Tankless water heater recommendations?

[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?

 

[CaptSquid]

I went the German route. A 5 litre and a 30 litre boiler, both 220 V electric.

 

[ThunderstruckStudios]

I've been very happy with the Ecotemp L10

https://www.amazon.com/Eccotemp-L10-Portable-Outdoor-Tankless/dp/B002JLSH5S


It does need to vent, but you can slap an elbow on there and run the vent in any direction you like.

 

[Alan N]

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.

 

[milkmania]

I've been very happy with the Ecotemp L10

https://www.amazon.com/Eccotemp-L10-Portable-Outdoor-Tankless/dp/B002JLSH5S


It does need to vent, but you can slap an elbow on there and run the vent in any direction you like.

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

 

[Tango-SKO]

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.

 

[johnbloem1974]

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

 

[Tango-SKO]

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.

 

[mrpincher]

Thanks

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.

Thanks for this post. I'm going this same route with a tankless and I've not seen anything better.



Cheers Mike

 

[johnbloem1974]

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.

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

 

[DSchwiz]

Thanks so much for the link and recommendations! Added to the shopping list!

 

[Big Skies]

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

Where did you mount this? I want to hide mine away but I'm concerned about how much heat it will give off

 

[johnbloem1974]

I put mine under the sink area - enough open space where heat not an issue.

 

[Trail Fairy]

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!

 

[DT Rutledge]

Thank you all for the suggestions.

 

[golfersmurf57]

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?

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.

 

[o1marc]

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.

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.

 

[BlackJohn]

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.

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

 

[DT Rutledge]

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.

Many of the newer ones take 2 D cell batteries for ignition, that's it.

 

[golfersmurf57]

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.

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.