Instant water heaters, do they work?

[drummertom]

Sent: 5/8/2006

I am thinking about installing a couple of those instant water heaters. They make one that replaces your shower head and then I was thinking about putting one of the tank-less ones in the back in place of my current leaking water heater. Anyone had any experience with either? Thoughts one way or the other?

[salplmb]

Sent: 5/8/2006

i also have been thinking about such a heater. they make one to replace the water heater in a RV. its called the RV-500. its a lp instant heater. I'm a plumbing contractor and these things are all the rage for smaller homes. it is really ideal for small applications as this. there is one problem with this set up. you will have to run water at the faucet first before you get hot water. not a big deal when hooked up but if boon-docking a lot could be a factor. one other thing to consider. with these instant heaters they are self regulating as far as temp. and gas valve. that means with a little modification with a recirculating pump you could use this also to run your heater in your rig. set up like the heater from the cooling system on the engine. much more efficient than running a scorched air furnace with less space. these units are not to cheap but i think they could really add to the comfort of these old rigs.
sal

[Clyde9]

Here is a link to the RV-500 On Demand Water Heater. Several folks out here where I live have them and they work fine.
http://www.houseneeds.com/shop/HeatingProducts/WaterHeating/rv/rv500waterheatermainpage.htm

Jack

[4winds]

Really pricey but they do work.  One of my neighbors -when I was in Tn-installed one in his 5th wheel and had all the hot water anyone could use.  He got it off craigslist and didn't cost but 400 dollars.

[TommyM]

Look here:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/browse/rv-appliances.aspx?c=90&s=726
(notice that there are two models).

And here is the link to the manufacturer's page -- the two models above are the L5 and L10.  You can click to get owner's manual .pdf's.

http://www.eccotemp.com/  I hope that helps.

Tommy