Water heaters ....what have you fitted

Heres a lovely homebuild with woodburner, and they have a wall mounted boiler with a roof vent .....now i know im possibly in the minority but how homely is that?

Awesome build it even has a washing machine
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Minxy Girl said:
I'm not sure if some of the gas boilers can be mounted on their sides rather than upright so this may help routing pipes etc, alternatively just ensure you position it so you can put a 'chimney' on to take it up to the roof within the PVC, it will obviously take up a little bit of space interally but would still allow you to be a stealth camper.

Edit - just found this as an example of what I mean:

Storage and boiler flue - Vandog Traveller
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Yes something like that is an idea as that boiler he is using is under £100
 
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Northernraider said:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=303202588857

This could be a last resort fitting ....if i could disguise or colour code the vent/cowl



Or one of these wall mounted with a roof vent

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=353360186200
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The instantaneous heater in your 2nd link is not a balanced flue so I wouldn't want to use it inside a van.

I think the Truma Ultrastore is available in gas only therefore cheaper but you would probably have to source from Germany.
 
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Lenny HB said:
The instantaneous heater in your 2nd link is not a balanced flue so I wouldn't want to use it inside a van.

I think the Truma Ultrastore is available in gas only therefore cheaper but you would probably have to source from Germany.
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Thanks ...i didnt know that so that rules that out.
Ive seen a few of them used for outside showers where they are fitted on the rear doors....but i dont intend to use the rear doors much ....or shower outside for that matter lol ...when i do ive a sun warmed idea for that.

So the truma is looking like a possibility.
I wonder if it could be vented through the floor?
 
Mine is the Ultrastore 10l gas only . Could have obtained locally but too dear. Got it from Valencia for 400e in the end.german ones were even dearer than here.
 
Northernraider said:
Ok so ive pretty much decided my next van is going to be a self build ....so at the minute ive been spending time planning a layout and equipment etc.
I want to use a diesel heater and a woodburner for heating but im unsure of what to do for water heating.
As i plan to build it as stealth as possible im looking to avoid lots of vents etc on the outside ...

So what methods of water heating have those with self builds gone for ?

I dont plan to have 240v equipment in the van at all as off grid is the goal ....so lpg, diesel, solar etc

Photos , links , details appreciated.
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Are you driving about a lot? Some US RVs have heaters that heat the water using the engine. These units are not exactly stealthy, but it wouldn't be rocket science to rig something up with a heat exchanger that worked off the engine coolant. You'd have to time your shower so that you have it just after you arrive there. It would be no good for a morning shower!

I do miss the old RV, when you could just pull on the handbrake and go straight into the shower!
 
cmcardle75 said:
Are you driving about a lot? Some US RVs have heaters that heat the water using the engine. These units are not exactly stealthy, but it wouldn't be rocket science to rig something up with a heat exchanger that worked off the engine coolant. You'd have to time your shower so that you have it just after you arrive there. It would be no good for a morning shower!

I do miss the old RV, when you could just pull on the handbrake and go straight into the shower!
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Also, if you can cope with LPG, then the Whale Expanse heater can be underslung without vents through the bodywork. It goes well with the Propex space heater, which can also be underslung.

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Just thought, I have a mains only CAK tanks XT mini water heater which can be run off inverter takes 10mins to provide hot water for shower. This is a small unit very efficient and may work for you even when you are off grid assuming you have an inverter. They also do a version that has an heating coil so you can heat with diesel heater .

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C.A.K. TANKS Manufacturers of 250 water tank sizes. Motorhome, Caravan, Horsebox and Narrowboat Interior Equipment Specialist with thousends of products in stock from all the leading brands. See our 90 page mail order catalogue for water heaters, pumps, taps, smev cookers & sinks, fridges...
www.caktanks.co.uk www.caktanks.co.uk
 
Otter Spotter said:
Just thought, I have a mains only CAK tanks XT mini water heater which can be run off inverter takes 10mins to provide hot water for shower. This is a small unit very efficient and may work for you even when you are off grid assuming you have an inverter. They also do a version that has an heating coil so you can heat with diesel heater .

Water and Air heating, Propex, Malaga, Heatsource, Malaga, Truma, Whale, Webasto, gas electric 240v diesel cascade carver | Motor-Caravan | Caravan & Marine

C.A.K. TANKS Manufacturers of 250 water tank sizes. Motorhome, Caravan, Horsebox and Narrowboat Interior Equipment Specialist with thousends of products in stock from all the leading brands. See our 90 page mail order catalogue for water heaters, pumps, taps, smev cookers & sinks, fridges...
www.caktanks.co.uk www.caktanks.co.uk
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That could be an option i hadn't thought of ...at the minute i plan around 460ah of agm batteries with 500w solar ....and also a victron 24/12 -30amp b2b charger .
So yes I'll have an inverter fitted

Ill look in to that 👍
 
Can’t offer you any advice,but following with interest and envy of your diy skills.
What I do know is that when we had a narrow boat (think rain every day and smelly canals),it was very nice to have hot water heated by the engine. Obviously only any good on the days you’re doing a decent mileage.
 
Northernraider said:
Because my type of use it seems agm is the best choice .... especially if only charged by solar and b2b

Its also a cost issue lol

As it is 2 x 230ah varta are nearly £500
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Madness they are useless as a leisure battery unless you buy the very expensive professional ones. The AGM's in my last van lasted 18 months.

As you rarely stay in one spot more than one or two nights if you don't want the cost of Lithiums standard flooded cells are probably best for you. I prefer Gel but they take longer to recharge but you can discharge them a lot lower.
 
Northernraider said:
Trying to avoid a gas fired combi like the truma etc as they are expensive and power hungry
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Gas will be much cheaper than diesel, esp LPG.
I think you used to be able to get separate water heaters and some heaters that vent from below.

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We went for propex Malaga E, gas electric as well. It holds 13l of hot 70C deg, and combined with cold, does two showers wash on wash off with few litres spare. It heats up in about 30 mins, and 15-20mins on gas and electric. The beauty of electric via inverter(750w element) I use it as dump load when we have excessive power harvest. That reduces the gas consumption.
Downside, it has a side through the wall flu similar to carver. I gues it can be disguised if located behind one of the back doors, instead against still the side wall.
In regards to the agm’s , I agree. Unless are supper dupper deep cycle like trojan, rolls, sonnenshine, hoppeke, etc... its a bad choice. They have their niche but not cycling life, as will result in short life. If lead is a must, then thru flooded is best bang for the buck. And 2 or 6v blocks, not 12v blocks.
 
46 years ago i had an enamel stove” in the trailer that i lived in, and wrapped around the flu sitting on top of the stove was a stainless water tank, which had a tap, you filled it with water,and the water got hot, it was ingenious, and ive never seen one since,
 
pampam said:
46 years ago i had an enamel stove” in the trailer that i lived in, and wrapped around the flu sitting on top of the stove was a stainless water tank, which had a tap, you filled it with water,and the water got hot, it was ingenious, and ive never seen one since,
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Something like?

SaunaShop.com : Saunas, sauna, Sauna, Wood, Saunas, Water Heater (for Woodburner Chimney)

Perhaps one of the most 'quintessential' traditional Finnish Sauna fitments, this Water Heater fits in the flue assembly above a Woodburning Sauna Stove, using flue heat from the stove to heat the water. Before the Sauna is heated, it i
www.saunashop.co.uk www.saunashop.co.uk
 
Lenny HB said:
Madness they are useless as a leisure battery unless you buy the very expensive professional ones. The AGM's in my last van lasted 18 months.

As you rarely stay in one spot more than one or two nights if you don't want the cost of Lithiums standard flooded cells are probably best for you. I prefer Gel but they take longer to recharge but you can discharge them a lot lower.
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I have posted this before.

I know you don't like AGM Lenny, but.....

We had 2 110ah Leoch AGMs in the last van. Votronic solar controller with AGM settings. Full timed for 5 years and no probs.

This van - old Hymer, wanted to try something different, so went for 2 Trojan T105s and wish I had stuck to AGM. Trojans are good, but not as good as our Leoch AGMs, so far....

AGMs are great if charged properly, 14.7v bulk on solar, we were only on ehu half a dozen times over 5 years.

They charge quicker than others (not lithium) can take them to 80% discharge, have low self discharge and are flexible on fitting (sideways if necessary).

Glad to see others are seeing the benefits of AGM.

👍 🙂

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Last edited:
If you want stealth then go for a Eperspacher Hydronic. Everything under the van 😉 They now do a cheaper version but I don't know the name (brought out in response to Chinese heater's) I would have to ask sister in law to ask her X as to what they are called. I know they are only around £8/900 . If they are similar to the Hydronic I fitted in my van then all pipework within 3 ft of the heater needs to be in copper with compression joint's 😉 Don't ask how I know this 😁
In the past I have fitted all sorts from Chinese heater's to Truma.If I was footing another I would look into the new Eperspacher Hydronic cheaper type. If not that then Truma separates IE heater and boiler
 
two said:
Gas will be much cheaper than diesel, esp LPG.
I think you used to be able to get separate water heaters and some heaters that vent from below.
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Isn’t there an issue with LPG supply locations reducing and especially in Scotland ?
 
Not aware of issues, but haven't been out at all for over a year, least of all to Scotland.
Nothing to stop you using bottled gas, I'm sure it'll still be cheaper than diesel.
 
two said:
Not aware of issues, but haven't been out at all for over a year, least of all to Scotland.
Nothing to stop you using bottled gas, I'm sure it'll still be cheaper than diesel.
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There has been a number of posters on here and to MoHO magazines decrying the removal of LOG pumps from garages, and I understand in the whole of the west coast of Scotland there are only 2 or 3 pumps, I stand to be corrected on those number.
diesel is easier to carry and you only need to use your main vehicle tank. I am a keen user of my Diesel Wallas heater/hob, but alas it doesn’t heat water so hence the electric water water heater I have pointed out to Northernraider previously on this thread.The water heater takes up less than a third of the space of 1 gas tank.
 
Ill be fitting a 25litre lpg tank under the van but it will only really be for the oven and hob , diesel heater plumbed in to main diesel tank so i ALWAYS have heat.
Fridge will be 12v only , water heater still undecided but as its only used once a day at most it could be gas if required.

I've never had a problem getting LPG to be honest anywhere ....i just prefer diesel heating.

Im following a build at the minute that actually has 2 eberspacher diesel heaters fitted

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