On Demand Propane Water Heater?

[Stephen Trapani]

Hi,

I need a new water heater and instead of buying another cheap electric, which worked fine until it didn't, I would prefer something I can use without shore power. So far the best possibility I can come up with is an on demand propane like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120314340969&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

The problem with the on demand propanes is that they require venting, so a large chimney would ordinarily have to be cut. My idea to beat the system is to mount it on the aft railing. The problem is that the models like the one in the link can't handle much of a breeze before it puts it out and needs to be restarted. What has anyone done with these to make them work?

 

[Cayennita]

Be careful with the venting. A sailor from Annapolis was found dead in the head. She had been taking a shower aboard a race/cruise boat during a delivery from Key West to Annapolis. Carbon monoxide was the cause.

 

[Ross]

When we were rebuilding Bietzpadlin there was an on demand water heater that seemed very promicing but before we got to that point(about 1995) the water heater was condemmed and taken off the market. Too many boaters were dieing from CO poisoning.

 

[CaptDon01]

Just a thought.....camping unit by Coleman:

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/subcategory.asp?CategoryID=2200

Take a look at the video.....pretty neat!

Don

 

[JoeD]

Prppane water heater

This is the one I have. Found it because back in 2006 on this site several peo[ple were talking about it. Let me see if i can find it. But here is the link.

Excel http://www.excelamerica.com/calentadores_eng.htm.

It cost about $250.00 with freight. many are used on boats. I found out about them from another Forum.

This of from Sailboat Owners Jim 04-11-2006 04:05 pm

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Buy a Ventless Propane Water Heater

I installed an "Excel" ventless, pilotless propane water heater on my 450 about 2 years back and it's hands down the best modification I've made. I bought it from a distributor on EBay for around $150 and plummed it into the hot water lines just after they exit my electric heater. When the hot water in the tank runs out I turn a lever that directs the outflow from the tank through the heater and back into the hot water circuit. I installed the heating unit on the bulkhead under my companionway. I run it at less than 1/2 its maximum so I don't burn myself in the shower. It operates at a claimed efficiency of around 80%. I put a splitter on my propane line inside the propane box after the stove solenoid so the propane circuit for the heater is as safe as the one for the stove. Engine-based hot water systems are great when the engine has just been running and electric is great when you are connected to shore power. I spend a lot of time under water away from the dock and my friends and I ALL want hot showers when we get back to the boat. No one wants to run the engine or the generator for an hour to refill the tank before showering. Jim. "

Have looked at two fo them installed on other boats. They work well. The ease of installation and the price is what sold me.

 

[Stephen Trapani]

Wow, I really like the looks of that one JoeD. Now we are back to the interior installation, I guess. No need to put it out on the aft railing. It sounds like you use it as a backup. How do you think it would work as the primary and only unit? From the specs on the page it looks like it would deliver more hot water than my little 6 gal electric anyway.

 

[zeehag]

when i want luxury i use a 6 gal sunshower. when i am being thrifty i use a 4 gallon sunshower. i only use about 2 gal including my long hair...works great. no leaks no carbon monoxide and no muss. i use it in my stand up shower room. if it gets tooo hot, i add cooler water . if not hot enough i boil a gallon or so on the stove.
i donot use the water heaters because they LEAK and the others are inefficient-- nor else they killye..bubby would be most unhappy were i to meet my end and not teach him how to use can opener. so i use sun shower--LOL..easy and simple and no fuel ...
oh--i used to want on demand -- but my neighbor said they had it in their lafitte 44 and it sukked. so i will keep my brand of water heater and thank gods for the sunshine to heat my baths....

 

[JoeD]

Propane Water Heater

That quote was from Jim here in 2006. I will use mine a primary. Have installed one in my home and the best investment I ever made. Had an electric hot water heater before. Cut bill in half.

They work and many people on the Gemini Cat site have converted to them. Easy install.. Took my old Electric Hot Water heater out from under cockpit. Don't need to run the engine for hot water. This will give you all you want and it 80% efficent. My stove/oven is Propane as is the grille. Have two 20 lb tanks and last forever. Have co alarm in the cabin with auto shut down. Always be safe life is to short anyway. Don't rush it.

Joe

 

[Ross]

Re: Propane Water Heater

3300 btu's of heat from electricity(1 kwh) will cost about 12 cents. while 3300 btu's of heat form propane will cost about 10 cents.

 

[JoeD]

KWH

The difference was the electric water heater was on all the time. Meaning it continued to heat 50 gals of water in the tank. The Propane only when a demand for water used Propane. That was at the house.

Boat pluged into dock would work the same way but with 10 gal tank. Then out sailing and on the hook no plug so run genny or solar and inverter.

So for me no brainer. Add in delivery and all Governemnt taxes lot more that 13 cents per KWH. Like looking at your phone bill. What the hell happens with all those taxes anyway.

 

[Bill Roosa]

CAUTION! Propane users

The web site for JoeD's suggestion clearly states:

"Perfect for Sailboats and cabin cruisers with ACTIVE Ventlation in place"

Just a reminder, propane is heavier than air and will end up in the bilge where there is usually a non-explosive rated bilge pump.

While the unit is surly safe IF PROPERLY INSTALLED, I'd be dang sure it was in fact properly installed. I'd really hate to get blown up while in my birthday suit.

 

[Chilidog]

I do beleive that there are electric on-demand water heaters.

 

[KD3PC]

I think that you will find the electric units are very demanding of amps and volts, and have very limited ability to adequately heat water..for any length of time..i.e they are fine for washing your hands, not so much for a shower...

 

[Stephen Trapani]

As far as it being properly installed, I'll have to use the same care on it that was used on the Force10 propane heater and the UPO propane stove in the cabin.

 

[Hermit Scott]

The most interesting part of the article is that the oxygen detecting shut off device has a 100% effective record since 1980.
I wouldn't worry too much about carbon monoxide, or oxygen depletion. How much hot water could you possibly use, you only have so much water on the boat anyway. I would be concerned with a cabin heater, but not a water heater.
Are people really dying from their water heater?

 

[Ross]

The most interesting part of the article is that the oxygen detecting shut off device has a 100% effective record since 1980.
I wouldn't worry too much about carbon monoxide, or oxygen depletion. How much hot water could you possibly use, you only have so much water on the boat anyway. I would be concerned with a cabin heater, but not a water heater.
Are people really dying from their water heater?

They have.

 

[Stephen Trapani]

They have.

Have any died from their electric appliances?

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Welll...er...um...yes...

Have any died from their electric appliances?

According an article a couple of years ago in the BOAT/US insurance publication, 55% of boat fires are electrical in origin--ac/dc wiring and/or appliances...and some of those fires did kill people.

Another 24% were attributed to engine fires....8% to fuel leaks...7% to misc (flares, kids playing with matches etc)...5% were unknown...which doesn't leave very many fires caused by propane stoves, water heaters and heaters.

 

[Seattle Scott]

I just bought an Excel tankless no vent heater

and will start the intall this weekend. I will plumb it in after the engine heat water heater so all hot water goes thru existing heater, then the tankless heater and to all fixures. I am going to put the gas fired heater in a cockpit locker, then based on how much heat it produces, I will leave the locker lid open or closed. My only concern is whether the gas heater will get the water hot enough, as the specs are 40 degree rise at 1.6 GPM and my guess is that the water in the tanks stay around 50 degrees, since that is the salt water temperature around here.

 

[Ross]

and will start the intall this weekend. I will plumb it in after the engine heat water heater so all hot water goes thru existing heater, then the tankless heater and to all fixures. I am going to put the gas fired heater in a cockpit locker, then based on how much heat it produces, I will leave the locker lid open or closed. My only concern is whether the gas heater will get the water hot enough, as the specs are 40 degree rise at 1.6 GPM and my guess is that the water in the tanks stay around 50 degrees, since that is the salt water temperature around here.

90 degree water isn't as warm as p*ss. run the shower more slowly.