Wind baffle for water heater

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I just installed a wind baffle on my water heater door on my Casita.

The last few outings, the water heater pilot blew out several times. Not being wealthy, I thought I'd try a wind break before springing for a re-igniter.

I fashioned the baffle from a double thickness of 6" aluminum flashing cut to 11" length. At each end I made a ½" 90º bend then 1" from that I made another 90º bend. The finished product is 8" wide by 6" high and it is 1" away from the vent screen. I put one rivet in the center to hold the two pieces together.

The first photo shows the finished baffle and the tape I used to install it. The second photo is a closeup of the baffle mounted to the door. The third is the water heater door showing the baffle in place.

I'll let you know how the tape holds.

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3debd71987e9atape.jpg/>

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3debd6c9f3c9dbaffle.jpg/>

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3debd7914419cdoor.jpg/>

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Morgan,
I think I would buzz a couple of sheet metal screws in from the inside.
The tape alone may be iffy.
When I had a stationary 28 foot stick thing, my water heater would blow out from the wind too. It funneled into my site just right, even with a cover like yours it still went out, some days several times.:sick
When I moved the trailer to Wisc. the setup was just right I guess, because it never blew out again.

Now I don't worry cause I don't have hot water in my Burro.
sniff,sniff:weep :weep :weep

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Orginally posted by pjanits

Morgan,
I think I would buzz a couple of sheet metal screws in from the inside.
The tape alone may be iffy.
When I had a stationary 28 foot stick thing, my water heater would blow out from the wind too. It funneled into my site just right, even with a cover like yours it still went out, some days several times.:sick
When I moved the trailer to Wisc. the setup was just right I guess, because it never blew out again.

Now I don't worry cause I don't have hot water in my Burro.
sniff,sniff:weep :weep :weep

Thanks Pete,

I'll let you know how the tape works out. If it doesn't hold, I'll use rivets. I may find the aluminum is too flimsy also; it's a prototype.

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You do nice work!;)

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nifty idea! I like it.:)


Perhaps you could drill a couple of holes in the front big enough for a screwdriver shaft and fasten it with screws that way.

(or is that a no-no for fiberglass integrity?)

P.S. That workbench looks kinda new - did you have to buy that to hold the new mod? :E :E *just kidding!*

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Orginally posted by Suz

You do nice work!;)

Just not much of it. :bed

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Orginally posted by Rick

nifty idea! I like it.:)


Perhaps you could drill a couple of holes in the front big enough for a screwdriver shaft and fasten it with screws that way.

(or is that a no-no for fiberglass integrity?)

P.S. That workbench looks kinda new - did you have to buy that to hold the new mod? :E :E *just kidding!*

Rick,

The water heater door is sheet metal. I can rivet from inside the door if need be. I just have to get small enough to fit in the compartment. :laugh

The work bench is new, I bought it to hold my outboard motor. Those top planks pivot up 90º and clamp together. It works great as a sheet metal break, too. It cost US$16 at Big Lots. :banana

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I found that Home Despot does not carry the VHB tape, I bought it at Lowe's.

Sorry for my lying ways. :hide

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We took the Lazy M camping for three days starting on Boxing Day.

The 3M VHB tape I used to mount the wind baffle worked flawlessly. The water heater went out once, so the baffle may need work.

We didn't go very far, but we were off-roading some.

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Morgan,
I've looked this thread over, and I can't find where you said if you were moving (the trailer, not you personally) or not when the hot water heater goes out. I read somewhere you weren't to travel with the ref on propane, so I assume the w/h shouldn't be on either. having remembered all this, I surmised you were parked in the beautiful lake spot when this w/h incident happened?
BUMMER :sad what a way to deteriorate a perfect time.

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Orginally posted by Thomas and Janifer

Morgan,
I've looked this thread over, and I can't find where you said if you were moving (the trailer, not you personally) or not when the hot water heater goes out. I read somewhere you weren't to travel with the ref on propane, so I assume the w/h shouldn't be on either. having remembered all this, I surmised you were parked in the beautiful lake spot when this w/h incident happened?
BUMMER :sad what a way to deteriorate a perfect time.

JJ Pullstrailerwithyellowescape,

Thanks for the concern, but it's not a big deal when it goes out. I just relight it. That's not so easy when the wind is blowing into the compartment, but to paraphrase an old Indian friend, I endeavor to persevere. Before the baffle, it would blow out several times a day during windy conditions.

Your surmission was correct. I always turn off the water heater when traveling. I sometimes drive with the refrigerator running on propane. One has to remember to turn it off during a refueling stop.

I surmise you're not hung over from all your New Year revelry last night. :sick

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Na! :nope I made it last night just fine. all that -partying- didn't last long. Getting ready for the big game today almost did me in though. Livingroom TV was about to blow, so bought a new one. and of course it was bigger, so had to have a new cabinet to put it on. getting all that off the pickup and set up, I'm exhausted. :zz good thing I only have to do that once every twenty years. why didn't I do that when the kids were here? :bh