Propane tankless water heater

[Seattle Scott]

Anybody using a tankless propane water heater without permanent mount, just hung from a rail when in use with the propane tank on deck but tied into the presssured water system so you can take a shower in the shower and not in the cockpit? I am looking into one of these below.


http://cgi.ebay.com/PROPANE-TANKLES...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f1992241

 

[Alan]

Tankless hot water heaters are used all over the world and have been for years. Storing hot water in storage tanks is a most inefficient means of providing hot water.
The most important issue is the quality of the unit.

 

[sailingdog]

One thing I would recommend is checking with your insurance company before installing one. They may have restrictions on the brands/models that can be installed.

 

[DeniseO30]

tankless units are fired at high rates. even this little one your getting is going to use up propane quick. it fires from 15 to 60,000 btus A 20 lb tank won't last long.

 

[larryw]

I used a solar water heater laid on deck, fed the hose down thru the hatch in the head, and showered there. If there wasn't enough sun, heat some water in a teapot, add it to half a bag of cold water. I also used a Honda EU2000 generator to charge batts/heat water. Many times after motorsailing from the mainland to the island, the water will still be warm enough for a nice shower hours after shutting down the engine. I think the tankless idea is a lot of fuss and bother to get a simple sailor-shower.

 

[Seattle Scott]

Well, no real affirmations, so I will give this some more thought

 

[FastOlson]

Be sure that you can supply that heater with water at 35 psi (min.) per the specs. Most boat systems are pressurized to about 22 psi.

L

 

[Bob J.]

DeniseO30 has hit the nail on the head. Tankless water heaters are an on demand device & therefore have the tendency to burn fuel at a higher consumption rate compared to a conventional water heater. The reason they have been so popular world wide is most homes outside this country do not have basements so the tankless water heater can fit into a closet. I hear people say all the time they are more effiencent than a conventional water heater, that is not true if you run the math. Tell a lie enough times & it becomes the truth.

 

[Maine Sail]

DeniseO30 has hit the nail on the head. Tankless water heaters are an on demand device & therefore have the tendency to burn fuel at a higher consumption rate compared to a conventional water heater. The reason they have been so popular world wide is most homes outside this country do not have basements so the tankless water heater can fit into a closet. I hear people say all the time they are more effiencent than a conventional water heater, that is not true if you run the math. Tell a lie enough times & it becomes the truth.

Bob,

As you know they also become much less efficient $$$$ wise when you realize the life expectancy is considerably shorter than an indirect fired heater..

As for use on boats I do not know of any propane units that currently that have approvals to do so. Paloma used to market to the marine market but they had some major issues and as a result no longer sell into to the marine market place.

 

[zeehag]

non propane water heater (sun shower) warmed in sun can get very very hot--i use those --doesnt use fuel and is goood for washing me and laundry --i use runoff for laundering clothing items on a long passage....goooodluck----i have 2 on my decks in the sun most all the time.....