Forum Discussion

robatthelake's avatar
robatthelake
Explorer
Jul 17, 2019

In search of a heater !

This isn’t a commercial, but rather a request for links or websites where I might locate some sort of heat transfer device that I can install in place of the engine heated portion of a now replaced water heater to heat the inside of my Motorhome while underway!

Long story short. I replaced a wonderful Ten Gallon Water Heater which had a copper coil that circulated Engine Heat to the Fresh Water Heating tank with a less costly Gas Only 12 Gallon Water Heater .
The resulting Supply of Engine heated Water is just running through a rubber Pipe which is really a waste!
What I would like to do is add in line and under the Kitchen counter a Bus Type Heater to provide an easily controlled heat source to the main living area of the Motorhome.

I can’t seem to find a ready source for this type of heater!
  • Why not get a long thin transmission cooler run the water through that and just put a fan behind it so when you want the heat just turn on the fan.
  • RoyB wrote:
    This is one I was really looking at to replace my way too hot Propane Furnace for my off-road camper...


    google image

    I would create a couple of heat zones and use the hot water from hot water heater setup...

    Aqua Hot has a slightly bigger model 200 as well... I also found a baseboard mounted heater you can run hot water thru it...

    google image

    Something like this idea perhaps... This is as far as I got with this project but it has merit... For the smaller POPUPs and TT trailers maybe...

    A Camper up in the northern parts of the USA came up with this idea and said it worked out great for him... Since the HOT WATER FLOW is in a closed loop it didn't require a whole lot of use of his propane to keep the water hot...


    Roy's image

    Just passing along giving you ideas??? I think this is called hydronic heating haha... A whole bunch of us was talking about this a few years back... It is so simply it's crazy...

    I'm still working on my Battery upgrade haha...

    Roy Ken


    I've been gathering info on parts and products to do this very mod to my rig. How cool to see someone else is on the same track. Makes me feel like I'm onto a reasonable thought process. I'd logged info on food safe recirculation pump and heat exchanger. Now I'm a little more pumped up on the idea. My biggest hurdle was trying to find a fan or blower that used less than 2a/hr but still moved sufficient air.
  • This is something I'd like to try in my RV, one of these days.

    One thing that my mind ponders on, is using heat exchangers not approved for potable water.

    I don't drink a lot of hot water, but I do use it for cooking, showering, hygiene, etc. I thought maybe a computer cooling radiator would be safer, since they have to comply with ROHS, so lead free solder, etc.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    This is one I was really looking at to replace my way too hot Propane Furnace for my off-road camper...


    google image

    I would create a couple of heat zones and use the hot water from hot water heater setup...

    Aqua Hot has a slightly bigger model 200 as well... I also found a baseboard mounted heater you can run hot water thru it...

    google image

    Something like this idea perhaps... This is as far as I got with this project but it has merit... For the smaller POPUPs and TT trailers maybe...

    A Camper up in the northern parts of the USA came up with this idea and said it worked out great for him... Since the HOT WATER FLOW is in a closed loop it didn't require a whole lot of use of his propane to keep the water hot...


    Roy's image

    Just passing along giving you ideas??? I think this is called hydronic heating haha... A whole bunch of us was talking about this a few years back... It is so simply it's crazy...

    I'm still working on my Battery upgrade haha...

    Roy Ken
  • JaxDad's avatar
    JaxDad
    Explorer III
    Princess Auto, there’s one in Victoria.

    Fantastic customer service and product in store so you can get hands on before buying.

    I’ve bought a few of them from PA for aux heating in snow removal equipment. I even put one on a wood splitter so there’s an extra source of cooling in hot weather and a hand warmed / glove drier in cold wet weather.

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