[VAC] Precision Temp Recommendation

[John Leggett <pklhead2@xxxxxxxxx>]

OK Greg, you shamed me into responding.

CrusierBob-

I had Inland RV in Corona install a Precision Temp
RV500 last February in a 1968 Safari that had an old
10 gal Bowen in the bathroom closet.  I have nothing
but praise for the new tankless unit.

It occupies way less than half the space of the old
unit, requires zero clearance, and the exhaust is cool
enough to hold your hand over the exhaust port - so no
soot marks or bluing on the exterior.  Precision sells
a stainless exterior access cover that looks right at
home on an Airstream.  And with a city water
connection you have UNLIMITED hot water (for as long
as your propane holds out).  That was enough to sell
me!

The manufacturer claims it's 20% more efficient than
convention heaters and there's no heating and
reheating the same tankful of water when you're not
using it.  Response time to get hot water to the tap
is no different than with a tank heater.

Sure, it's pricey, but I don't intend to replace but
one water heater in my lifetime, and I'm hopeful there
is less to rust out, corrode or freeze up (if ever
left in cold country, which San Francisco ain't). 
There's no more than a quart of water contained in the
unit at any given time, so even springing a leak
represents less of a mess than having a 10 gal tank
let go.

So for all these reasons I convinced myself it was
worth the "extravagance".

The one weak spot to watch-out for in the whole design
is the check valve where you connect the water supply
to the unit.  The component is manufactured inhouse at
Precision Temp by machining out standard copper tubing
or pipe (I don't remember which) to allow for the
check valve insert, but in doing so it reduces the
sidewall of the copper to where it is VERY easy to
twist the thing right off when attaching the water
lines (right, Greg?!)  I have one here I could show
you, in fact!  And it ain't cheap to replace.  So be
very, very careful when it comes to that last
installation step.

Otherwise, the unit has performed flawlessly since
installation.  This propane tankless heater is the
only way to go (IMHO).  You won't be disappointed.


John Leggett
1968 Safari
WBCCI #1154