There are choices. So far there is one RV rated on demand propane heater and no electric fired units.
I prefer to use the campground's electricity to heat my water, rather than my propane. The ten gallon tank in the RV takes 8 minutes before the water becomes lukewarm--and that is with the RV unplugged. That same run time uses about 20 gallons of water. I only have 66 on board.
the only 'problem' I'm aware of is that they don't behave exactly the same as a water heater based solution. Since people are used to normal water heaters, failure to act exactly as they expect is often considered a problem. The basic 'get this solved problem out of my face' idea. I think that's rigid and inflexible, but it is a familiar pattern to encounter.
I think most people are using the tank heater because that is what is there - the basic implied logic that if it was so cool to have a tankless heater, all the rvs would come with them. If the price was the same to the consumer and provided more profit to the manufacturer, I suspect that you'd find them in most RVs.
The FIRST modification I made to my RV was to add a tankless heater. I actually mounted a house-sized propane fired unit in the washing machine closet! (yes, it vented combustion and took air in from outside) And at $600 it was cheaper than an RV-specific unit that would fit in the stock slot.
The new owner of my RV (who lives in it parked on power and water in a park exactly like I did) says that the tankless water heater is the best thing ever. So at least I'm not the only one who think so. (and this is despite having some minor fits over learning that you have to have at least the 0.5 gpm of water flowing to kick the heater on AND have some propane in both tanks for reliable continuation)
I am buying a 5th with hot water on demand. will be interesting to see how it works. I think I will like it better but that is to be seen. I asked questions a bit ago and a few only had good things to say about it I was happy to hear those good things.
Well that happened to be today, so the ambient temperature was 22 C. I was using the water to rinse my black water tank and I prefer to use hot water for that via the online pump.
There is no question that the "on demand" type work and that they use less propane. Folks may find the temperature lower than they are used to especially when the hot water finally arrives at the shower head.
What I *really* want is one of the units that uses waste heat from the engine. But those are expensive to retro fit.
It would be expensive for me to retro fit an on demand unit, so if my heater dies it likely will be replaced with a clone of itself.
There are choices. So far there is one RV rated on demand propane heater and no electric fired units.
I prefer to use the campground's electricity to heat my water, rather than my propane. The ten gallon tank in the RV takes 8 minutes before the water becomes lukewarm--and that is with the RV unplugged. That same run time uses about 20 gallons of water. I only have 66 on board.
We have had this discussion before but you still don't get it! There are FIVE propane fired tankless (aka on-demand) water heaters appreoved for use in RVs: one made by Gerard, two made by Precision Temp, and two being released by Atwood (1+2+2=5). The Gerard is an odd duck in that one controlls water temperature by varying the water flow (the slower the water flow, the hotter the water) while the other four control water temperature by blending hot and cold water, same as a tank type water heater.
Whether a tankless water heater or a tank type is better or not depends on each user's needs. A tankless water heater will actually use less propane than a tank type water heater per gallon of hot water and will deliver hot water until the water or propane runs out but runs only on propane. A tank type can be heated with electricity only, which can be cheaper if the electricity is included in the space rent (essentially, it is free since you pay for it whether you use it or not), but will deliver only so much hot water at a time, after which there is a considerable wait for the water to heat up again.
If you prefer a tanktype water heater, fine. That doesn't mean tankless water heaters are unsuitable for everyone.
Glad to see you are alive and as usual so helpful. I'm glad to here there are more tankless RV rated units. I still won't be buying one, even if the unit I have fails.
Offline
I was happy to hear those good things.
