Heater Question for the Ole' 74 Project

[jwe648]

Continuing my ever growing project of restoring the Ole' 74, I've riped out the bedroom floor because of wood rot from leaking windows.
In the process I removed the water heater (American Appliance). Although not leaking it looks very tired and the annode is frozen. So with that in mind.. if I break it, I will need to replace it. From what I have learned so far is that, the company is out of business and the only water heater that will fit the hole is a Suburban. Here's the kicker.. my water heater is also connected to the engine coolent to supply hot water going down the road I suppose. I suppose it could also pre-heat the engine for those cold days although, I don't see any pump in the system (or at least I haven't found it).

I do not see that Suburban has a like model.

Are there any other options...within reason?

Jimmy

[folivier]

Raritan has electric water heaters with engine option, they have (I think) from 6 gallon through 20 gallon sizes. I just replaced my 20 gal. Check on ebay for better prices. There are a couple other companies mostly made for boats which may work. The Raritan is round so don't know if they will fit.
If you can't find one to fit you could always eliminate the engine option by connecting the hoses together. There may be valves on the engine to turn off the coolant flow through the hoses.
Good luck.

[encantotom]

hi jimmy,

i am not sure when they started adding the pumps. it maybe after yours was made.

i have two pumps. one clearly visable on the frame rail next to the engine on the drivers side and one behind the front end cap above the headlights on the passenger side.

i also replaced the 20 gallon coolant and electric heat raritan. they are expensive, like over 700 bucks if i remember right. so if you can find one on ebay like forest did (and one was on right after i bought mine) it is a good thing.

the coolant heat ones are awesome. i can drive for 30 minutes and have hot water.

in fact, if you check this site, you will see i put a tempering valve in to keep my grandkids from getting hot water burns.

but, if you dont want it, a 110v one would be a ton cheaper

give me a call if you want to talk about it

tom

[jwe648]

Sounds like I better put some effort in saving the old heater as I don't think I have a spot for the round one. The hot water from the enging sounds like something I should try to keep.. And if I moved it somewhere else then I would be facing reparing a large hole in the sidewall of the coach.

Thanks Tom.. I'll look harder for a pump in the engine area. I'm probally going to replace all the engine/coach heater hose anyway... wish me luck!

Note: Replacing the bedroom floor isn't too bad once you've started it ....

[prairieschooner]

Jimmy,
Try this link, it is the Water heater that I installed. The SEAWARD is much less $$$ than the RARITAN and they are just Water Heaters. The RARITAN is better quality but I can but 2 SEAWARDS to one RARITAN! I would rather have a smaller Water Heater anyway because we want to do more Dry-Camping. We have not needed any more Hot Water yet but we are used to conserving;
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/120397/377%20710/0/water%20heater/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377 (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/120397/377%20710/0/water%20heater/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377) 710&Ne=0&Ntt=water heater&Ntk=Primary Search&Ntx=mode matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=water heater&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=11&subdeptNum=27&classNum=0#

Here is a link to the SHURFLO On-Demand Water Pumps. I chose the 3.0 GPM Pump to help conserve water while Dry-Camping (less flow, less water used);
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/244938/377%20710%201525/0/Freshwater%20Systems/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/30/0?N=377 710 1525&Ne=0&Ntt=Freshwater Systems&Ntx=mode matchallpartial&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=11&subdeptNum=27&classNum=74

You will need an Accumulator as well, this one will work but a larger one would work better. If you want a larger Accumulator Tank just look further under GROCO;
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/244948/377%20710%201525/0/Freshwater%20Systems/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/20/0?N=377 710 1525&Ne=0&Ntt=Freshwater Systems&Ntx=mode matchallpartial&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=11&subdeptNum=27&classNum=300

You may be able to find these parts for less but this is a supplier that I am used to.

[encantotom]

hi jimmy,

i took out the bladder tank on mine. if you have a need for it, you can have it when you come over for dinner some nite.

tom

[chockwald]

Jimmy,
Try this link, it is the Water heater that I installed. The SEAWARD is much less $$$ than the RARITAN and they are just Water Heaters.

Steve, did you have to do any replumbing to accomodate the Seward? I'm going to need to replace my water heater in the near future. Working fine now, but I'm pretty sure it's the original, and am not going to wait for it to spring a leak.

[folivier]

Or replace it before it almost burns up your coach!
Thanks again Tom & David.

[jwe648]

Thanks Steve! The Seaward 6 Gallon looks like an option as I don't need that much hot water... I'll check it out if need be.

Jimmy

Jimmy,
Try this link, it is the Water heater that I installed. The SEAWARD is much less $$$ than the RARITAN and they are just Water Heaters. The RARITAN is better quality but I can but 2 SEAWARDS to one RARITAN! I would rather have a smaller Water Heater anyway because we want to do more Dry-Camping. We have not needed any more Hot Water yet but we are used to conserving;
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/120397/377%20710/0/water%20heater/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377 710&Ne=0&Ntt=water heater&Ntk=Primary Search&Ntx=mode matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=water heater&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=11&subdeptNum=27&classNum=0#

Here is a link to the SHURFLO On-Demand Water Pumps. I chose the 3.0 GPM Pump to help conserve water while Dry-Camping (less flow, less water used);
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/244938/377%20710%201525/0/Freshwater%20Systems/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/30/0?N=377 710 1525&Ne=0&Ntt=Freshwater Systems&Ntx=mode matchallpartial&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=11&subdeptNum=27&classNum=74

You will need an Accumulator as well, this one will work but a larger one would work better. If you want a larger Accumulator Tank just look further under GROCO;
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/244948/377%20710%201525/0/Freshwater%20Systems/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/20/0?N=377 710 1525&Ne=0&Ntt=Freshwater Systems&Ntx=mode matchallpartial&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=11&subdeptNum=27&classNum=300

You may be able to find these parts for less but this is a supplier that I am used to.

[jwe648]

Dinner sounds good. We are going on our winter trip to Tx this weekend w/the five'r but if you around in Dec we'll give you a call!

hi jimmy,

i took out the bladder tank on mine. if you have a need for it, you can have it when you come over for dinner some nite.

tom

[jwe648]

Thanks for all the input. I settled on the Suburban Heater. Primarly because it fit the hole where the old American Appliance heater was installed. It's the 6 gal combo propane/electric/motor aid. Fired it up today no leaks and I have HOT water. Check** Plumbing done! Bedroom Done!! (except carpet) Soooo with that I move to the front...