Interesting heat solution based on water heater

[luked]

Anyone seen something like this? I'm installing a 6gal propane water heater and this may be a cheaper solution to a propex heater. Doubt it would work in sub zero but who knows. I thought it was worth sharing

starts at 7:25

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCj6qYClzgo

basically propane water heater, water routed and pumped through a small radiator with 12v fan that blows across it to heat the van. Obviously works like a typical water cooled engine heater but without the engine running

Luke

[Bbasso]

Seems simple on the outside but would be rather complex to have it run properly.
I'll stick with my Espar D4

[DCHitt]

You can get water heaters that come with three ways to heat the water.

1. Engine.
2. Propane.
3. Electric.

I had one of these and always thought it would be a good idea to just add a small 12 volt circulating pump to the line that was being used to heat the water from the engine. In the Winnebago that I had there was also something they called "Motor Aid" that was really a radiator and fan using the engine hot water.

So by adding a small pump I could get heat to the "Motor Aid" from the engine when it was running and from the hot water heater when the motor is not running.

Killed a lot of birds with a single 12 volt pump added. Heat from Propane, Engine, Electric, and stored in hot water.

What I didn't figure out is how well it would heat the RV.

I think you have a good idea since great minds run along the same lines.

[LenS]

Have a friend who heated his basement in Iowa that way. Used his house water heater as the hot water source and floor radiators in the various basement rooms. Worked fine.