Tankless water heater

[64thunderbolt]

For those who dry camp I have done field testing on a new tankless heater for Truma corp. Test unit was installed in the spring and I used it several times throughout the summer. They are on the market now. In Nov they installed the production unit. This is one of the best mods I have ever done to a toy hauler. It has saved me approx 50% in propane use. I have taken showers as I do @ home letting it run continuously for 10/15 min and there was never a change in temp. No more reheating the tankful of water over & over. No more waiting for enough hot water. It is propane only and is absolutely wonderful for dry camping.

[funpilot]

itguy08 wrote:

KenMast wrote:

However, this keeps the wife happy. That makes it a necessity and well worth it. I love it too.

That right there makes it worth whatever they are charging! 🙂

That is why I installed it. Had nothing to do with any ROI but rather a lifestyle choice. We simply did not want "camping showers."

[itguy08]

KenMast wrote:

However, this keeps the wife happy. That makes it a necessity and well worth it. I love it too.

That right there makes it worth whatever they are charging! 🙂

[KenMast]

I didn't get the Truma to save money. I know that I spent more than most to get it. For me, it's a luxurary and well worth it. Don't we all spend impractical amounts on things that we want?

However, this keeps the wife happy. That makes it a necessity and well worth it. I love it too.

[itguy08]

Charlie D. wrote:
I wonder how one can justify the cost of one of those things. There does not appear to me that there is a payback. I, like many, use electric when available. Running the heater for an additional 10 minutes or so would reheat the water enough for a second person.

There's not any meaningful payback in any meaningful time for a tankless, in the home or RV. Unless you take hour long showers your propane use will be minimal in both.

A tankless for the home costs at LEAST $1k. A tanked unit $3-500. I can buy a LOT of natural gas for $5-700! As it is now our tank style natural gas unit fires maybe 2x a day for a few minutes when we are not using it. Our gas bills in the summer (only the HWH, clothes dryer and stove) are under $30, most of that the distribution charges.

So if you need the space or lots of hot water, a tankless makes sense. Otherwise they don't "save" as much as you think.

[64thunderbolt]

SparkDr wrote:
"BUT as I was field testing the unit I was called everything under the sun."

Good for you on a bit of redemption. I would encourage anyone with an ounce of humilty to go back and re-read the first few pages of this tread. To say you were treated unfairly would be an understatement. The sheer amount of ignorance and grandstanding being purveyed as genuine knowledge is laughable as people chime in and pile on without a full understanding of how a tankless water heater operates. Having sold and installed hundreds of tankless water heaters, I would consider myself somewhat of an expert on them by now, but there's nothing to be gained by engaging in many of the knuckleheaded comments I've seen here.

It was tough but I realize that some think their way is best. I was reluctant but doing the field testing proved me wrong. Dry camping I have saved on propane. I only shared my experiences & thoughts. Had nothing to gain if anyone bought one or not. just thought some may have been interested. As you can see, I do not post hardly at all anymore. I know about rv'ing. Been doing it a long time so I just come to look around once in a while.

[64thunderbolt]

The dry camp crowd like me will bebefit more than one that only camps with hookups. 17 yrs & I have been in a campgroung 4 times. So this heater & solar have saved me money. Even with hookups you can take as long of shower as desired.

[Charlie_D_]

I wonder how one can justify the cost of one of those things. There does not appear to me that there is a payback. I, like many, use electric when available. Running the heater for an additional 10 minutes or so would reheat the water enough for a second person.

[SparkDr]

"BUT as I was field testing the unit I was called everything under the sun."

Good for you on a bit of redemption. I would encourage anyone with an ounce of humilty to go back and re-read the first few pages of this tread. To say you were treated unfairly would be an understatement. The sheer amount of ignorance and grandstanding being purveyed as genuine knowledge is laughable as people chime in and pile on without a full understanding of how a tankless water heater operates. Having sold and installed hundreds of tankless water heaters, I would consider myself somewhat of an expert on them by now, but there's nothing to be gained by engaging in many of the knuckleheaded comments I've seen here.

[64thunderbolt]

when first released it was $1199.00 plus install by authorized dealer. Not sure what the program is now. Have you checked their site?

[quasi]

Can I ask what was the total cost for your installation? We're going to retire in 372 days (but who's counting) and become long-timers. The Truma product has been on my radar for some time now.
Thanx,
Jim

[64thunderbolt]

KenMast wrote:
I had the Truma Comfort installed about a month ago, but we're taking our first trip with it now. For those wondering how the Truma performs, here is our experience so far.

The wife just took a shower and washed her hair. As soon as she jumped out, I jumped in. Together, we took a 21 minute shower with very HOT water the whole time. Wonderful shower!!

From the time I turned the unit on, it was about 15 seconds before we had hot water flowing thru the pipes.

FYI, a great investment.

Ken

Same results I have had. BUT as I was field testing the unit I was called everything under the sun. Glad you posted, it solidifies my orig comments. I love mine. Just spent 6 days in Northern Az. with night time temps in mid 50's. Performed exactly as advertised. Glad you like it.

[BoonHauler]

Ken:

Thanks for the update, these tankless units (most of them) are the way to roll.

Cee

[KenMast]

I had the Truma Comfort installed about a month ago, but we're taking our first trip with it now. For those wondering how the Truma performs, here is our experience so far.

The wife just took a shower and washed her hair. As soon as she jumped out, I jumped in. Together, we took a 21 minute shower with very HOT water the whole time. Wonderful shower!!

From the time I turned the unit on, it was about 15 seconds before we had hot water flowing thru the pipes.

FYI, a great investment.

Ken

[funpilot]

BoonHauler wrote:

funpilot wrote:
I am not sure if the units are really made in the USA, but my research led me to believe that the second best units are PrecisionTemps. I could not find any claim that they are made in the USA but I know they have design patents. Biggest difference is that they require a minimum of 1.5 gallons per minute water flow and the Truma can go down to less than 0.5 GPM I believe. Not sure if it matters, but the PrecisionTemps BTUs are 55,000 while the Truma's are 60,000.

http://www.precisiontemp.com/rv-500-tankless-water-heater/

FunPilot, you're wrong on the flow rate, the Precision Temp unit needs a flow rate of 0.5 GPM to start the burner, not 1.5

It's the same for the Truma's unit.

I went back and looked. You are correct. It is the same. Here is what I read that made me think 1.5 was the minimum:

"At a flow of 1.5 gpm, it can provide shower-temperature water with incoming temperatures as low as 40 degrees. A 20 pound tank of propane will provide approximately 940 gallons of shower temperature water. Whether camping in an RV or trailer, at a horse show, or relaxing at your vacation cabin, hot water is always there for your enjoyment."

http://www.precisiontemp.com/rv-500-tankless-water-heater/

[BoonHauler]

funpilot wrote:
I am not sure if the units are really made in the USA, but my research led me to believe that the second best units are PrecisionTemps. I could not find any claim that they are made in the USA but I know they have design patents. Biggest difference is that they require a minimum of 1.5 gallons per minute water flow and the Truma can go down to less than 0.5 GPM I believe. Not sure if it matters, but the PrecisionTemps BTUs are 55,000 while the Truma's are 60,000.

http://www.precisiontemp.com/rv-500-tankless-water-heater/

FunPilot, you're wrong on the flow rate, the Precision Temp unit needs a flow rate of 0.5 GPM to start the burner, not 1.5

It's the same for the Truma's unit.