Installed in my RV is a tanked/gas/electric hot water system, which is aging & now starting to corrode inside, plus gas not working right now. Thinking to replace with an instant gas[& electric maybe?] system, anyone changed theirs over, if so, is it reasonably easy to just connect existing pipe work to a new small instant heater, and take out the old storage tank etc? What pitfall's also anyone know?
I had a 12 volt/Gas Carver hot water system brought in from the UK by Coromal in WA. It gave up the ghost after about 8 yrs. I looked at putting a Suburban in, it looked to be a popular water heater used in a lot of modern Vans and Motor Homes and I booked it into a caravan place in Bundaberg. They took one look and told me it wasn't an option. Too big to fit in the room I had.
Did some research and found a Chinese knock off of the Carver. Exactly the same dimensions same fittings except one. The gas fitting. The Chinese Knock off had a compression olive fitting. Now the Australian system is flared ends for the gas Pipes. Had to have the gas fitter change it. The gas fittings all have to be done by a gas fitter and certified to be legal. I did the job myself all except the gas connection. Gas fitter did that job. Electric only can be done by the sparky and will be OK.
As with all things in Caravans and Motor Homes it was all tight with little room to get at all the parts.
If you are doing like for like it should be OK. If it's a total change make sure you have the room to fit the new system.
I'm sure this question has come up before on this site before (may have been another site) and had some pretty negative feed back. If you have been happy with what you have had in the past why take a risk by changing to instant.
After looking round the vas. I mounted on ext wall just in front of door.. pipes going under van and splitting to wherever.
Works real good. $350 del with small pump. Had to change to full pump for shower, ok for hot tap.
Make is "Hottap" (look on google)
several van parks use in camping area. and lots of good reviews.
You always get some whingers. they enjoy doing I think.
Gas only. You can use separate gas bottle.
I put U coupling in gas line to one tank on drawbar.
Run from there. and just keep eye on levels.
Very happy so far. scalding water in sink and lovely dual showers depending on water supply.
Heat and water flow adjustable manually on front.
did look see if came up before but could not find, will look under other subjects after. No, never been happy with present system of changing rod every year, leaks from storgage tank now, plus gas stopped working. So needs replacement anyway. Prefer instant if any good.
Good to hear someone using one, talked to other friend who has camper, they said "never 'eard of 'em".... but thought they must be out there being used, as I saw them for sale on line.
Do I need a different pump, as at moment water is set up to pump to taps anyway? Trying to get away with spending as little money as possible, as selling van after this trip for a newer one. Hoping everything just worked on insisting pipework etc.
Will be heading to Queensland in May, for few months, and think will book the van in to get system changed over, not sure still tho if to buy the heater on line, and ask an installer to put in. I have had few things done at Wombat conversions Vic, which is the nearest for me living in Tasmania. [not a lot of choice here!]
Does not from your opinion, seem to be any problem, thank you.
ps macka, just re-read, noticed you fitted on external wall. Does it have to be outside? I did read on sellers page, to be so [for gas fumes maybe?] but prefer inside camper.
