Hot Water Question

[surmn8er]

I am looking for information on using a tankless propane water heater for washing and showering at an off grid cabin. Water would be from a collection barrel and I would utilize a 12V pump to supply enough pressure. Does anyone have any experience with this type of setup? any particular heaters you like or that should be avoided?

[G-Man]

Depends on size of 12 volt pump, I have one that will push a large volume of water and that mat be to fast for a tank less heater. A slower flow (volume) will heat faster and hotter than a high flow and volume, the heater you choose should have info for pressures in installation instructions.

a pressure shut off switch may be needed as will be a regulator,

Edited March 15, 2015 by G-Man

[G-Man]

I will say a commercial 5 gallon heater , electric or gas is another option. And are easy to drain.

[wheelieman]

Even though you would be using rain water you would still have to test for hardness, I know some will say rain water is not hard but we tested it at work a few years back and it can be, Second a tankless option is rather expensive compared to other types of tanks, A point of use water heater anywhere from 2-7 gallons might be an option, Depending on the amount of people that would be using it, The 3rd thing is sizing it depends on the amount of fixtures x how many gallons to figure out the max flow rate that could be called upon at any given moment, So shower heads are around 2.5 gallons the kitchen faucet shout be about the the same as well as the bathroom, so if thats all you have you need one that would heat a max 7.5 gallons a minute, Your Pressure could be controlled by a water pressure regulater,, But hey maybe im wrong

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I have that exact set up at our cabin. bought this hot water heater and use it with this pump combination. It is purely for non potable water. The on demand supplies the toilet and bathroom sink and shower. we have solar panels to keep the battery charged and use a 275 tank for collecting water.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_527_527

 

 

I would suggest (especially if using rain water to use on of these in line filters

http://www.freshwatersystems.com/p-6568-shurflo-255-223-twist-on-strainer-12-barb-inlet.aspx?utm_source=Googlebase&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Product&utm_term=255-223&gclid=Cj0KEQjw_pmoBRDu986bpISz5ZsBEiQANiuHDEDUvtljNOd_sFBH6g11iP-gxFQTtLV7_lgraOSPMGYaAh818P8HAQ

 

 

 

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/portable-tankless-water-heater?a=1588405

 

We use a tank like this and you can find them coming up on Craigslist for about 75/100 each

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-3886/Tanks/IBC-Tank-275-Gallon?pricode=WZ395&gadtype=pla&id=H-3886&gclid=Cj0KEQjw_pmoBRDu986bpISz5ZsBEiQANiuHDIEYh2zte5y7f0V6k8Q0r0sN5t7hZLqAOXIXSWMwfEUaAuOJ8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Originally we collected rain water but we didn't like being weather dependent so with a creek about 150' from the cabin we buried a water line and use a pump and a generator to fill the tank.

 

This is the solar panel we use to charge 2 deep cycle marine batteries. It holds up great for a weekend, even running a few 12 volt lights and my father's CPAP machine but need to hook up the generator and charge if we are there for a week stay.

http://www.harborfreight.com/45-watt-solar-panel-kit-68751-8527.html

 

If you have any further questions let me know. Our system keeps the water lines charged at the cabin at about 40psi. The pump lifts from the tank at about 5'. the biggest challenge is planning how to drain the system for the winter. plan it out with valves and sloped pipe so all you need to do is shut it off and open the valves.

 

Oh and we have 5 years using this set up with no issues at all.

 

Edited March 16, 2015 by Culvercreek hunt club

[surmn8er]

Thanks for the info. This would be used strictly for a shower or the kitchen sink and not both at the same time. I am looking at the Eccotemp L10 or the Aquah 10 or 12L so approximately 2.5 - 3 gal./min. concerned about the temp. rise in the colder weather(deer season). Thinking I would probably need about 70 degrees or so. Does anyone have any experience with either of those 2 heaters?

[Culvercreek hunt club]

We use ours all through the winter if snow doesn't keep us out. W grabbed a 40 gallon poly tank out of a demolished camper. Put it in the loft and we pump into there and then draw off it for use because the L7 wouldn't make the jump to 'comfortable" from 35 degree water.