Heating using the hot water tank.

[aggie79]

ShadowCatcher - you could build a small plenum our of cardboard or card stock. (Non-glossy is best). Seal the cardboard with a couple of coats of epoxy.

Regarding the mesh to protect the heater core, be careful to not restrict airflow too much. Depending upon the size of the core you may be able to use a louvered vent or register instead. These have very little airflow resistance.

[Shadow Catcher]

Assuming I can find it, I am looking at 1/2 expanded metal so not much restriction. The card board is a good idea and I have some propoline sheet plastic that is relatively easy to cut and may use that, suggestions can spark other ideas. We are having a number of windows replaced and I will have time to work on this while they are here.

[lrrowe]

?.............suggestions can spark other ideas. ......

I wholeheartedly agree. I like to throw out ideas or thoughts, no matter how crazy they may sound. Not so much to say they are good ideas, but many times they do spur a new and great idea.

[Socal Tom]

It's great to see this idea tested, and optimized. For folks in cold weather areas, this seems to be a safe, effective and efficient way to heat a TD.
Tom

[Shadow Catcher]

The wood has been coated with with polyurethane and is drying. I did get a couple of photos of the rough, how it goes together.

[lrrowe]

[Socal Tom]

?.............suggestions can spark other ideas. ......

I wholeheartedly agree. I like to throw out ideas or thoughts, no matter how crazy they may sound. Not so much to say they are good ideas, but many times they do spur a new and great idea.

I do the same, I've been know to call my bestsest/craziest ones "Tom's nutty idea of the week".
Tom

[MtnDon]

Our system water pressure pump developed a small but constant drip (leak) and it has been sent off for a warranty claim. So, for now no more testing, nit that there is much more I intend to do. However, by the time the pressure pump is back I expect the temperature controller will be here and I'll be ready for a temperature test check. Or a camping trip! G/L on the other testers, improvisers.

[lrrowe]

That is not good news. One more thing to worry about when you are away from the camper. If you take the pressure off of the system while you are away, then you get no heat. If you leave it on, you had better be sure of there being no leaks. At least with a propane heater, this is not an issue. But then they have their own set of issues.
What is one to do?

I guess I still lean towards this water heater concept, even if it does have damage concerns. Now, if you could reduce the pressure to a very minimal level of water pressure when you are gone, then that may be another story. Actually I think the system would work ok under those conditions. Then just build up the pressure when you need it for a shower or sink, etc.

Thoughts anyone?

[Shadow Catcher]

Before putting water in the system each year I do a leak test using compressed air and soapy water at the same time I test the propane lines.

[aggie79]

MtnDon,

Sorry to hear about your pump woes. I believe your pump was used to pressurize your entire water system when boondocking.

For those that camp at campgrounds and have water pressure, I was wondering if it is necessary at all to have a pump to circulate hot water to/through the heater core. I think a passive system could work if you kept your heater core height above the water heater and didn't have too long of runs. Hot water would rise to the core - with the inlet being at the top - be cooled as it goes through the loop, and descend back to the water heater.

Another crazy thought to toss on the heap!

Take care,
Tom

[MtnDon]

I could run the heater pump and circulate the water through the heating loop. There would just be a small air bubble at the top of the water heater tank. I bridged the gap where the pressure pump was with a flex hose. Not too much water was drained before removing the pressure pump.


The convection heating theory works. A previous experiment years ago showed that simply having the heater core a foot above the water heater tank was enough height. The only problem was the initial burping of the system without a pump. In our trailer I wanted the heating radiator at floor level, so I did not go the convection route.

[lrrowe]

My plan is ro have the radiator above the heater. So maybe when I get there, I can experiment with this idea. The heated water would certainly be in the radIator longer this way. Is that good?

[MtnDon]

With a fan(s) blowing air through the radiator it will cool faster than in my previous experiment. That will make the water circulate faster. How much difference between usin a reciculator and not... hard to say. That;s what experiments are for.

My parents old house used a hydronic heating system. It relied totally on convection circulation of the water. It had greater height being a 2 story and the water was much hotter. But it worked in -30 F weather.

[lrrowe]

I am sitting here in a hospital now while my wife is taking tests. It looks like she will need open heart surgery. Because of all of this, I have not focused much on ordering stuff. I think I will order some the parts this weekend if I can get into the mood. I am excited to do this experiment.