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Post by ronc on Dec 22, 2016 19:27:15 GMT -5
I have a 2017 Durango Gold 381REF. I installed a Truma AquaGo hot water heater ... it is amazing. Thrifty with propane, the same short wait until hot water gets to the shower head ... but most importantly, never ending hot water. Long hot showers are among my favorite things, so I couldn't get happy with the capacity of the OEM 12 gallon tank. Highly recommended upgrade.
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Post by shogunles on Dec 23, 2016 0:54:49 GMT -5
Thanks for posting your review of the Truma, ronc. I saw this unit at the Hershey Show this year. I thought what an ingenious system. I did ask a few questions of the reps, at the show. However, a few more come to mind, if you do not mind. One question they could not answer due to the fact that the dealers/installers charge different retail/labor rates, price differences per region of the country, and the like. If I may, what does a system like this cost installed? Not looking for what you paid or an exact dollar amount. Just simply trying to see if this may be worth the expense for our needs, and the amount of camping we do. We consider ourselves part timers, April to November.
Being that this system is tankless, is it necessary to bypass the water heater, or run RV Antifreeze through the entire water heater?
Do you utilize the OEM toggle switches to activate electric/LP on the Truma?
I appreciate your answers, and anything you may want to add. Thank you and Happily Holidays to you and yours!
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Post by johnr on Dec 23, 2016 7:48:26 GMT -5
I've thought about getting one for the home, but we don't have access to gas. I've read that the all electric ones aren't as good.
That's a good question about the bypass. I wouldn't think that the antifreeze would harm anything sitting in the tankless heater. I'd probably call the manufacturer and double check with them.
How about installation? Did you plumb it into the same location as the original tank? Did you have build up a wall to attach it to?
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Post by shogunles on Dec 23, 2016 10:10:30 GMT -5
I've thought about getting one for the home, but we don't have access to gas. I've read that the all electric ones aren't as good. That's a good question about the bypass. I wouldn't think that the antifreeze would harm anything sitting in the tankless heater. I'd probably call the manufacturer and double check with them. How about installation? Did you plumb it into the same location as the original tank? Did you have build up a wall to attach it to? When I was at the Hershey PA Show in September, I was able to ask the few questions that came to mind. I did ask about the fitment issue. The reps said that it is a direct fit once you remove your current hot water heater and tank. They have the same dimensions as the 6, 10 and 12 gallon models. However, I was not aware that a 16 gallon OEM water was offered as exhibited from the OP's post. In my 2017 DG 382MBQ, I have the 12 gallon model. Perhaps I can put this question out there. Without hi-jacking the thread. I just purchased my DG literally last week. Being in the Northeast, most of the parks are closed for the Winter. Needless to say I have not had a chance to do a shakedown trip with it. There is a question coming, I promise. On my last two fivers, both with 10 gallon tanks, if I ran the LP and electric at the same time, it would buy me some extra time in the shower with adequate hot water. Say 15 minutes or so, hooked up to city water. Not endless, but the next best thing. Can you achieve the same goal with the DG's 12 gallon heater? |
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Post by ronc on Sept 15, 2017 17:40:13 GMT -5
Thanks for posting your review of the Truma, ronc. I saw this unit at the Hershey Show this year. I thought what an ingenious system. I did ask a few questions of the reps, at the show. However, a few more come to mind, if you do not mind. One question they could not answer due to the fact that the dealers/installers charge different retail/labor rates, price differences per region of the country, and the like. If I may, what does a system like this cost installed? Not looking for what you paid or an exact dollar amount. Just simply trying to see if this may be worth the expense for our needs, and the amount of camping we do. We consider ourselves part timers, April to November. Being that this system is tankless, is it necessary to bypass the water heater, or run RV Antifreeze through the entire water heater? Do you utilize the OEM toggle switches to activate electric/LP on the Truma? I appreciate your answers, and anything you may want to add. Thank you and Happily Holidays to you and yours! Sorry I failed to answer your questions. I have only recently started monitoring this board regularly. To answer your questions. Cost: plan on paying for the unit and the mounting kit plus about 4-6 hours labor. It's a very straightforward installation ... old unit comes out and Truma fits right in that same place. It's a swag, but I'd say about $1.5K out the door. Worth it? That's very difficult to answer as it's only worth it if it's worth it to you. This is an expensive luxury upgrade ... but we love it ... YMMV. I do use the OEM propane switch, the former electric switch for the old dual mode hot water heater is dead headed and no longer works. The winterization process is ridiculously easy. No bypassing or anti freeze needed. You drain the unit and that's it. |
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Post by ronc on Sept 22, 2017 18:49:28 GMT -5
I've thought about getting one for the home, but we don't have access to gas. I've read that the all electric ones aren't as good. That's a good question about the bypass. I wouldn't think that the antifreeze would harm anything sitting in the tankless heater. I'd probably call the manufacturer and double check with them. How about installation? Did you plumb it into the same location as the original tank? Did you have build up a wall to attach it to? We had an electric whole house on demand hot water in our home ... it was a SEISCO RA28. The system worked fine but we built that house and had the necessary electrical capacity, which is substantial. It required it's own 200 amp panel. Most homes aren't equipped with nearly enough electric capacity, so this adds to the expense of having the system installed. Works as advertised otherwise. |
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Post by Chuck on Sept 24, 2017 12:37:19 GMT -5
I've thought about getting one for the home, but we don't have access to gas. I've read that the all electric ones aren't as good. That's a good question about the bypass. I wouldn't think that the antifreeze would harm anything sitting in the tankless heater. I'd probably call the manufacturer and double check with them. How about installation? Did you plumb it into the same location as the original tank? Did you have build up a wall to attach it to? When I was at the Hershey PA Show in September, I was able to ask the few questions that came to mind. I did ask about the fitment issue. The reps said that it is a direct fit once you remove your current hot water heater and tank. They have the same dimensions as the 6, 10 and 12 gallon models. However, I was not aware that a 16 gallon OEM water was offered as exhibited from the OP's post. In my 2017 DG 382MBQ, I have the 12 gallon model. Perhaps I can put this question out there. Without hi-jacking the thread. I just purchased my DG literally last week. Being in the Northeast, most of the parks are closed for the Winter. Needless to say I have not had a chance to do a shakedown trip with it. There is a question coming, I promise. On my last two fivers, both with 10 gallon tanks, if I ran the LP and electric at the same time, it would buy me some extra time in the shower with adequate hot water. Say 15 minutes or so, hooked up to city water. Not endless, but the next best thing. Can you achieve the same goal with the DG's 12 gallon heater? We turn on both LP an electric at the same time when 1st hooking up to get hot water a little quicker, the hot water also seems to last a bit longer when both are on, but I have never timed it .... Chuck |
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Post by bc75 on Nov 2, 2017 23:09:21 GMT -5
I didn't know it was safe to run both LP an electric at the same time. Iv been looking at an instant hot water system cant afford it right now.So i will try running both LP an electric.
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Post by lynnmor on Nov 3, 2017 9:10:35 GMT -5
I didn't know it was safe to run both LP an electric at the same time. Iv been looking at an instant hot water system cant afford it right now.So i will try running both LP an electric. Many do it with no issue, but I have never seen the need. If one is conservative, your current system is just fine, but then I have never taken a 15 minute shower in my life. |
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Itully
Newbie RV’er
Howdy from Central Texas
Posts: 27 
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Post by Itully on Nov 3, 2017 10:01:38 GMT -5
Running LP and A/C at the same time is news to me as well..
Maybe its because we live in the south we have never had an issue with hot water.
Right after we hook up I turn water heater on using shore power.. we still have plenty to do getting everything setup.
By the time we need to run any water its hot. I take 5 min showers so have never run out of water.
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Post by Chuck on Nov 3, 2017 13:15:43 GMT -5
We only run both electric an propane for the 1st half hour or forty-five minutes, old habit I guess, the DW wants hot water when she wants it LOL... Once I get setup an make sure things are ok I will tuen the propane off for the rest of the time we are at the camp grounds. One of the missions the DW has when breaking camp is to turn off the hot water heater along with making sure all draws an vents are closed an turning off the frig. We only travels 5 to 6 hours an the frig seems to stay cold an stuff frozen without any problems  Safe Travels Check out the Kz Rally Folder only 275 days left to the 2018 Kz Rally Chuck & Hildi |
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Post by joecamper on Nov 5, 2017 20:44:14 GMT -5
I do what chuck does. Start it up with both, then usually just use shore power. If we know we are going to take back to back showers, then I will turn the propane back on just to make sure the second user doesn't run out of hot water. Never have.
Joe
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Post by ronc on Dec 30, 2017 23:09:58 GMT -5
I didn't know it was safe to run both LP an electric at the same time. Iv been looking at an instant hot water system cant afford it right now.So i will try running both LP an electric. Many do it with no issue, but I have never seen the need. If one is conservative, your current system is just fine, but then I have never taken a 15 minute shower in my life. I agree that running LP and electric at the same time is just fine. I SELDOM take a hot shower of less than 15 minutes, same for my bride. This is, as I said, an expensive luxury upgrade and is only worth it if it’s worth it to you. Not trying to talk anybody into anything ... just reporting on our upgrades. Not really looking for opinions. |
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