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Anonymous
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# Posted: 9 Oct 2009 07:23pm
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I just put in a gravity fed water line and am looking to put in a tankless gas water heater. Any suggestions?
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Moontreeranch
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# Posted: 10 Oct 2009 04:36pm
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Tankless heaters work on the principal of sensing flow before they fire up the "boiler" check with the manufac. to see if the static head that your grav system has will trip it.
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rayyy
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2011 12:48pm
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and let us know too!
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islandguy
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2011 10:39pm
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Ebay has on-demand heaters that work with the very low pressures typical of gravity feed systems, although they appear to be ventless. We purchased one for our cabin. They have an oxygen depletion shutoff, so need to be mounted in a fairly open area. They do not meet any North American code, but we are very satisfied with ours so far. ours is mounted on the bedroom wall, hard plumbed to our water system, and we paid $200 for it.
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Anonymous
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# Posted: 24 Jan 2011 02:30am
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We have a single user propane model hanging outside on the back of the cabin. It requires no electricity because the water flow lights the burner when you turn on the faucet. Paid $700 for it, but it brings water that is just above freezing to hot shower temp with no problem at all. We absolutely could not live without it.
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mikec
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# Posted: 24 Jan 2011 06:32am
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After doing a little research we found that most of the systems need a head pressure we couldn't achieve with elevation (1/2 lb. per foot). We have water from gravity fed tank to a 12 volt RV pump, then to an accumulator, then to propane tankless water heater with shower head. The system is solar powered and is perfect for our needs. We are not full time users, just weekend use but has performed perfectly. We have not piped inside to sink yet but that should be no problem.
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Anonymous
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# Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:52pm
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Coleman makes a small camping hot water setup like you are thinking about. If I remember right it is about $100.00.
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nicalisa
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# Posted: 4 Apr 2011 05:37am
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Check out the Ecotemp propane hot water heaters.
There are two models that are popular for cabins which range from 1 to 2 hundred bucks. We bought the L5 model. Haven't installed it yet, but read the manual that came with it and it seems like a pretty easy set up!!
I bought it online at a store called deckers.
good luck.
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RnR
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# Posted: 20 Apr 2011 11:41am
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The Eccotemp that Nicalisa is referring-to is discussed on youtube videos for simplesolarhomesteading. It looks really neat!
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Borrego
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# Posted: 20 Apr 2011 09:50pm
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I've used the smaller Ecotemp model and it works great!
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cooperscabin
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# Posted: 2 Mar 2012 08:10pm
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Try Sportsmans guide dot com. Camping. toiletries. also.
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jeffgreef
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# Posted: 3 Mar 2012 10:28am
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I've done a bit of research on tankless heaters for my as-yet unbuilt cabin, here's what I've learned-
Most tankless water heaters require a household electrical hookup to operate them. Off grid, this doesn't work, so there are three alternatives I've learned of here. First is one that ignites using the force of water flow as mentioned by one responder above. These are expensive. The Eccotemps require a battery which sparks ignition. The Bosch 330 has a Piezo ignition which is a pilot light which you light by pressing a button.
The Eccotemps are intended only for outdoor use and vent the burnt gasses out the top of the unit. The Bosch can be mounted indoors, it takes a standard B type vent that you can buy anywhere. If you mount it indoors it cannot be located in a sealed space that has no way for air to get in, like a sealed closet, at the same time the building codes require that if it is in a bedroom it must be in a sealed closet that has air ports to the outside for combustion air. Be careful to mount the B vent with proper clearances and be sure it vents out of the building.
On demand water heaters must be specially drained if they will be left where freezing occurs. The passages in the heating element will trap water, then when it freezes, the freezing water will damage the heating element. So, if your outside mounted Eccotemp is subject to freezing while you sleep, it might be broken in the morning. That's why I'm leaning toward the Bosch, so I can mount it indoors where it will not freeze when I am there stoking the woodstove. When I leave, I will drain the entire water piping system, and I will have to use pressurized air to get the water out of the Bosch, or else.
My water tank is far enough up the hill that I will probably have enough water pressure to operate the Bosch, which must detect a certain rate of water flow before it will allow the fuel to burn. If you have very low pressure I don't know how the Bosch or Eccotemp will respond.
I have been using a Coleman camper's on demand water heater for showering. It has a large battery that operates a pump to pump water from a 5 gallon bucket into the unit and through to the shower head. Recently, having installed a water tank and water piping system, I got an accessory for it that allows it to be attached to a garden hose. A pump is no longer necessary since I have water pressure at the heater. So, the battery no longer has to pump water, it just has to open and shut the water inlet valve on the accessory and operate the unit. So, the battery lasts longer. Still, this heater is not an indoor alternative since it vents out its top. Works quite well, though.
Hope this helps
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skootamataschmidty
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# Posted: 30 Mar 2012 12:09pm
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I have been using an eccotemp on deman system for approximately 2 years now. The system works in conjunction with my 12v surflo water system inside my cottage. It can be used with a 20 pound propane tank or in my case, I have it hooked up to my bigger propane tanks. The D cell batteries that are used to ignite the burner are the original batteries and still seem to be performing fine. It does need to be installed outside which does present its issues in the winter time. We have just come to terms with the fact that we do not use the hot water plumbing when we are up there and it is belwo zero. The system is plumbed to a shower head, vanity sink and kitchen sink and produces unlimited hot water. We are very happy with it.
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rayyy
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# Posted: 31 Mar 2012 07:58am
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I too love my Eccotemp L5.Gives you hot water on the spot.
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TranquilMan
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# Posted: 1 May 2015 03:42pm
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I am planning to upgrade my water system by installing a tankless on-demand water heater. People seem to be pleased with the Eccotemp L5. I realize that they are intended for outdoor use or at least be mounted outdoors. I assume that this is because they exhast CO and require fresh air for combustion. I have built a washhouse and added an attached closet sized space 3 ft. x 3 ft x 6 ft. accessible only from outside. I installed 2 - 12 inch square screen vents, one high and one low. I'm wondering if the L5 can be mounted inside this space. I would love to hear from anyone with comments or experience with these heaters. I will be putting raw lake water through the unit and so plan to install an in-line filter to take stuff out. I shut down early October so won't be using it in the winter. I'm off the grid and so only have 12 VDC solar power and want to keep things simple.
Tranquil Man
door to closet and low vent
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high vent
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 1 May 2015 09:27pm - Edited by: bldginsp
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I suppose you could do so, but why bother when there are plenty of vented type water heaters that use inexpensive B vents to carry products of combustion out the roof.
Here's info on different on demand heaters
http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/3_4393_0.html
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TranquilMan
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# Posted: 2 May 2015 04:44pm
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Thanks bldginsp.
Hope to get the boat in the water May 12 and get going on this. I'll post later as the project progresses.
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TranquilMan
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# Posted: 2 Sep 2015 03:25pm
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Well where did the summer go? Only 4 or 5 weeks before I have to shut down and pull my boat.
Further to my last post on this topic May 2. I have bought my 12 VDC pump and pressure tank with the help of technical support at Shurflo. I had hoped to stay low teck with the Eccotemp L5 for a tankless water heater. I have communicated directly with Eccotemp and they say I cannot put the L5 in the closet as I had hoped (pictures in last post). They say the L5 won't meet my needs, is for recreational use only, cannot be plumbed into a cabin, cannot be used indoors. It needs to be mounted 1 foot side to side of anything flammable, 3 feet from windows or overhangs, 18 inches above ground, and 2 inches from the wall it is mounted on. Under no circumstances can it be located in a compartment of a motor home, closet or enclosed space. Communication was by e-mail because their phone is answered by a robot. They did reply quickly by e-mail but did not offer solutions or alternatives.
I could hang it on the wall outside but I'm thinking the spiders and other insect critters will nest in it? I'm not concerned with theft, vandalism or freezing.
So, anybody out there have any ideas or suggestions for a tankless water heater, low teck, or experiences (good or bad) with the L5 or other heaters. It's a simple cabin and I'll only be doing a kitchen sink, wash room sink and shower.
In the meantime I'm going to play with the new pump set-up and get flow rates from the lake to the cabin
back of the cabin and new Wash House
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hamish
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# Posted: 2 Sep 2015 04:54pm
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Forgo the liability police, likewise don't use an electric hair dryer in the shower!
You can use it as you have intended to use it.
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FishHog
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# Posted: 3 Sep 2015 08:43am
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Quoting: hamish Forgo the liability police, likewise don't use an electric hair dryer in the shower!You can use it as you have intended to use it.
I tend to agree with this, and really wouldn't expect any different reply from Eccotemp. With appropriate precautions I think your plan will work. If your not comfortable with that risk and the precautions you need to take, then don't do it.
My L10 is being mounted in my bathroom, but probably not until next spring. But I'll let you know how it works when I'm done
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ClimberKev
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# Posted: 3 Sep 2015 09:48am
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I've had good luck with Triton along with the Shurflo pump as a portable shower. I had an Eccotemp that froze and split a couple years ago even though I drained the unit.
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TranquilMan
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# Posted: 3 Sep 2015 10:46am
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Thanks for these quick replies. The L10 I think is just a bigger version of the L5 both not vented. The Triton looks very similar to the L5. The thing that had me a bit worried was the heat and whether it presents a fire danger being in a 3x3x6 vented closet. My 3 neighbours would be a little ticked if I burned the 20 acre island down. Eccotemp did not address that. They just said don't do it. They did get back to me recommending 2 other units they have that have horizontal exhaust vents but 3x the price of the L5. I've got the L5 so will play with it. Like you FishHog, I may not get it all done now until spring. I'm a one hour boat ride to paradise and the weather can get ugly in the late fall. A new roof is now my immediate priority. I'll do a complete post once I get this water project finished.
Thanks to all,
TranquilMan
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Atlincabin
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# Posted: 5 Sep 2015 10:21pm
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I've used both the Eccotemp and an EZ Tankless 101. I have the EZ Tankless in my bathroom. Plenty of combustion air, and I've vented it to the outside using appropriate double-wall galvanized gas vent pipe. They are "designed" for recreational/exterior use, but the EZ has a round vent that fits standard 3" pipe. Has worked well for the past two summers. I used the Eccotemp L5 last summer on an outdoor shower and currently have it hooked up to our washing machine, and mounted on the outside of the washhouse wall with a piece of tin to direct the heat away from the side of the building.
In my opinion, the main reason for the caveats given by any of these manufacturers is our litigious society and the resulting potential liability. I would be careful about mounting anyplace where there is or might be insufficient combustion air. And I have a CO detector.
My two cents.
Greg
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Gary O
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# Posted: 7 Sep 2015 10:28pm
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Good info, Greg.
I'm shopping
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TranquilMan
Member
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# Posted: 8 Sep 2015 10:30pm
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Thanks Greg. Like I said, it now looks like a spring project with a section of roof that has taken a beating from summer storms this year I've got to switch my focus to getting some roofing material in now. Today's boat trip out was a rough ride and the waves hit harder when they are cold. the squirrels are busier than normal so maybe an early end of season.
I may upgrade my outdoor shower with the L5 and go to a vented unit for the wash house. I love the out door shower!
I will do a post when it's all up and running.
Thanks again.
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