I have posted a few questions before & read lots of responses for a couple of postings but I am still unsure. The biggest problem seems to be is if a suburban 22lt gas/elec hws is hot enough to get the ecotherm to heat the van with very cold outside temps. From my checking the suburban is fitted with a non adjusable thermostat set to 60C as per Govt reg AS3500. On the advice I have Suburban do not make a thermostat that is set higher. How have all you users of the Ecotherm solved this problem?
I for one would be more than happy with the temperature of 60 degrees centigrade. Skin exposed to this temperature water will cause second degree burns in 3 seconds and third degree in 5 seconds. Hence the need for a tempering valve. The Swift heater which is the same as the Matrix heaters that are common in Europe in boats and buses, etc are plumbed in before the tempering valve and generally at 60 degrees you cannot hold your hand on the heat exchanger.
I am fitting the Kalori Silencio, a 1.7kW unit (there are bigger units also) readily available from the UK. Still assembling the parts. It is a bit of a simple Heath Robinson project but all up should be less than $300.
The Setup is the same as the Swift Ecotherm. Using 12mm Sharkbite type fittings.
Taking a T off the hot water outlet near the heater unit through a stop **** then a 12v aquarium type pump then to the heat exchanger. From the heat exchanger through a non return valve to another T on the cold water inlet side.
Might put in another stop **** here also to completely isolate the system but probably not necessary.
Will utilise the John Guest compression inserts to handle the non tempered water. Less likelihood of distortion of the pipe in the fittings.
Instead of using the two speed fan switch on the heat exchanger I will use a remote switch and a speed adjustment switch. I think I would prefer this system instead of going through a thermostat. Had this on our last van on a gas heater and was not a fan.
Just ordered one got it for $550 including installation kit. Started organising under to bed to accommodate it, it meant cutting a large hole through the void ( my van has a separate panel across the front of the bed creating a 400mm wide storage area ) I have fitted a timber along the inside to run the water pipes and power down . Unit arrives mid next week and I will finish the installation.
My unit works well with standard suburban hot water heater, the core of unit has the 60C water flowing through it and if you really wanted to you could get the van up to 30C from this.I set mine at about 18C with the supplied theromstat situated about 1 metre from the floor while we are sitting up and after going to bed I drop it back to 12C.
If I turn the unit on about 30 minutes before dark and its nice and warm by the end of happy hour even with sleet outside, when you consider I have a pop-top and the other half likes the vent open and front window ajar... say no more!
Big plus is If you are not using hot water the heater hardly ever starts up (on gas) so the process is quite efficient. On powered sites you can leave it on whatever temp you want all night.
__________________
Brian & Nada retired and > "Ready to live the Dream" Live in the Shire!
76 series V8 Landcrab with Jayco Starcraft Outback Poptop
