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06-28-2018, 07:21 PM
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#1
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 50
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Tankless water heater recommendations?
I am searching for a reasonably priced propane fired tankless water heater that is ventless, or that vents horizontally that will fit in the belly storage area in my '97 Thomas RE. There are some pretty nice units out there, like the Girard, for $500 and up, but I was hoping to go cheaper. Any suggestions?
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06-28-2018, 07:34 PM
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#2
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Billings, MT
Posts: 1,269
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: Cat C7
Rated Cap: 84 passenger
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I went the German route. A 5 litre and a 30 litre boiler, both 220 V electric.
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07-16-2018, 02:42 PM
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#3
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Almost There
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Posts: 71
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I've been very happy with the Ecotemp L10
https://www.amazon.com/Eccotemp-L10-.../dp/B002JLSH5S
It does need to vent, but you can slap an elbow on there and run the vent in any direction you like.
__________________
Professionally converting vehicles and making custom furniture with a combined 14 years of mechanical/electrical engineering experience.
https://www.thunderstruck-studios.com/
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07-16-2018, 09:43 PM
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#4
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Gonvick MN
Posts: 339
Year: 1975
Chassis: Gillig
Engine: Cat 3208t/10 speed transmission
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I have used the cheapo Marey brand for 10 years now.
No problems unless you let it freeze, but that's what you call operator headspace.
There are some pictures somewhere on this forum of an on demand heater mounted so that access to the unit and the venting is through a panel on the outside of the bus. If I was to convert another bus I would probably mount the water heater that way instead of just hanging it on the wall like I have now.
Some folks on this and other forums get really carried away with the venting of this type of heater, but if you think about when and how often the thing burns compared to a propane cookstove or catalytic space heater neither of which are usually vented at all you might not worry about it too much.
__________________
Remove hence to yonder place....
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07-16-2018, 10:25 PM
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#5
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Oklahoma aka "God's blind spot"
Posts: 2,446
Year: 1989
Coachwork: 1853FC International/Navistar
Chassis: 35' Retired Air Force Ambulance
Engine: DT466, MT643
Rated Cap: 6 souls and a driver
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ThunderstruckStudios
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few weeks ago, had problem with my L5...
went to Eccotemp's website and used their chat feature. Bryan helped me with checking some things, emailed me some pdf files of settings to try. Had me up and running in 15 minutes. and checked back with me the next day
All in all... I'll go back with Eccotemp, when needed
__________________
I once complained I had no shoes....
Until I met a man with no feet
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07-17-2018, 09:32 AM
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#6
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
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I think I'm gonna go with this little guy...
TANKLESS GAS WATER HEATER "Low Water Pressure" Startup Technology
I've heard good feedback, don't need much output and like the super low flow. Should save on water. And the "ventless" aspect is also appealing. Not a big fan of punching holes in the roof.
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07-17-2018, 10:07 AM
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#7
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Montana/Texas
Posts: 682
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Crown by Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: 230 HP DT 466e/MT 643!
Rated Cap: 16
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I have the same one, Tango, and I LOVE it!! Works great, hot water all day! A little bit of heat out the top, but nothing crazy. Just make sure there's plenty of space around it...
John
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07-17-2018, 10:15 AM
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#8
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
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Good to hear John. Same thing others have told me. I figure that since it only makes heat while the water is actually running, it can't pump that much into the space.
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07-17-2018, 11:38 AM
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#9
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Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Amarillo Tx
Posts: 142
Year: 1999
Coachwork: International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444EIEIO
Rated Cap: 8 window?
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Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango
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Thanks for this post. I'm going this same route with a tankless and I've not seen anything better.
Cheers Mike
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07-17-2018, 12:08 PM
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#10
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Montana/Texas
Posts: 682
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Crown by Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: 230 HP DT 466e/MT 643!
Rated Cap: 16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango
Good to hear John. Same thing others have told me. I figure that since it only makes heat while the water is actually running, it can't pump that much into the space.
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Exactly! No more than an RV stove/oven would, and we don't normally vent those!
We've really learned to love the spark and Whoosh! Noise when you turn on the water and the unit kicks on! ;)
John
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07-17-2018, 03:27 PM
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#11
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 17
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Thanks so much for the link and recommendations! Added to the shopping list!
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08-01-2018, 11:47 AM
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#12
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnbloem1974
Exactly! No more than an RV stove/oven would, and we don't normally vent those!
We've really learned to love the spark and Whoosh! Noise when you turn on the water and the unit kicks on! ;)
John
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Where did you mount this? I want to hide mine away but I'm concerned about how much heat it will give off
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08-01-2018, 10:27 PM
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#13
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Montana/Texas
Posts: 682
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Crown by Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: 230 HP DT 466e/MT 643!
Rated Cap: 16
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I put mine under the sink area - enough open space where heat not an issue.
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08-01-2018, 10:48 PM
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#14
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Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: SE WI
Posts: 118
Year: 2002
Coachwork: American Transportation Corp
Chassis: International 3000
Engine: International T 444E
Rated Cap: 71 pass., 12 window
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We have a tankless water heater in our 2 story house. Love, love, love it. Would totally recommend for a skoolie. You'll love it too!
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08-02-2018, 10:03 AM
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#15
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 50
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Thank you all for the suggestions.
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08-03-2018, 03:59 PM
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#16
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 386
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DT Rutledge
I am searching for a reasonably priced propane fired tankless water heater that is ventless, or that vents horizontally that will fit in the belly storage area in my '97 Thomas RE. There are some pretty nice units out there, like the Girard, for $500 and up, but I was hoping to go cheaper. Any suggestions?
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I'm with you dt! I want something cheap. My question is this. Do these tankless propane units require an electrical hookup? Power on a skoolie is always at a premium. I'm hoping to find one like on the older rv's light the pilot and it vents out side of the body although I can't remember if they needed power to run.
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08-03-2018, 05:51 PM
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#17
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by golfersmurf57
I'm with you dt! I want something cheap. My question is this. Do these tankless propane units require an electrical hookup? Power on a skoolie is always at a premium. I'm hoping to find one like on the older rv's light the pilot and it vents out side of the body although I can't remember if they needed power to run.
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Some of the newer gas tankless heaters require no electrical hookup.
I would never have an appliance in my bus that started from a pilot light.
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08-03-2018, 08:20 PM
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#18
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Picton,Ont, Can.
Posts: 1,956
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: GMC
Engine: Cat 3116
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by golfersmurf57
I'm with you dt! I want something cheap. My question is this. Do these tankless propane units require an electrical hookup? Power on a skoolie is always at a premium. I'm hoping to find one like on the older rv's light the pilot and it vents out side of the body although I can't remember if they needed power to run.
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Those older rv water heaters need 12v for ignition and then it goes off once high fire is achieved.
So feed a switch, run to the heater and you are done.
Safe and easy but not really huge tanks, 6 gallons is what mine is. But I'm not in any hurry ever.
John
__________________
Question everything!
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08-03-2018, 08:22 PM
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#19
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 50
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Quote:
Originally Posted by golfersmurf57
I'm with you dt! I want something cheap. My question is this. Do these tankless propane units require an electrical hookup? Power on a skoolie is always at a premium. I'm hoping to find one like on the older rv's light the pilot and it vents out side of the body although I can't remember if they needed power to run.
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Many of the newer ones take 2 D cell batteries for ignition, that's it.
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08-03-2018, 10:10 PM
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#20
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 386
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc
Some of the newer gas tankless heaters require no electrical hookup.
I would never have an appliance in my bus that started from a pilot light.
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Just trying to cut my power needs to a mimimum. Going with gas 12V fridge preferably with rocks for my scotch. Try to keep gen set usage down.
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