It's coming soon - hot water recirculating system. |
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wildfire305
Groupie Joined: 22 Jul 2014 Location: Erlanger, KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 85 |
Topic: It's coming soon - hot water recirculating system. Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 12:13pm |
Coming this spring, I intend to do a full hot water recirculating on demand system with temperature limiting control (since the water heater is set to 140). I am a licensed master plumber who hates to see water wasted down to the grey tank and out of the fresh tank waiting for hot water to reach the faucet all the way to the back of my 179. The recirculating system will be less than $100 and be fully automatic at the push of a button with no permanent modifications to the camper. The temperature control will cost about the same and will require modification.
I'm in the process of engineering it now and am looking for advice from others who have already done such a thing. After I make it I intend to do a full instructional post with pictures. I know you CAN catch the cold water in a pan and use it for tea/coffee. But, I must tinker. |
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2005 Dodge Durango 4.7 V8
OLD Tow Vehicle 2004 Honda Odyssey 2015 RP179 "73b" OLD 2005 Viking Saga 2480ST popup |
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Sandpiper
Newbie Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3 |
Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 12:30pm |
I added an instant hot water system in our home ( for one bathroom) and it was pretty simple. It was a WATTS system. A link to the description is http://www.watts.com/pages/whatsnew/IHWRS.asp
I'm sure you would have no trouble at all installing this. I think I paid $160 or so and had a plumber install the pump for a small charge on the water heater. We love it and don't waste all that cold water waiting for the hot water to get to the faucet. |
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wildfire305
Groupie Joined: 22 Jul 2014 Location: Erlanger, KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 85 |
Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 12:33pm |
Forgot to mention my system will be run on 12 volt not house power like most of the systems are made for. I don't always have hookups and that is when it is even more important not to waste any of the precious 36 gallons.
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2005 Dodge Durango 4.7 V8
OLD Tow Vehicle 2004 Honda Odyssey 2015 RP179 "73b" OLD 2005 Viking Saga 2480ST popup |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 1:50pm |
Interesting putting a recirc system into a camper, but definitely a benefit when boondocking. Although it would be cheaper to just carry an extra 5-10 gallons of fresh water with you, but I fully understand the need to tinker (see this link). Someone around here mentioned an idea of using the WH to power a hydronic heating system (quieter than the furnace), add an extra 3-way valve and some extra hose, mix that water fairly cool, and you could get double-duty out of those parts you mention.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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wildfire305
Groupie Joined: 22 Jul 2014 Location: Erlanger, KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 85 |
Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 1:56pm |
Using the above idea with a loop under the mattress would make a heated bed.
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2005 Dodge Durango 4.7 V8
OLD Tow Vehicle 2004 Honda Odyssey 2015 RP179 "73b" OLD 2005 Viking Saga 2480ST popup |
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fwunder
Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676 |
Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 2:44pm |
I've wondered about using the HW system to fabricate a small radiant or forced air heating system. Here's one idea => http://www.go2marine.com/product/20172F/radex-hot-water-forced-air-heater.html
That said, I picked up a Mr. Heater Buddy this past weekend and used it while camping. Wow, this thing throws off some heat! We used one pound of propane over four days just running it intermittently to take the chill off. fred
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2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
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David and Danette
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1218 |
Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 3:49pm |
Lance campers for their model 1575 have a instant propane hot water heater and you are able to dial the temperature you desire at the time you need hot water. I don't how well it has worked out but sounds like a good idea. Forget the manufacture of hot water heater. ( I have looked back at reviews and the tankless hot water heater has not been well liked by owners. I went to the Lance manufacture website and there was no mention of them, my guess they have been discontinued with the Lance 1575.)
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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
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wildfire305
Groupie Joined: 22 Jul 2014 Location: Erlanger, KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 85 |
Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 4:03pm |
Instant water heaters usually produce a cold water sandwich every time you turn the faucet on and off. I had one for a week in my house and ripped it out. It drove us nuts washing dishes. That used a lot of water. Some, and I stress some, newer tankless heaters have a small tank in them to stop the sandwich effect.
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2005 Dodge Durango 4.7 V8
OLD Tow Vehicle 2004 Honda Odyssey 2015 RP179 "73b" OLD 2005 Viking Saga 2480ST popup |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 6:18pm |
Fred, interesting device. Doesn't sound like it has a pump or thermostat. You probably could go cheaper with a $50 transmission cooler and $5 computer fan. Add a 12 volt thermostat, relay, pump and you would be golden.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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fwunder
Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676 |
Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 6:29pm |
Yeah Doug! Junk Yard Wars! I sorta got obsessed with this idea today.
Wondering the relative efficiencies of using the HW heater as a boiler, plumbed with a 6,000 BTU cabin heater like This Aqua Hot exchanger and a high efficiency circulating pump like This Jabsco. Would take a little plumbing engineering to prevent back flow into FW tank and allow HW to still circulate with on board FW pump, but I bet it could be done! Both the heat exchanger and the pump are very low power draw and the HW heater just seems to be much more efficient than the furnace. I bet it would be quiet too. Fun Stuff! fred
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2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
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