Hot Water!

Take a look at this. I was looking at tankless hot water heaters and came across this product. I'm a little concerned about the 30 amp plug needed, but an interesting idea. Anyone use it? Have any ideas?

http://rv-tankless-water-heater.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=1898492


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCZADrWCJvQ

23 amps for just this heater would take almost all of the current available to the Cat. It looks like a good idea but I'm afraid it would require an RV with a 50 amp service.

The tankless is the greatest. We installed one at home to do the whole house. It is propane however. I wouldn't bother unless you can run it on a separate service. You can get an adapter that can combine a 20A & a 30A park service to get a 50A if no 50A is available

I like the idea, but the cord in the shower is something I'm unsure of. Maybe I'll find someone that has one and find out more info.

MaxRock wrote:23 amps for just this heater would take almost all of the current available to the Cat. It looks like a good idea but I'm afraid it would require an RV with a 50 amp service.

Or more! The big rig 50A service generally is just enough for two A/C units, and all the goodies in the coach. So, what to do? Easiest way would be to isolate the 30A circuit for the tankless unit and plug it into the 30A receptical on the power tower. Then, get the 50A to 30A adapter and plug the coaches 30A power service cord into that and let the unit's 30A main breaker be the protection.

I'm not sold on the adapters that combine the 30A & 20A to make a 50A circuit. The 20A is always going to go first if the current draw gets too high. Unless there's something I'm missing here like some electronic wizardry in the adapter. JMHO.

Mike,
my thought was to run the shower cord outside and do as you mentioned. I was only going to plug it in when we take a shower...or I should say, my wife takes a shower. I have plenty of hot water. I'm still looking for users of this thing. We will see.
Mark

Keep in mind a 50A RV plug is two separate poles @ 120V/50A each pole (to ground). The total power 2* 120 * 50= 12000W. A 120V/30A RV plug is only 3600W (120*30).

If you convert the 30A to 50A, you'd have more than enough power. The 50A service also gives you the ability to run 240V when you tie the two hot poles together.

Oops, everyone just went cross eyed.

jetskier wrote:Keep in mind a 50A RV plug is two separate poles @ 120V/50A each pole (to ground). The total power 2* 120 * 50= 12000W. A 120V/30A RV plug is only 3600W (120*30).

If you convert the 30A to 50A, you'd have more than enough power. The 50A service also gives you the ability to run 240V when you tie the two hot poles together.

Oops, everyone just went cross eyed.

I'm still cross eyed and I thought I had a fairly decent understanding of electricity

When I ordered some electrical part from this company:

http://www.burnstines.com/

I talked to the sales manager (I think his name was Tom) and he said they do have 50 amp panels that will fit into our Wildcat. He said it would just be a swap-out, but I would have to replace the 30 amp power cord with a 50 amp cord.

Since just replaced my 30 amp pullout cord with the Marinco twist lock, I wasn't interested in swapping it out at the time.

If anyone is interested in it finding out more, here is their number, 1-800-776-6728.

Probably this....

http://www.burnstines.com/xantrex-converter-load-center-50a-ac-to-dc-xadc.html

WFCO made the one I have (at least what came with it)

http://www.wfcoelectronics.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=50

Jetskier,

You upgraded to 50 amp????? When did you do that, was it hard or time consuming?

No I haven't yet. Converting mine would be easy. The 10-2 is routed in the storage area under the lower bunks in the wire loom. It'd be easy to run 8-3 from the wall socket to the panel location. I've already rewired the 30A panel to isolate some circuits when I'm on the inverter.

I'd only need it if I added the second AC in the bedroom. Haven't felt the need yet. My generator is rated at 45.8A (30amp and 20amp circuits). It could power two AC units easily. There have been plenty of times the 15k unit didn't drop the temp below 88°F in the desert. That's when I wish I had it.

Maybe next year.

Have you though about a LP tankless water heater like this one

http://www.tanklesshq.com/servlet/the-17/32G-16-LP-Gas/Detail

I am going to be fulltiming in my Wildcat for awhile for work and am thinking of replacing the water heater with a tankless big enough for the whole trailer.

Rick A,
I looked at those and did some reading on the net. Seems to be a question of water pressure needed for these units. I'd like to use one but cannot find info about use in RV's. Will they fit,etc. I'm still looking.
Mmiller

Rick,

That looks like a viable alternative. Mmiller, keep us in the loop on what you find out WRT the water pressure needed!

Instant how water would be great. I think we'd still need a tank type water heater on gas in the event we don't have electricity.

I'd like to go tankless in the bedroom wing of our house.... it's a long way from there to the water heater.

Tater