effects can people forsee with using a small gas fired model? I plan solar water heat, but that's not always the most reliable means of heating water. Sure...there are always campground and truckstop showers, but I sure would like to have hot water on board anyway. Will the angles or vibrations kill one quickly?

I know that the strato-cruiser group uses the smaller electric home water heaters (they only connect one leg of the 220 VAC), but I haven't heard of anyone using a gas one.

I would suspect that you would probably have to get different jets for propane.

[KC10Chief]

http://www.jcwhitney.com sells Atwood water heaters for RV's. You can get a 10 gallon that is electrically and gas heated for $400. That's the way to go right there. They're easy to install and you can get a nice long shower out of one. I had an Atwood 6 gallon water heater that was only heated by gas. I could get a 5 or 6 minute hot shower out of that one. The ones that are electrically and gas heated are a lot better though. My uncle has one that's heated by both and is only 6 gallons. He says it takes a while to run out of hot water. For only $70 more, you can get the 10 gallon and hot water will last you a while. Can't beat that deal for only $400. Here's a link

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Prod ... 20/c-10107

[eggman]

I bought the Atwood 10 gallon water heater off of ebay and got it for around $230-240. Might want to check there. I dont know how it works yet, havent installed it.