Heating using the hot water tank.

stand up or sit down...to sink or not to sink...want or got gas...post your Q&A here..........

Re: Heating using the hot water tank.

Postby lrrowe » Thu Feb 19, 2015 4:28 pm

Very good test and a great way to improvise. I am ordering my stuff today. I found a radiator and fan that I believe will work just find. Will post photos/links later.
Bob

First Post on Purchase of Trailer: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=60722
Hot water infloor and radiator heating project:[url]http://www.tnttt.com/posting.php?mode=reply&f=54&t=62327[/

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Re: Heating using the hot water tank.

Postby MtnDon » Thu Feb 19, 2015 5:50 pm

Cool, Shadow Catcher!!

I got my temperature controller in today's mail. I also found a piece of welded wire that will make a front grille. I'll work on that next I guess as I wait for the return of the RV water pump. All I know about it at present is that it arrived at the distributor on schedule Tuesday.
Our 6x12 deep vee nose cargo trailer camper conversion... viewtopic.php?f=42&t=58336

We have a small off grid cabin we built ourselves in the NM mountains; small PV solar system; 624 watts PV, Outback CC & inverter/charger ... http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2335.0
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Re: Heating using the hot water tank.

Postby lrrowe » Thu Feb 19, 2015 5:55 pm

MtnDon, what pump are you using?
I have shopped all over the place for low cost ones and the best current draw I can find is 500ma (although I am having a hard time believing that claim).
I am going to order a China one with that rating for $26. But I am not excited about it.
Bob

First Post on Purchase of Trailer: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=60722
Hot water infloor and radiator heating project:[url]http://www.tnttt.com/posting.php?mode=reply&f=54&t=62327[/

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Re: Heating using the hot water tank.

Postby MtnDon » Thu Feb 19, 2015 6:45 pm

I bought mine on ebay last October for $22 direct from China. Presently I do not see any of the same pump on ebay except for .... this one. And they now want $35 but also has some hose adapters included. No swivel ends though...

Or this one with brass threads instead of molded polymer.... for $56

I see a few like mine but in 24 volt DC versions. There are also a lot like the one Shadow Catcher bought, like this one, for under $20.

My choice was based to a large degree on having the inlet and outlet in the same plane, at 180 degrees to one another as it made the plumbing lines simpler in what I envisioned.
Our 6x12 deep vee nose cargo trailer camper conversion... viewtopic.php?f=42&t=58336

We have a small off grid cabin we built ourselves in the NM mountains; small PV solar system; 624 watts PV, Outback CC & inverter/charger ... http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2335.0
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Re: Heating using the hot water tank.

Postby lrrowe » Sun Feb 22, 2015 1:33 pm

MtnDon,
I ask you this question because you are the only experimenter so far with an actual hot water tank test.

Let's say you are on a boondoggling outing and you have used all your non drinking water except for the 6 gals in the hot water tank. What happens as the volume of water is diminished because of shower and other use? Will the process work the same as when full?

I suspect the recovery time to heat the water in the tubing to the radiator will be longer and thus the heat out of the radiator will become less over time. If this is the case, it shows the needs for (1) water usage conservation until the tank can be refilled, and/or (2) setting the desired temperature at a lower level and/or (3) having a back up heat system for the balance of the trip such as a Mister Buddy.

Thoughts?
Bob

First Post on Purchase of Trailer: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=60722
Hot water infloor and radiator heating project:[url]http://www.tnttt.com/posting.php?mode=reply&f=54&t=62327[/

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Re: Heating using the hot water tank.

Postby Shadow Catcher » Sun Feb 22, 2015 2:42 pm

I think from what I can tell the volume of water in the water heater is constant i.e. once I drain the water tank after an outing I also have to drain the water heater. The system would no longer be pressurized but the pump should recirculate the water in the circuit. The cold water inlet is at the bottom and the hot water outlet at the top. This shows a diagram about half way down http://beamalarm.com/Documents/atwood_water_heater_troubleshooting.html
I monitor the level of water in our water tank fairly carefully and can add 5 gal before I have to empty the gray water tank.
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Re: Heating using the hot water tank.

Postby lrrowe » Sun Feb 22, 2015 3:02 pm

That diagram tells me that the system will not work if the water tank is not full. If the water cannot reach the hot water (exit) tube then nothing can flow. At a site with running water or with a reserve water holding tank, that is not an issue. But with limited water supply you must not go below 6 gals or you will not have heat from this source. In fact you will not have hot water for shower or other use either.
Bob

First Post on Purchase of Trailer: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=60722
Hot water infloor and radiator heating project:[url]http://www.tnttt.com/posting.php?mode=reply&f=54&t=62327[/

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Re: Heating using the hot water tank.

Postby MtnDon » Sun Feb 22, 2015 3:32 pm

Our trailer setup has the sink faucets and shower outlet uphill from the water heater tank. Once the pressure pump runs out of water from the cold water storage tank water stops flowing to any point of use. The water heater remains full. Therefore the ability to heat the interior should not be affected at all.
Our 6x12 deep vee nose cargo trailer camper conversion... viewtopic.php?f=42&t=58336

We have a small off grid cabin we built ourselves in the NM mountains; small PV solar system; 624 watts PV, Outback CC & inverter/charger ... http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2335.0
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Re: Heating using the hot water tank.

Postby lrrowe » Sun Feb 22, 2015 3:47 pm

Darn....did not think of that...I see what you are saying and I agree. No water in, no water out. What is there is there. A very simple and automatic shutoff switch of sorts.
Bob

First Post on Purchase of Trailer: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=60722
Hot water infloor and radiator heating project:[url]http://www.tnttt.com/posting.php?mode=reply&f=54&t=62327[/

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Re: Heating using the hot water tank.

Postby lrrowe » Mon Feb 23, 2015 9:26 pm

This post is meant to help anyone thinking of buying a 6 gal. Suburban Pilot Water Heater. While doing my price shopping I came across 4 different references for this model.
SW6P, 5031A, 5454A and 5117A. So I sent a note off to Suburban yesterday and promptly received this reply below from them.



".......5031A – SW6P This is a 6 gallon water heater with a standing pilot light. This unit has to be lite by hand and must maintain a pilot light in order to operate properly.

5054A – SW6P – this is the same model as above. The 5031A is an older stock number, it was replaced by 5054A – same unit, we just had a stock number change due to a change in our boxing for retail sale.

NOTE: the 5054A stock number has been replaced by 5117A which is still the SW6P but again we had a boxing change and the stock number changed. Unit inside the box on all three stock numbers is the same, SW6P........."


I hope sharing this information might help someone. So now I am back to the price search for the lowest price of any of these models.
Bob

First Post on Purchase of Trailer: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=60722
Hot water infloor and radiator heating project:[url]http://www.tnttt.com/posting.php?mode=reply&f=54&t=62327[/

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Re: Heating using the hot water tank.

Postby MtnDon » Mon Feb 23, 2015 10:44 pm

try pplmotorhomes $10 shipping on most stuff
Our 6x12 deep vee nose cargo trailer camper conversion... viewtopic.php?f=42&t=58336

We have a small off grid cabin we built ourselves in the NM mountains; small PV solar system; 624 watts PV, Outback CC & inverter/charger ... http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2335.0
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Re: Heating using the hot water tank.

Postby lrrowe » Mon Feb 23, 2015 11:07 pm

Thanks for the lead MtnDon. They are listing the latest model number for sale and with shipping, the total is less then I found on eBay with shipping. And the eBay is the one I "was" going to use.
The flush door is slightly lower also.
I am going to call or write them to see if I can save the $10 for one of the tank and door cover shipping cost, then cut the order loose. Heck, $10 is $10 and I will need to save that money to save up for Jerry's LI batteries.
Bob

First Post on Purchase of Trailer: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=60722
Hot water infloor and radiator heating project:[url]http://www.tnttt.com/posting.php?mode=reply&f=54&t=62327[/

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Re: Heating using the hot water tank.

Postby MtnDon » Mon Feb 23, 2015 11:58 pm

They will ship heater and door for the $10; one of the reasons I bought a lot of things from them over the years.
Our 6x12 deep vee nose cargo trailer camper conversion... viewtopic.php?f=42&t=58336

We have a small off grid cabin we built ourselves in the NM mountains; small PV solar system; 624 watts PV, Outback CC & inverter/charger ... http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2335.0
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Re: Heating using the hot water tank.

Postby lrrowe » Tue Feb 24, 2015 10:55 am

Done!
Bob

First Post on Purchase of Trailer: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=60722
Hot water infloor and radiator heating project:[url]http://www.tnttt.com/posting.php?mode=reply&f=54&t=62327[/

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Re: Heating using the hot water tank.

Postby Shadow Catcher » Wed Feb 25, 2015 2:44 pm

Finally got the straight story on quick disconnects, starting at the beginning of the year led in fittings for potable water is no longer allowed and this includes brass so QD's that would have been offered for sale...
I made another search for .50" non flow couplings and a link to US Plastics popped up and on the bottom of page 193 are CPC non flow coupelings with 1/2" NPT panel mount and on the other side of the column a 1/2 hose bard insert.
http://www.wcvirtualversion.com/publication/?i=235350&p=195
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