Water Heater Wet Cardboard (split from Drycamping Tips)

[Francesca Knowles]

Boyoboy am I glad you folks with real water heaters checked in to help Baj!
Here's a picture of MY trailer hot water heater:

Francesca

[Carol H]

Geee glad Im not camping with you - that would be a very short shower indeed!

[Baj]

I found this picture of what the cardboard insulation jacket looked like before it got wet:


So it does exist and possibly originally put in by Scamp or someone replaced the original with this type. On a side note I like this bypass idea if you didn't need to use your hot water and didn't want your tank to get full and have to drain it. But back to my dilemma of having a bare tank that needs to be insulated again. I still don't think spraying it with foam insulation is a good idea since it will be so messy and it probably won't stick to the metal tank anyway... so I've been searching for something to wrap it in..this home hw tank jacket from home depot may work well after cutting it down to scamp size:

Or I was also thinking that a peice of insulated duct jacket in a big enough diameter that would slide over it may work well:


Still open to all ideas, suggestions or what you have done already...

[Carol H]

I have the bypass system and do use it when camping for quick one night astop nd not using the hot water tank/just boil water if needed. I do not like to tow with water in the tank so it saves having to dump it out.

[Francesca Knowles]

Hi, Baj

I like the way you think!
I'm a make-it-work type myself, and am always looking for readily available materials to do a job they might not have originally been designed for...
I have to say that I'm interested in the spray-foam insulation suggested, but having worked with it before I find its "expansion" properties a bit intimidating in a situation like yours- I'm not sure how one would contain it while it dries.
I think either of your two alternatives would work well- any leftover materials could be used for insulation elsewhere in the trailer!
Don't forget about good ol' duct tape when you're putting your "blanket" on.
I know you have some- you're a do-it-yourselfer, aren't you?


Francesca

[Baj]

What are the downsides to towing with a full hw tank? Just the possibility of springing a leak?

[Baj]

Haha thanks Francesca! I like the way you think aswell, I still love your idea to use screening to wrap the insulation in... But duct tape sounds easier and dont we all have the magical stuff haha...I also have silver duct seam tape left over from a home ducting project that is super sticky!

[Greg H]

Just extra weight.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Baj

Haha thanks Francesca! I like the way you think aswell, I still love your idea to use screening to wrap the insulation in... But duct tape sounds easier and dont we all have the magical stuff haha...I also have silver duct seam tape left over from a home ducting project that is super sticky!

Oh, Yeah- I know the tape you mean- it's got a little criss-cross thread pattern in it...
I have a roll, too- but I mostly use it for its decorative properties.

Francesca

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Baj

What are the downsides to towing with a full hw tank? Just the possibility of springing a leak?

hehe - had not actually thought about it leaking. A full hot water tank is about 50lbs of extra weight.

[Baj]

Finally got around to insulating my hot water tank today. I ended up using an 8"(biggest dia. home depot had in stock) insulated duct sleeve:

Cut a piece off about 24" long to allow extra on each end of the tank to wrap and tape, then sliced the foil exterior shell down the middle(didn't have to slice the insulation itself since it was already cut lengthwise) with some patience slide it in past the cold water line and behind the tank. Then laid it over and tucked it in under the front side. I used silver foil ducting seam sealer tape to tape the ends closed. I cut a few more small pieces and tucked in behind under the tank where it goes through the wall of the trailer to the outside controls. I'm pretty happy with how it came out, besides it looking like jiffypop popcorn ready to explode
It will do for now and easily removable if I come across a better insulator.
Here is a pic, let me know if you have any other suggestions now that you see what I'm working with.

[Francesca Knowles]

Brilliant!
And shiny, too...

Francesca

[Carol H]

Looks good! I am not sure it really matters a whole lot what you put on it - it is mostly to keep in warm once its hot and it sure does not take it long for it to get hot! Just remember to drain it out well each winter so it doesnt freeze up.