Date:         Fri, 8 Jan 1999 09:34:56 -0800
Reply-To:     Nathaniel Merrill <nmerrill@PARAMETRIX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Nathaniel Merrill <nmerrill@PARAMETRIX.COM>
Subject:      Hot water system thoughts
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Hello all,
I have been contemplating this for a while and thought I would elicit comments from the majority...
I would like to have hot (if not at least warm) water in the westy for these cold seasons.  I am aware of the Zodi systems which look nice and functional but they don't meet the "I built it" project requirements.  Although they may have a place in the system after all.   My idea is was stolen from my mothers Rialta (and many others I am sure).  Use the engine to heat the water.  I originally thought of one of those extra "grey" water or other tanks mounted between the beams as a separate hot water tank.    The idea is to tap into one of the long engine-to-radiator coolant pipes underneath the van.   Add in a short side trip to a copper ( or other material for possible corrosion complications) coil which is mounted inside the tank, and then back to the coolant pipe.  Throw in some valves on the extension so it could be shut off and there it is.   I think I may go with the original westy tank after all.  I usually don't drink from the tank (drinking water usually carried separate) so it would be fine if this water was always warm.  And in the winter warm water would be ok anyway.  This would also be a great way to store some heat after shut down to keep the interior warmer longer,  14 gallons of water holds a lot of energy!  Coolant temp is over the boiling point of water so the potential for really hot water after a longish trip is good I think.
Any potential problems with the system?  Water pump strain? material incompatibilities? Etc,etc, Any body already done this?