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buckeyebuck
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2013 03:08pm
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Just wondering if anyone has tried a Excel 1.6 GPM propane ventless tankless hot water heater. It sounds good but not sure about ventless.
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rayyy
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2013 04:46pm
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I don't know about that brand but I have the Eccotemp L5 water heater.Work's great except for when the water in my storage tank get's down near freezing temperatures.I have to throttle down the flow of water through the heater as much as possible in order to get warm water comfortable enough to shower with.
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TomChum
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2013 05:03pm - Edited by: TomChum
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Quoting: rayyy I have to throttle down the flow of water through the heater as much as possible in order to get warm water comfortable enough to shower with
Isn't it still a hot, steamy shower,,,,, just not "full-bore"? Is that what you mean by Thankless? 
......Ditto for my L5. 33 deg water is just about at the limit of the L5's capability, but it's still a good hot shower (in an enclosure).
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2013 05:56pm
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As well as the rated flow you need to know the temperature rise for that flow. Then the temperature for the incoming water. Then decide if that would work for you.
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TomChum
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# Posted: 24 Jan 2013 11:46am - Edited by: TomChum
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This is pretty good data for shower people. The L5 can rise 33 deg water to a nice hot (but throttled down) shower. I suspect most people will never have shower water supply that's so close to freezing. If the L5 can "do it" at 33 deg, it's capable of 10deg hotter at 43 deg, which is significant. L5 is only $149, small, easy to carry in and out if that's how you will use it.
The next size up (Eccotemp L7) is not much more $ $189 but I have not looked into that unit beyond the flowrate. L5 is 5Liters/minute = 1.3gal/min. L7 is rated at 25% more, 1.6gpm.
-------> edit: using actual water temp
To take a comfortable shower you need water temp of 90-100F (95F is good). With the EccoTemp L5, the flow has to be choked down a bit to produce 95F output from 33 deg input, but it's a good shower.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 24 Jan 2013 12:59pm
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In our area the water fresh out of the (deep) mountain wells runs about 50 - 55 degrees all year. You need 50 degrees of rise to approach being comfortable. One other thing to note is that many of the low flow xhower heads introduce room air into the water stream to make it feel more full or strong. That cools the water.
Here at home in winter the water can be colder; I have measured 40 on a cold cold day. (Storage tanks are above ground).
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Rifraf
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# Posted: 24 Jan 2013 01:05pm
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I posted this in another thread , but you can use a used/free water heater tank to pass the water into before it goes into the on demand.. dont plug the water heater in.. just use it for room temp storage and you can negate some of the cold in the environment and get a greater end temperature from your on demand heater.
The temp (cheap/free) storage tank can also collect the sediment and improve the lifespan of your on demand heater.
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buckeyebuck
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# Posted: 24 Jan 2013 04:06pm
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Thanks for the info. Like the idea of a temp (cheap/free) storage tank.
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nicalisa
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# Posted: 24 Jan 2013 09:13pm
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We have the Ecotemp E5 and our water comes right from a mountain spring below the frost level. It is freezing, and our shower is HOT!! I attached a pic of how compact it is. I have to admit, this is one of the best things at our cabin. Nothin better than a hot shower!
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TomChum
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# Posted: 25 Jan 2013 10:14am
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Quoting: Rifraf The temp (cheap/free) storage tank can also collect the sediment and improve the lifespan of your on demand heater.
This tank must be in a continually heated space. If it freezes it can break open.
nicalisa that's a nice shower! Did you build it?
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nicalisa
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# Posted: 26 Jan 2013 07:49pm
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Thanks Tom Chum! We did build it and then I did all of the tile work while my hubby did some other projects. We have added a washtub next door at the end of last summer and the new pic is attached
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wakeslayer
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# Posted: 27 Jan 2013 10:08am
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Nicalisa,
Your shower is gorgeous. Love the tile work.
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hitanktank
Member
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# Posted: 27 Jan 2013 12:35pm
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that shower is so sweet
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MJW
Member
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# Posted: 27 Jan 2013 01:28pm
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Very nice!
Makes me almost wish we were putting our shower outside.....almost.
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buckeyebuck
Member
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# Posted: 27 Jan 2013 03:01pm
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I am going to go, I think, with an Aquah Premium Direct Vent propane tankless water heater 3.7 gpm with 45 temperature rise 110v power. Has anyone ever used one of these? Then my next question is how big of a shallow well water pump will I need?
I do like your shower nicalisa, it looks great but we have a lot of cold weather here, so inside would be nicer for us.
Our cabin is for hunting and get away on weekends
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Anonymoose
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# Posted: 28 Jan 2013 02:35pm
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I purchased a Marey 3GPM unit on ebay (like this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Marey-3GPM-Propane-LP-Gas-Tankless-on-Demand-Endless-Hot-Wate r-Heater-2013-/330863720420?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0903b7e4 ). They have a 5 year warranty and seem to be a solidly built unit. Has not arrived yet but will keep you informed.
Requires no electricity other than two "D" cell batteries and has a respectable temp rise of 100* if you neck it down to 1gpm or 60-70* at the full rated output, if I understand the marketing info properly.
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Rick004
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# Posted: 28 Jan 2013 05:00pm
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Hey Anonymoose !! That's the exact model I have been looking at on EBay !! I would really appreciate some feedback on how it works for You !!
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squirrel
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# Posted: 28 Jan 2013 06:34pm
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looking about getting a tankless my self but I plan on use a couple of 55 gallon drums for holding my water above the cabin but not real sure about how much pressure i will get from that I have no electricity at all so totally off the grid will the Ecotemp E5 work with that kind of pressure
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TomChum
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# Posted: 28 Jan 2013 07:58pm - Edited by: TomChum
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Quoting: squirrel will the Ecotemp E5 work with that kind of pressure
No it won't. You need about 20psi to work any of the heaters. If the pressure gets below 20 psi the flame shuts off for your safety. If there was no propane shutoff, and the water got restricted, the water would quickly boil and shoot steam out of the showerhead, and burn you.
You must have a pump. I bought my EccoTemp L5 in a "kit' that included a 12v pump, which can run from a car battery. You could pump out of a 55gal drum easily.
Gravity feed water supply for the heater is probably not feasible. To get 20 psi by gravity, you would have to raise the drum 47 feet above the showerhead.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 28 Jan 2013 08:04pm
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Quoting: squirrel I plan on use a couple of 55 gallon drums for holding my water above the cabin but not real sure about how much pressure i will get
0.43 pounds per foot of elevation above the point of use. IE: 10 feet from faucet to top of the water level = 4.3 PSI. Larger pipes do not increase pressure but will increase volume of water.
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squirrel
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# Posted: 21 Feb 2013 09:14pm
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got my tankless water heater today can't wait to set it up I really appreciate the replies helped alot in my decision on wat to look for got the ez tankless 101 says it only needs 2.9 psi for ignition hope i got that right thanx again love this site
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davey25
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# Posted: 21 Feb 2013 09:59pm
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Actually needs 15 p.s.i to operate
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Purplerules
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# Posted: 21 Feb 2013 11:18pm
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We have the Ecotemp E5 and it works great. We even left it outside and it froze and broke, but hubby welded the small crack and it works like a charm again.
Nicalisa - love love love your shower, what a great job you all did!
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DaJTCHA
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2013 01:16pm - Edited by: DaJTCHA
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Our problem is we don't have water (well or otherwise) on site. When we go camping we take a trip down to the spring and bottle what we need for that particular outing. Sometimes we keep extra left over bottles at the camper as well. Our main need was showering, handwashing and dishwashing. So, after much research, I picked up this puppy:
I'm fairly confident that it will conveniently accomplish our needs. As an added bonus, the 20# propane tank hose and filter for the little buddy heater will work with this unit as well. Can't wait to use it and see how well it works!
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ILLWOODSMAN
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# Posted: 16 Mar 2013 10:08am
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DaJTCHA
any updates on this mr heater water heater, thinking of getting one myself, just curious on what you thought of it, and how well it worked.
My cabin is off grid, well powered by a generator, and all water has to hauled in, just need something like this for a shower and dishes.
thanks
ILLWOODSMAN
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DaJTCHA
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# Posted: 16 Mar 2013 10:41am - Edited by: DaJTCHA
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I haven't used it in the field, but I did a review on it and got a chance to tape it in action via youtube. See the url below.
URL
I won't make any claims until I have at least used it a dozen times at camp, but from the initial try out...I like what I see and how hot the water can get.
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ILLWOODSMAN
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# Posted: 16 Mar 2013 11:19am
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great video. thanks, i think this unit will be exactly what i am looking for, i like this one better than the coleman model. I know my options are very limited if i want a self contained unit minus the water supply. Not sure what other choice i have for the cabin, sense the kitchen and bath are on opposite sides (not sure what i was thinking when i did that), any other ideas anyone?
thanks again DaJTCHA
ILLWOODSMAN
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 8 Mar 2015 12:21pm
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I have a Coleman hot water heater and it has worked great till recently and is giving me nothing but trouble. But I have been using it since 1995. I just purchased via Cabelas the Mr Heater Aqua Cube. I should have it in a week. I head to my cabin next month and have already built a nice cedar shower house with bench and shelving (looks like a cedar sauna inside) and now I will be able to get good use from it. Thanks for the heads up. I didnt even know this thing existed. 
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DaJTCHA
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# Posted: 9 Mar 2015 06:56pm
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I've used this for two season now, easily have taken 30-40 showers counting guest and our family. We've washed dishes, used it to wash just hair, etc...can't say enough good things about it. It works as it is designed, gets cold to luke warm water up and hot enough to enjoy the luxury of an outdoor shower among the trees.
There is just one issue that we've had to deal with and it has to do with temperature regulation. I'll preface the story with...I wish there was a way to turn off or turn up the threshold for the "scalding water" error code /shut off function. When taking a shower and with a temperature in the 105-110 degree range and if you shut off the switch on the nozzle, the temperature of the water still in the unit will raise and eclipse the threshold that the manufacturer has set to trip the error / emergency heat-off switch. The unit is designed to turn off and turn back on the heater / burner when the switch is on/off, but it isn't smart enough to realize that there will be a slight jump in temperature because of the residual heat of the element. I believe that this threshold is set at 115 degrees. When it trips, you're in for a treat....cold water straight from the reservoir! What a great wake me up, NOT!
We keep the cube, the propane and the water reservoirs outside the shower house, so when it trips...we can't see the unit's display to know that the next time we turn on the nozzle...cue the penguins!
We like to take HOT showers and don't much care for this "feature" LOL! I'm sure it'll save someone out there from burning themselves, but we'd like it if it were a defeatable function.
What we've done to compensate is to adjust the running temperature down a few degrees, so if/when we stop the water...the residual heat from the burner doesn't trip the switch. The other alternative, but it wastes water, is to let it run continuously.
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