Diesel water heater.

[Ochastan]

Hello Everyone -

I have a Troopy and want to move away from propane and tap my large diesel tanks to heat water (not air) for kitchen, shower, etc. I have only found two options so far:
- Aqua Hot 125D (also a hydronic heater which I have no interest in);
- Webasto Dual Top Evo 6.

Anyone knows of alternative solutions or are these the only two?

Thanks!

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Heating and Cooling Solutions for Automotive Applications

Discover top-quality heating and cooling solutions for automotive and marine applications. Choose HEATSO for reliable HVAC options for mobile living.

www.heatso.com

 

[gdaut]

The Webasto Dual Top is an air and water heater. It is also quite large; I would think it far too large for a Troopy. I think it may be hard to find a water-only heater. The heat source for the water will also heat air, so most manufacturers would go ahead and include the air heat function. Also, all diesel heaters I have seen are glow plug based and heat slow. Thus they require an insulated water reservoir, which is why the Webasto Dual Top is so large. Tankless or instant hot water heaters require faster, more intense heat and thus use propane. Thus, a small, water-only, diesel heater may not exist. There are electric water only heaters. That might require an upgrade to your batteries though. Good luck on your search though; maybe I am wrong.

 

[Ochastan]

The Webasto Dual Top is an air and water heater. It is also quite large; I would think it far too large for a Troopy. I think it may be hard to find a water-only heater. The heat source for the water will also heat air, so most manufacturers would go ahead and include the air heat function. Also, all diesel heaters I have seen are glow plug based and heat slow. Thus they require an insulated water reservoir, which is why the Webasto Dual Top is so large. Tankless or instant hot water heaters require faster, more intense heat and thus use propane. Thus, a small, water-only, diesel heater may not exist. There are electric water only heaters. That might require an upgrade to your batteries though. Good luck on your search though; maybe I am wrong.

Thanks. I agree. I may just install the webasto one under the chassis.

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

There are several products from both Espar and Webasto that heat water only.

Their main purpose is a hydronic system used to heat diesels up on freezing temps, but they work the exact same way to heat water and are used quite often in the Expo world.

Do some googling about it. Seems like theyre exactly what youre looking for really. They arent that big either.

Yes, the dualtop is HUGE and very hard to find (they stopped making it for a year). and they are now close to $5k

 

[Ochastan]

There are several products from both Espar and Webasto that heat water only.

Their main purpose is a hydronic system used to heat diesels up on freezing temps, but they work the exact same way to heat water and are used quite often in the Expo world.

Do some googling about it. Seems like theyre exactly what youre looking for really. They arent that big either.

Yes, the dualtop is HUGE and very hard to find (they stopped making it for a year). and they are now close to $5k

Thank you for the info. I thought the hydronic systems had no tank so would not be suitable for kitchen/shower. Am I mistaken?

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Thank you for the info. I thought the hydronic systems had no tank so would not be suitable for kitchen/shower. Am I mistaken?

They can be setup with a tank for sure, or run through a water heater with the heat exchanger inside of it and have too many moving parts

I personally shied away from it because they take up a lot of real estate

 

[Ochastan]

Thanks. Very helpful. Let me work/ask Heatso as well.

 

[Joe917]

Webasto make coolant heaters (Thermotop C for example). For hot water to will also need a hot water tank with a calorifier(heat exchanger) such as the Isotemp Spa.https://www.indelwebastomarine.com/us/products/isotemp-water-heaters/spa/

 

[billiebob]

I'm in the heating business. No one likes heating fuel oil. The maintenance is intense, The job is filthy. You stink every night coming home from servicing a fuel oil furnace. Propane on the other hand is pretty much maintenance free and clean burning. If you are setup with propane, do not change.

Propane fired instant water heaters are the best buy. Virtually trouble free.... in North America at least. In Africa propane might not be the best choice since every country has a diffrent standard. Maybe thru South America too..... But in North America and Europe. Propane is the best choice. I think India is pretty much pro propane too.

I'm curious about Australia etc.

 

[Peter_n_Margaret]

I have a Webasto Thermotop E. It is configured to heat glycol which is then pumped to a water calorifier (ours is 30L, but much smaller ones are available).
It also provides central heating via a couple of radiators and can also pre heat the motor in cold conditions. Powered by diesel.
The Webasto itself is under the floor and is quite compact.
Great system.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome.

 

[Victorian]

Just a heads up about buying from heatso. They are selling non North American versions of all known brands. These are not supported and can not be serviced here if needed. We had several cases where people saved $200 on an imported version but lucked out when they needed parts Under warranty. In any case, if you want service and support, buy from a local or trusted dealer.