Tankless water heater upgrade

[RvNewbieFl]

Thoughts on the Girard Tankless Water Heater. Girard GSHW-2 from pplmotorhomes. Com....... After tent camping all my life. I thought finally being able to afford my own rv.. would mean private hot showers. Granted I haven't actually showered in mine yet. But 6 gallons just doesn't seem like alot. So because im just starting out. Seems worth it to drop $500.00 to $1000. Extra right off the start for endless hot water. I bought a 2011 primetime lacrosse 318BHS. Although the interior is in perfect condition. I've already started thinking about removing the couch and dinette anyway. So what's alittle more demo at this point... right... thoughts anyone?...

[ScottG]

I did a bit of research on these today and found that both Girard and the newer, Suburban 5132A IW60 (which is 50% more powerful than the Girard) have a note in the instructions to not use the valve on your shower head. The heaters just cant put up with interrupting flow and will even throw a fault code sometimes.
So at least for us, they still aren't perfected yet.

[RvNewbieFl]

https://youtu.be/cGmP2cVmLWM

Better video on tankless hot water install....

[RvNewbieFl]

https://youtu.be/rzCrD14pyRo

Video on tankless hot water heater, and review...

[hohenwald48]

RvNewbieFl wrote:
... Spending that much time there with only navy showers, ...

What makes you think navy showers are necessary? The only time we are restricted to navy showers is when we have to ration water or gray tank capacity. At a full hook up site normal showers are, well, the norm. With the water heater on electric and gas the recovery time is right quick and we never have had a problem with a shortage of hot water. You are likely implementing an expensive solution for a problem that doesn't exist.

It sounds like you have already made up your mind but I suspect that if you would give it a try you'd find a better use for $1,000. You might want to consider how fast you might run thru propane with an endless supply of hot water. I have no idea what their propane consumption rate might be.

[DutchmenSport]

LIKE2BUILD wrote:

RvNewbieFl wrote:
Thoughts on the Girard Tankless Water Heater. I thought finally being able to afford my own rv.. would mean private hot showers...... endless hot water.

Endless hot water also means the need for endless fresh and grey tank capacity. Unless you're at a full hookup site you'll run through your fresh and fill your grey tank in a hurry.

KJ

This was my first thought too. I read through all the posts wondering if someone would bring up tank capacity. If you are not on full hook-up, you ARE limited to the size of your tanks. Fresh water and grey water tank. In that case, your water is NOT endless!

[LIKE2BUILD]

RvNewbieFl wrote:
Thoughts on the Girard Tankless Water Heater. I thought finally being able to afford my own rv.. would mean private hot showers...... endless hot water.

Endless hot water also means the need for endless fresh and grey tank capacity. Unless you're at a full hookup site you'll run through your fresh and fill your grey tank in a hurry.

KJ

[ScottG]

pconroy328 wrote:
So there will be scores of opinions on these things.
But, we've got one.

Old motorhome had an Atwood 6 gallon. New one has a Gen II Girard tankless.

Our opinion is that, if you're hooked up to city water, they are great. There was a small learning curve, and it's hiccupped on us a couple of times, but we like it.

Please share more details. Do you have problems if using it with the water pump? Any other little tid-bits you can share.
For one reason, we have an disabled adult child we have to bath and a demand heater would be very convenient.
If possible, could you give us the model number?
I really want to go this route next time if it's doable.

Thanks!

[Old-Biscuit]

First off....
RV water heaters heat water to higher then normal temps (Suburban/130*F & Atwood/140*F)
Water in tank is HOT and then you mix cold at faucet to moderate the end use temp.
Hence the HOT water lasts longer.
Plus you can shorten recovery time by using the electric element and the propane simultaneously.

6 gallons of HOT water is adequate for showering, hand washing, dishes etc.
You just will not have an endless supply.

RV shower head/hose have flow restrictors for water conservation.
Remove them (or use 1/4" drill bit to enlarge) for better showering experience

[RvNewbieFl]

Also... I already booked back to back locations for the month of September in The Keys.. John Pennekamp, Bahia Honda, and Long Key... Spending that much time there with only navy showers, and an uncomfortable couch and dinette' doesn't sound fun at all. Granted I have not used the shower yet. A selling feature was that the current set up can run off propane or electric. As well as the fregerator. However i didn't buy a 2 bedroom travel trailer to travel alone. Eventually I'm sure it will be more than just me using it also...

[GordonThree]

A valve and line that let the hot water heater dump back into the fresh water tank could solve the pre-heat issue, if only Elkhart would spend the extra $5 to put that in.

my tank water heater tank is 5 ft from my shower and it still takes forever to deliver hot water... a half gallon or so goes into a bucket before the hot water arrives

[RvNewbieFl]

pconroy328 wrote:
So there will be scores of opinions on these things.
But, we've got one.

Old motorhome had an Atwood 6 gallon. New one has a Gen II Girard tankless.

Our opinion is that, if you're hooked up to city water, they are great. There was a small learning curve, and it's hiccupped on us a couple of times, but we like it.

Very curious about what the small learning curve is?..... ive never had a rv before or used a tankless water heater before. However this old dog can definitely learn new tricks. Instructions preferred, but not required... lol

[pconroy328]

So there will be scores of opinions on these things.
But, we've got one.

Old motorhome had an Atwood 6 gallon. New one has a Gen II Girard tankless.

Our opinion is that, if you're hooked up to city water, they are great. There was a small learning curve, and it's hiccupped on us a couple of times, but we like it.

[byrdr1]

try an oxygenator shower head too.
read the reviews for these. We have one ad I can take a nice long 6 gallon shower. NOT like my S&B but very good for a camper.
randy

[Lwiddis]

" Granted I haven't actually showered in mine yet. But 6 gallons just doesn't seem like a lot"

Its enough for me and dish washing. In fact I turn it off midway through dish washing and then shower. Give it a try before replacing.

[RvNewbieFl]

I don't really plan on doing any boondocking personally... So constant water shouldn't be a problem.. I really didn't picture "navy showers" in the rv. After tent camping all my life. I pictured long, hot, private showers in the rv. I just don't think I'm going to be happy with 6 gallons. I've already sank this much money into buying the thing. I might as well sink alittle more right off the bat for something i will greatly enjoy for as long I keep this. The interior is perfect. But I noticed in my dry run.. (driveway camping) after awhile the couch and dinette are just uncomfortable. So im thinking of gutting those and starting over anyways. Why not go the full mile for optimal performance. This is definitely happening. I just was curious, who else has done this and anything they can recommend. I'm not reinventing the wheel, I'm positive im not the only one who's thought about this. I should probably look at how the more expensive coaches did theirs, and what type they used. I would gladly pay more then a $1000 if i had to... but the units themselves aren't priced that bad. It's the install that's going to get me, I might need to pay someone. I've built airplanes my whole life tho, so it might be within my knowledge to figure out. Besides with the problem I originally had with the squirrel. I know how most of the wiring, ect is set up now. So im feeling more confident. *** adapt and overcome **