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Steve,

I wanted to discuss this although my comments may be a little late.  I haven't
received the list again until today.

I too am a fan of Dave's work.  I mirrored his heater installation note for note
and still take satisfaction from the design advantages.

I also want a way to heat water.  Primarily because I camp a lot in winter and
want to keep water in the holding tank without it freezing.  I rejected the
design in the end because it would not keep the water lines from freezing and I
was very concerned that should the system leak in any way the water would be
rendered highly non-potable and the poison taste might be masked under the taste
of some hot chocolate scarped down after a busy day outside or something.

What use will you put your heated water to?  A shower?  Will you still use the
tank to hold drinking water?

Thanks, -Clark

>Date:    Sun, 9 Nov 1997 23:20:59 -0800
>From:    "Steven X. Schwenk" <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
>Subject: Hot Water Heater

>    After searching the archives for options for producing hot water on
>demand without having to install a gas heater, I have opted to try Dave
>Garth's ingenious design.  Back in 1994, Dave routed hot coolant through
>a copper coil inserted in the water tank.  He controlled the temp by
>controlling the flow of coolant through the water tank with a water bed
>thermostat hooked up to a selonoid valve.  He routed the coolant from
>the rear heater by taping into the hoses with a Tee.  Dave's design
>safely produced 13 gallons of 100 degree water in twenty minutes of
>driving.  Dave also installed a shower in the back of his van (ok...a
>hand held shower...but with hot water and pressure!...).

>Has anyone else tried this?  If so, I am wondering how the setup has
>worked over time....
>and what type of  plumbing connections i can safely use with hot coolant
>(do the joints and connections in the copper tubing have to be
>soldered....or could I use the same types of connectors I used when
>taping into the propane lines...the flared connections using flare nuts
>and a flaring tool and flared fittings...which would be easier?)

>Any info would be greatly appreciated.

>steve
>'90 syncro westy
>san francisco