How does the engine heat hook up. Is there a heat exchanger in the engine
compartment or does coolant flow to a heat exchanger in the water heater? Is it
hard to drain for winter storage? Does the shop manual show the system?
Ron and Julie
73 Painted Desert
>
> > To install the gas type water requires a major
> > modification and relocation to get it in. Some GMC'ers have done it,
> > but your talking alot of dollars here. I just hitched up the engine
> > heating circuit that the PO had removed the hoses to the engine.
> > Provides all the hot water you need without AC power.
>
> Ron & John,
> I'll second that idea. Reconnecting the engine heat was one of the best
> things I ever did. We rarely ever use the electric element. Main thing to
> remember is that the hot water is almost dangerously hot (~160 - 170 F) after
> a day's driving, so be careful. Of course this means your 6 gallons goes a
> long way. I'm thinking of putting in a tempering valve to make it safer.
> As for the propane unit, I believe you'll also find that the massive
> aluminum side beam that encircles our coaches will interfere with installing
> a propane water heater, as they require a large opening to the outside.
> Those GMCs (Coachman, etc. bodies) that came with a propane water heater
> mounted it down near the floor IIRC, not under the sink. Hardly seems worth
> it unless you do a LOT of long-term boondocking.
> My .02.
>
> Rick Staples
> '75 Eleganza
> Louisville, CO
compartment or does coolant flow to a heat exchanger in the water heater? Is it
hard to drain for winter storage? Does the shop manual show the system?
Ron and Julie
73 Painted Desert
>
> > To install the gas type water requires a major
> > modification and relocation to get it in. Some GMC'ers have done it,
> > but your talking alot of dollars here. I just hitched up the engine
> > heating circuit that the PO had removed the hoses to the engine.
> > Provides all the hot water you need without AC power.
>
> Ron & John,
> I'll second that idea. Reconnecting the engine heat was one of the best
> things I ever did. We rarely ever use the electric element. Main thing to
> remember is that the hot water is almost dangerously hot (~160 - 170 F) after
> a day's driving, so be careful. Of course this means your 6 gallons goes a
> long way. I'm thinking of putting in a tempering valve to make it safer.
> As for the propane unit, I believe you'll also find that the massive
> aluminum side beam that encircles our coaches will interfere with installing
> a propane water heater, as they require a large opening to the outside.
> Those GMCs (Coachman, etc. bodies) that came with a propane water heater
> mounted it down near the floor IIRC, not under the sink. Hardly seems worth
> it unless you do a LOT of long-term boondocking.
> My .02.
>
> Rick Staples
> '75 Eleganza
> Louisville, CO
