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I was looking at the Truma AquaGo tankless water heaters. On the Truma website, I checked my area for a location where I can purchase but they only seemed to list RV repair or RV renovation companies. Can you purchase these online or from an RV dealer & install yourself?
I understand it is a only dealer installed unit. Know it requires a larger gas line than some units have. Also intake for gas is on opposite side from the standards. This may be why. I sorta want it myself. DW and I get alone fine with our 10 gallon but company runs out.
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2003 Teton Grand Freedon 2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3 SOLD 2006 Freightliner Century 120 with Detroit 14L singled, ultrashift, hauling a 2016 Smart Passion
We have the AquaGo and love it. We are also tight with the Truma folks, so I've sent them an email to get an official company response to your question. I know they are very particular about installation, so I suspect they only want people they have specifically trained and certified to do the installs. As Glenn said, it's not as easy as just dropping one in place of a traditional Atwood or Suburban.
Here is the official answer. Pretty much what we expected, but I'm glad Elden took the time to prepare something for us.
Thank you for your interest in the Truma AquaGo hybrid instant water heater, the only RV water heater using hybrid technology to prevent scalding while providing a constant temperature.
Our primary focus is to provide the best possible experience for all RVers by offering high-quality products like the Truma AquaGo. As a result, Truma products are only available through Truma Partners who receive comprehensive training from our own Technical Sales Representatives to make sure the product you buy is installed safely and properly. Truma technicians regularly visit and train our certified Partners who already have a reputation for providing the best customer service and support possible in their respective local markets.
Due to the inherent risks associated with propane gas, Truma requires that our Partners do not resale propane gas appliances direct to consumers online or in store without one of their certified technicians performing the installation. This ensures that the product is installed according to the manufacturer requirements as well as national gas, electric, fire, health and safety standards.
Thank you for your understanding and interest in Truma products.
Howard
I just talked to a dealer/installer. I wanted the Comfort Plus version, but was told I could not get it - OEM only I was told. I had checked my plumbing, and routing a return line would be a piece of cake. Can you please check with them. I get why they only want trained individuals putting them in while they build their rep in this market.
Yes, the Comfort Plus is only available when installed by the RV manufacturer. It requires additional plumbing as the hot water continuously circulates throughout the RV so that you have true, instantaneous hot water at each faucet as soon as you turn on the hot water. The Comfort model, like we have, is a retro-fit that keeps water hot, but any cold water in the pipes has to clear before the hot water reaches the faucet. The Comfort Plus eliminates any delay.
I can get an official answer regarding the Comfort Plus, but I can bet the response will be 1) it requires too much training expense for a dealer network especially considering all the different RVs with their different plumbing configurations, 2) it's easier and more cost-effective to train a smaller set of technicians at the manufacturer level, and 3) it's easier to install when all the plumbing is being is being laid out as the unit is being built.
As you indicated, they want to control installations as much as possible as they build their reputation and I just don't think they are ready to roll out the additional training for the Comfort Plus beyond the manufacturers. But before I put any more words in their mouth, I'll see what they have to say. :)
fly2low wrote:
Howard I just talked to a dealer/installer. I wanted the Comfort Plus version, but was told I could not get it - OEM only I was told. I had checked my plumbing, and routing a return line would be a piece of cake. Can you please check with them. I get why they only want trained individuals putting them in while they build their rep in this market.
Here is the word from Truma regarding the AquaGo Comfort Plus and why it is only an OEM option at this time.
From the perspective of the aftermarket, it is difficult to re-plumb a vehicle after it has already been built up for the recirculation line to be most effective and deliver the results expected of the AquaGo Comfort Plus. Additionally, for many dealers that charge shop rates of $100-155/hr, it can be prohibitively expensive to make a proper installation in the aftermarket. For these reasons, we have taken the decision to make this product available as an OEM install only, at least for this time.
Howard
Thanks for checking for me. I figured that was the answer. I will wait until they change their stance. My main reason for wanting an instant on heater was to save water while boondocking.
Our Truma AquaGo water heater was installed this past weekend! The installation took 10 hours!!! But the unit is in & working. We LOVE having the endless hot water. Thanks Howard & also Jack Mayer for testing these units & sharing your experience!
We also have this unit thanks to Howard and Jack Mayer. We have been using it now for 3 months and works great, no limit to the length of your shower. Have been very surprised by how little propane it uses. Would never buy a RV again without it
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Bob C
The fulltime Dream begins, class of 2016
2016 Dodge Ram 5500 HD Classy Chassis hauler bed/air ride
What's the extra propane demand due to it being propane only? We generally run our current water heater on electric 95% of the time and a 40 pound cylinder lasts us months and months since it's only used for the stove. What's a typical 40 pound fill give you with the Truma before it needs refilling?
We have been on the same 40# bottle now for two months and it is just coming off full.
We do normally only have it on for a couple hours in the morning and then maybe a hour in the evening. No need to keep it on all the time because you get hot water so fast.
This has been a great product for us so far
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Bob C
The fulltime Dream begins, class of 2016
2016 Dodge Ram 5500 HD Classy Chassis hauler bed/air ride
We have been on the same 40# bottle now for two months and it is just coming off full. We do normally only have it on for a couple hours in the morning and then maybe a hour in the evening. No need to keep it on all the time because you get hot water so fast. This has been a great product for us so far
Thanks Bob…sounds like it's not really a big propane suck…even if you left it on in Comfort mode all the time it's still got to last on the order of weeks on a 40 pound cylinder.
We have been on the same 40# bottle now for two months and it is just coming off full. We do normally only have it on for a couple hours in the morning and then maybe a hour in the evening. No need to keep it on all the time because you get hot water so fast. This has been a great product for us so far
Bob:
Having nothing to do with how much LP the Truma uses, be advised those level gauges on the NH LP tanks are not very linear. They will be pegged full; then once they move they will really start moving down. Then once they get near empty the tank still has relatively quite a bit in it. Just future reference. No big deal. Just sharing experience.
Our Truma AquaGo water heater was installed this past weekend! The installation took 10 hours!!! But the unit is in & working. We LOVE having the endless hot water. Thanks Howard & also Jack Mayer for testing these units & sharing your experience!
10 hours is just crazy. Even if one had to run a new propane line, I can't see no 10 hours. Goes in same hole that the propane 12, 16 go.
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2003 Teton Grand Freedon 2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3 SOLD 2006 Freightliner Century 120 with Detroit 14L singled, ultrashift, hauling a 2016 Smart Passion
I agree with Glen West ... my installation took about 4 hours and my installer was a "detail freak". The Truma goes right where the old HWH was, which had (1) gas, (2) 120V AC and (3) 12V DC already there. Just terminate the 120V AC and use the DC and gas. Too easy!!
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Ron and Janice
2016 Ford F350, King Ranch, DRW, 4x4, CC, 6.7 PS Diesel, remote control air lift system
2017 Durango Gold 381REF, Lambright furniture, MCD shades, morRYDE IS, 8K Disc brakes, GY G114 LR H Tires, 27,320 lbs CGVW
Yes, RonC & Glenn West, I was quite surprised at how long it took. I was working that day but my hubby was here. The installer was here when I left in the morning, still here when I stopped in for lunch & dinner, & only left shortly before I came home in the evening. He had been trained by Truma a couple months ago, but ours was the 1st install he ever did. But he was a nice guy, he finally got it done & it sure is wonderful to have.
We have been on the same 40# bottle now for two months and it is just coming off full. We do normally only have it on for a couple hours in the morning and then maybe a hour in the evening. No need to keep it on all the time because you get hot water so fast. This has been a great product for us so far
Thanks Bob…sounds like it's not really a big propane suck…even if you left it on in Comfort mode all the time it's still got to last on the order of weeks on a 40 pound cylinder.
Neil ... from my experience a 30 lbs bottle of propane will go 8 weeks with two long hot showers per day (in Eco mode), assuming no other demands on propane other than the AquaGo. It's definitely not as cheap as free electricity, but for the quality of the experience, it's a pretty cheap ride. It's like anything, it's only worth it if it's worth it to you. It is a very well made, easy to use product. No sacrificial anode to mess with, no draining issues, clean out is silly easy ... it's quite a good product.
-- Edited by RonC on Tuesday 6th of September 2016 08:28:29 AM
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Ron and Janice
2016 Ford F350, King Ranch, DRW, 4x4, CC, 6.7 PS Diesel, remote control air lift system
2017 Durango Gold 381REF, Lambright furniture, MCD shades, morRYDE IS, 8K Disc brakes, GY G114 LR H Tires, 27,320 lbs CGVW
