Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hi all.I am going to use a tankless propane water heater in my new CTC build. I believe I will build it into the wall up front where I can tap it for the shower and the sink. Since I am starting the build from scratch, I think I'd like to vent this properly. Anyone have any pics of sidewall vents or roof vents they used for the tankless water heater? I need to source it.


Also, any recommendations on brands to stay away from and ones that are really good? I see prices ranging from $65 to $150 for the 6L type. They all probably use the same technology.

Any help and advise would be appreciated.


Also, once you set the controls where you like them... is it just "leave it alone" and it always works assuming the source water temperature is constant?

I've been looking at the tankless type too, just because I don't like how big a hole you have to cut for a RV tank type. BUT, the standing pilot tanked water heater I have in the trailer works really well and doesn't use much gas. I'd use it again in a heartbeat but for the big hole. Here's the tankless unit I'm leaning towards; it's supposed to be ventless and works for low flow applications:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DHDX3DT/?coliid=I1HS8T72GSDXBO&colid=387VYSF7T3AQ2&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Bruce

I have a 6 gallon piloted water heater in my existing CTC, but with this smaller build, I too want to conserve the floor space and avoid the large hole.

Do you have to vent this type? If not, how far away from ceiling should it be? I am going to build a facia around the bottom side to conceal piping hookups..

Is the Excel @ $199 on Amazon much different from similar units on Ebay costing between $65 and $150. The internals look the same? I'd rather pay more and have reliability, but all the reviews seem similar with average 4.5 stars. Mostly good with the few horror stories.


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Venting is where the info gets vague, I'm guessing that the ventless claim is more marketing than reality. I saw a lot of different opinions on the van building sites I looked at. At a minimum I'd expect a window by the exhaust opening. There are a few videos on YouTube about the unit. Quality wise, I don''t know. I was interested in the low venting requirements more than anything else.
Bruce

I believe I will go up through the ceiling and roof and put in this vent since it is a fresh build and I can seal up really well during construction. I will need to buy the type of Water Heater with the 3 inch vent on top instead of wide open. In any case, this should be low and seal well on the roof.

Also planning to build the unit into a cabinet up front in Kitchen, so vertical vent pipe and etc. will not be seen. I need to run shower and sink hot water from there.

Has anyone install like this? Pics? Any issues with vent in roof while driving in rain (thinking of rain blowing in vent)?





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There are 2 different designs for TWH. One kind is designed for outside mounting, and it would require a rather large hole if mounted in side. Here is an example
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Camp-Chef-Triton-5-l-Portable-Water-Heater-HWD5/204848031?MERCH=REC-_-pipsem-_-204848021-_-204848031-_-N


The other style is designed to use a round vent for the exhaust gasses and heat to escape, here is an example.
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBD_enUS853US854&biw=1455&bih=688&tbm=shop&ei=-kExYISbNZK3kwXlh4KoAw&q=eco+temp+tankless+water+heater&oq=eco+temp+t&gs_lcp=Cgtwcm9kdWN0cy1jYxADGAAyAggAMgIIADIECAAQGDIECAAQGDIGCAAQFhAeMggIABAWEB4QGDIICAAQFhAeEBgyCggAEBYQChAeEBgyCAgAEBYQHhAYMgoIABAWEAoQHhAYOgQIABBDOgQIABAKOgYIABAKEBhQubYCWNTLAmDs1gJoAHAAeACAAdkBiAH_D5IBBTAuMy43mAEAoAEBqgEPcHJvZHVjdHMtY2Mtd2l6wAEB&sclient=products-cc#spd=2194020117915838074

If you used the design that is intended for indoor mounting you should be ok.
Tom

Thanks Tom.. I will be using the type with the pipe connection on type (the second link). I think I will go through the roof with a pipe. I'd rather have it vented outside.

I ordered this one from Amazon and will put a 4in exhaust pipe through the ceiling with the cap previously mentioned. 8L/min is probably higher capacity than needed for for shower given warmer Florida water out of the ground, but I could not find a 6L with a piped exhaust and I may need it up North.

It does seems to be a good size to build into a kitchen cabinet so it is out of sight.

This one had 4.5 stars with 70 reviews and has a digital temperature display albeit in Celsius scale. $75.22











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How much clearance does this unit need on the sides?


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I ordered the excel tankless vent free heater from factory. The way I look at it is that when it is operating it can't be any worse than having propane burners operating on your stove. I will probably just slightly open fantastic fan vent a small amount and will also have an alarm. I have not actually installed it yet but that is my thought process at his time.

TCretro wrote:I ordered the excel tankless vent free heater from factory. The way I look at it is that when it is operating it can't be any worse than having propane burners operating on your stove. I will probably just slightly open fantastic fan vent a small amount and will also have an alarm. I have not actually installed it yet but that is my thought process at his time.

I think my buddy is pertaining to that excel tankless vent. Have you tried to install it? He's just finishing the installation and alignment of the new set of tires 4Wheelonline onto his truck before he finishes the water system on his trailer.

Some of these water heaters can put out 140,000 Btu! That's like large salamander heater heat! Using one unvented indoors might be nice in the winter but would roast you in a small ctc in the summer. That said, McDave mounted his in the shower under a power vent and had great success.http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=72302&hilit=+water+heater#p1257383

flboy wrote: Anyone have any pics of sidewall vents or roof vents they used for the tankless water heater? I need to source it.

I have an extra side vent!

flboy wrote:I think I'd like to vent this properly. Anyone have any pics of sidewall vents or roof vents they used for the tankless water heater? I need to source it.

I'm away from my desktop right now so will have to post pics later. I used an Ecotemp L 5 which was about $105 and has been trouble free for 8 years now. It is mounted under my sink which adjoins my shower wall.

It is vented through the side wall with a triple wall flue. Vent cover is standard metal clothes dryer but also has a hinged rain shield matching the exterior siding. Exhaust from the top of the heater is routed horizontally with a torpedo boot pop riveted and sealed with hi-temp duct tape.

M C