on-demand water heaters

[terracore]

Our circulating pump (for solar system) is a Grundfos UP15-29SU. Our catchment pump is a Grundfos JPS4-A.

[Lee M-S]

spent 2-3 hours reading the eccotemp website and trying to make the darn thing heat water. There's actually a way to make it less sensitive to water pressure; or at least that's what the website says. It even had a lovely photo that didn't look anything like our model, even though it was supposed to.

Then we spent 10 minutes getting our electric water heater set up again (never disconnected it). I had the BEST shower tonight!

><(((*< ... ><(("< ... ><('< ... >o>

[MarkP]

If you can't make the ecotemp working there is something wrong either with the heater or your water supply system. There are certain quirks innate to on-demand water heaters but they do work.

[ericlp]

Hmmm, maybe your problem is?

1) your are trying to mix HOT and COLD from the unit? I would suspect if you are using a mixing valve from a conventional plumbing there isn't enough pressure...

** if you do have it on a mixer valve, usually a valve will only give you 80% of the hot (safety reasons)... try, hooking the Hot up to cold side of the valve.

2) Remove any water saving features from the shower head. Usually there is some sort of saving restrictor washer you can pry out and remove. This will give you max flow.

Enjoy your shower! BTW, the L5 is 95 bucks shipped via amazon, I bought another for a backup because mine is shutting off at 'cold' start and I have to restart it 30 seconds into the shower. After a second restart it works fine. I'm thinking it's a sensor issue, and since I got about 4.5 years out of the one I got, I looked at parts and they want 10 bucks plus shipping for a sensor I'm not sure if it's the flame sensor or the temp sensor. At any rate, the old one will be the parts machine.

Cheers!

[randomq]

I love my L5, except when it's windy and it cuts out (very outdoor shower). I put splitters before and after the heater for hot and cold water into my house, but the shower is fed only from the hot side, and adjusted directly via the heater controls. I'd recommend that for simplicity.

Also, don't forget to buy/use the strainer, if not a real filter. Catchment crud can build up and clog the system, slowing the flow and making the heater cut out, if not cleaned periodically. Also clean out any shower heads or sink aerators, as some crud will build up there as well, if not adequately filtered.

[Guest]

These heaters cut out if the water flow becomes too slow in order to prevent the equipment from being damaged by the water boiling before it makes it through the heat exchanger.

There is a control on the front regulating the minimum flow rate. Read the manual.

For showering, establish a healthy hot water flow, then regulate temperature with the cold water valve. Leave the hot water valve alone once the hot water flow is established.

You need to establish a healthy hot water flow, because the back pressure from the cold water can lower the flow rate of the hot water until it shuts down.

Been using one several years. No problems.

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You can't fix Samsara.

[VancouverIslander]

We have HELCO supplied electricity so an AC pump, a pressure tank and a Takagi Jr. on demand water heater. Seems to work fine. I'd think a decent sized pressure tank would mitigate a lot of problems. Just don't have a shower while you are doing laundry, dishes and watering your garden.

Me ka ha`aha`a,
Mike