The Atwood hot water heater on our 2011 13' sprung a leak and its time to replace it. I'm considering replacing with a tankless on demand (the Truma Comfort model or the RecPro). They all seem to be in the same price range and only about $100 more than the ones with a tank. Thoughts/ideas/advice would be most appreciated.
Sun, 05/14/2023 - 15:34
#1
Hot Water On Demand
Scamp puts an on demand system in all their campers now. I don't know what brand it is but it is gas only. I recommend getting a gas and A/C electric one if you can, so if you are on shore power you can save the gas.
Carl
https://www.scamptrailers.com/product/girard-rv-water-heater-on-demand-w...
The Girard is it, I recognize the picture. The electrical requirement mentioned is only for the controls. The heat itself is LP only. Shop around and find one that is A/C heat too is my recommendation.
Carl
We have the current factory installed on demand tank less. Are the concerns you would run low on propane? We haven't used it enough to find out on our own. Should we upgrade?
My concern is the LP tank has to be removed to replace or refill it. It is a finite resource and these are only 20 pound tanks, not the more often used 30 pounders on larger RVs. Why use it if you are on shore power? In all my years of previous camping, I have always had heaters the ran off of both sources and I prefer that- more options... yes, it will last a long time but not so long if you're boon docking it in cold weather and need the LP also for heat, and cooking with an oven or stove too... likewise if ON shore power, I use it for heat then too...
Carl
I've had a bunch of campers with propane/AC water heaters, and can't really think of a time I used the AC. Since propane is only consumed when you're actually using hot water with the on demand, and there's no pilot flame, it should sip propane compared to a conventional tank type. I'm not sure. I have the Girard in my Scamp and like it.
I've never used one, but AC on demand water heaters haven't had stellar ratings compared to their gas counterparts from what I've read (home versions anyway). I wouldn't worry about upgrading.
Dave
See my reply above. The on demand heaters are relatively new and maybe the ones that are A/C may not have as good of ratings, I haven't looked. I can see myself replacing my LP only one for a dual source one when they are better and have been around for a while... for the reasons I wrote above... the single battery and single 20 pound LP tank are needed in in light weight trailers when weight is a concern. When it's not, double your batteries, double your tanks- and I will upgrade to dual 30 pound tanks as a modification soon since my gross weight and tongue weight are not an issue...
Carl
We have the on demand in our '22 Scamp 19 (currently for sale BTW)..we have used it quite a few times and think it doesn't seem to use a lot of LP...mind you that showers are very short anyway bc of the limited fresh tank (if you are boondocking)...IF you have city water, yes a somewhat limitless supply of water, but I have never taken a 'long' shower or even kept the water 'on' to do dishes etc...always, always have been conservative on water, LP, wastewater, etc usage...just goes with long term camping...it took a while to get the hang of the 'flow' valve for optimum use/allowing time for water to heat w/o using it too quickly ( I am sure a much more intelligent person could explain that better lol)...I say stick with what you have, and if you are upgrading, why not have both? Our fridge runs on LP, elec, or battery, and we have a heat strip on our AC unit...so...why not if you are starting from scratch?And just hit me...why not carry an extra tank or two in the bed of the pick up (for those using a truck, 5th wheel pretty much only option)...
Where is the flow regulator? And how do you adjust it? We've had our Scamp for less than a year, and we have already been on several short trips, looking forward to many more!
The flow regulator is under the rear right (drivers side) cushion panel. Access it from the inside. I've only changed mine once, when I got my Scamp and I adjusted it for the first time. I don't have a picture. It wasn't very big but it is only a knob, and I believe with a flat head screw driver slot- if I recall right.
Carl
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