I feel I should replace my water heater do to its age (1979) and i do not care for propane what is another alternative? or are the newer ones pretty safe?

Although also propane, I would likely replace mine with the new on-demand gas water heaters. They are used in homes, business, virtually everywhere now, so I assume they are safe. Furthermore, you are not carrying around ten extra gallons of heavy water at all times.

The downside is they don't make a two way, so you must use gas. I think the biggest advantage to my current two way is the ability to let the campground heat my water, after all you pay for it regardless.

Corey

http://www.defender.com/produc...72|319680&id=1110839
This is a bit small to my mind, I have an 11 gallon tank. Electric is no problem if you are at a campground and I find the engine heat exchanger gives me very warm water within about 20 minutes and hot water in about 30. This is using 140 to 160 degree thermostats on the engines, with 190 stats you should have hot water nearly as soon as you have the stat opening.
Tim

quote:

Originally posted by noble97monarch:
Although also propane, I would likely replace mine with the new on-demand gas water heaters. They are used in homes, business, virtually everywhere now, so I assume they are safe. Furthermore, you are not carrying around ten extra gallons of heavy water at all times.

The downside is they don't make a two way, so you must use gas. I think the biggest advantage to my current two way is the ability to let the campground heat my water, after all you pay for it regardless.

Corey

Our Barth was made with a Paloma on-demand propane water heater. We love it. It uses only the gas you need. That means it only lights off when a hot water faucet is opened. It has the advantage of allowing really long showers if you are hooked up to water and drain.

It is also a little smaller than the standard RV heater, so there is a little more room in the closet or cabinet or wherever.

Just saw this on craig's if anybody is interested Paloma Tankless Water heater
Nick

Anyone had a water heater repaired or replaced like this one ('89 Barth Regency)? The insulation on the bottom of the storage tank got damp and there was a steady stream of water draining out of the nozzle (with the red tag in the photo) on the exterior of the unit the last time I tried to use it.

The red tagged valve is known as a "T & P" safety valve. They are normally closed but are supposed to open if the Temperature or Pressure gets too high. Sometimes they get crud in them and will not seal. If you flush them out a bit sometimes they will seal again. If they continue to leak you'll have to replace it. They are easily replaced but they are a 1/2" pipe thread, most of the home units have a 3/4" thread.

Be sure the combustion tube is clean at both ends.

I replaced my water heater a while back. Not too bad depending on access inside. Remove gas line and wires from outside, hot and cold water lines, engine heater lines (if equipped) from the inside. Drill out the outside rivets and out it comes.

A good chance your safety valve is leaking because the tank is water logged and lost its necessary air space. Drain down tank and refill - that usually fixes the leaking.

quote: Paloma on-demand propane water heater

http://www.propanewaterheaters...ters/RV500/index.htm