Hot water using new LiFePo4 set ups?

[vwhammer]

I know the topic is LiFePO4 powered hot water systems but since it has come up here is another heat exchanger system.
http://www.drivenachodrive.com/about-nacho/water3/

I have planned on doing a heat exchanger system for a while now using an off the shelf plate style exchanger.
Something like this one.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-12-90-Plate-Heat-Exchan...SwjqFf~Tb~

However, I guess I never really thought about the potential for coolant leaking into the water.

That makes me think more about building something into which I might be able to design a few failsafes.

Not sure what those failsafes would be as I have only started thinking about them but surely with some proper monitoring and construction I could build something that I am comfortable with.

Anyway sorry to keep derailing the LiFePO4 heater talk.
I still think that is doable and after watching a bunch of Everlander vids on youtube I am really starting to think harder about an all electric camp set up.

[baltik]

Hi Rorke, I went down a similar path even going as far as acquiring a heating element from alibaba, Ultimately i gave up on the project having never implemented it. I do think that an efficient heat exchaner setup may be the way to fly here, unless you are in an area with a lot of direct sun and the water is getting up to temp that way and you are using the battery & heating coil just to top things off.

In terms of heat exchangers, give these guys a look, well developed system for our use case

https://glind.com.au/shop/

[tilstad]

[tilstad]

[djkeev]

Just to point out.......

Your road shower is long and skinny right?
A fancy pipe mounted on the roof........ lying on its side..... horizontal.

You are going to put an electric element in one end.

Have you ever seen an electric water heater?

Tall and narrow standing vertically ...... right?

Where is the heater element? Yep, near the bottom (sometimes there are two, one a bit higher)

Why do you think that the heater is vertical and the element is towards the bottom?

What do you know about properties of hot or cold gases and liquids?

Yep..... warmth rises...... cold falls ....... naturally..... self circulating.

How is the cold water at the front of a horizontal pipe going to get to the hot element at the rear of the horizontal pipe?

Dave
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[TheMonk]

[Abscate]

No problem using even a glycol exchanger for non-potable water like a shower. I don’t drink anything from any of our mobile water systems, it’s strictly for Washup. Your coolant level sensor is a perfect detector of leaks in Any event
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[bobbyblack]

[Rorke]

Thank you Samba braintrust.

Running coolant lines to a modified stock tank, or an under belly tank between the passenger rails, or in a modified tank replacing the spare - are all cool ideas.
Not what I want to pursue...for now. 1 - I have a storage box between the rails. 2 - The other tanks can't be pressurized easily. 3 - We drink out of the stock tank regularly.


280ah batteries are ordered.
Easy install. These will take up less space than my existing 110ah gel battery, which is under the bus. However, I have my bus stripped and the trans is out, so it would be a good time to copy Jokerus's over the trans battery box, which I like because I could warm up the batteries to a good charging temp by running the engine

Alternator -
130 amp Tribeca alternator. Simple. Thanks Sodo.

Charger -
I am trying to figure out the best dc to dc charger. The redarc manager is pretty cool. I just wish it pumped through about 30% more charge.

Solar -
undecided. I like chucking stuff up in the luggage compartment. Now I use a flexible 100w panel that I slide in between the upper bunk cushions. Simple, light, but not much power.

Heating elements
I just ordered a second 700watt 12v heating element. These will run off separate breakers. Each will be positioned on opposite ends of the tank. Two elements will heat a full tank faster. If I have less water, then I can use only one, which would ideally be the lower of the two. I suppose if I am really low on water, then the bus would have to be tilted to put enough water around the element.
The element manufacturer says that the psi of the tank is zero problem. That is a big deal because the whole reason I got the fancy aluminum tank is so I can pressurize it big time.

Breaker panel -
Undecided. I like the mechanical old school ones more than electronic. Simple and free from the boat junkyards nearby.

Tank insulation -
Undecided. I intend to test the system before focusing on thickness vs. removability vs. stowability.

I have concluded that when I am driving, I can only heat the water if I have a pretty full tank. because of the sloshing. Evidently, the element can never be powered dry.

[Rorke]

I also ordered up the gowesty city water fill port.

If the electric water system works, then I should be able to run the roadshower hose to the city port for (non potable) hot water.

The gowesty port has a built in check valve. We'll see.

[kguarnotta]

I like this thinking - and the OP solution may be best for him - but for others, those gas space heaters from Webasto etc...could heat your water. I think they make combo units.

also there are some units that do tap into your coolant lines to heat water.

Again - probably not what OP wants, but maybe helpful for others...
_________________
-Kevin
Lincoln, MA

'86 Triple Knob Syncro w/EJ22
'78 Westy
'69 Single Cab
'65 Kombi - EZ-Camper

[Rorke]

There are so many ways to skin cats.

Last season, we dialed in the EccoTemp propane heater. Pretty easy to hook up. It hangs on the RMW ladder, taps right into the propane extension (aftermarket), then quick connects to a shower head suctioned on the side window or hung through the back under the bus depot hatch tent for privacy.

Matching the flow rate to the desired temperature is an acquired skill. It can be frustrating, especially because the initial water temp can vary tremendously.

Mostly though, it is just a pain in the nuts to store. It is big, leaky, and awkward. But I dealt with it regularly because I am very much into all of the benefits of being clean and having a happy woman.

[dobryan]

[tilstad]

Unfortunately the Truma dont sell to aftermarket here in the US. I have investigated this extensively. Not even if they installl it. I was told from Truma as late as this morning, the only option was to specify it when ordering a new RV.

Now, there is some gray market sellers of the propane only version of the Truma Combi eco, but its questionable if one can even get it repaired if needed later. The electric/propane version is impossible to source in the US. This would have effectively been 4 units on one, perfect for our small rigs, albeit not cheap. But if you sum up the cost of gas heater, electric water heater, propane water heater + electric heater, all in one nice compact well functioning silent combo, it doesnt look so bad.

Unfortunately, its not possible to get. And of course, the euro version is the wrong voltage.

[owokie]

[dabaron]

[djkeev]

[Abscate]

Zodi makes a canister unit that you heat on a stove , then pump to pressurize , then shower.
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[Splitdog]

When do you ever shower?
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[dabaron]