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Atlincabin
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# Posted: 1 Jul 2026 11:50am
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I have an older EZTankless propane heater as well as an Eccotemp L5 heater. Both have been working fairly reliably for many years but are nearing the end of their lifetimes. Just wondering if there are other alternatives out there that I should consider (must be LP, but either battery or 120v for power is ok) that folks have had good luck with. Or if anyone has done a recent comparison of these things. Thanks in advance for any info.
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Fanman
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# Posted: 2 Jul 2026 08:15am
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I'm in the same situation with a 20 year old Bosch tankless. I'm amazed it still works. Sadly, they don't make them any more. I'm very pleased with the Rheem tankless we have at the house (so efficient it vents through PVC pipe), but it requires 120VAC, and while we have power at the cabin, it's unreliable.
Problem is none of the big names seem to make battery ignition models any more.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 2 Jul 2026 09:25am
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We have a 30gal electric WH at home that is adequate for the 2 of us; we get 2 decent showers back2back if needed and it reheats quickly. Even when power goes out we dont have to do anything to reset so I dont understand why unreliable power at a cabin would be any different, wouldnt it just carry on after power is back?
Some RV's have a small elec tank too, at least used to, should be able to get one from an RV salvage, though maybe not at energy efficient as a new residential tank. One still could extra jacket one.
Im thinking that an expensive 'on demand' maybe isn't really needed since a small tank unit even if turned off in your absence will heat up quick once you get there and switch on. Our home unit is hot enough for a shower in about 1/2hr when Ive turned it off when we have gone on vacation.
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Steve_S
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# Posted: 2 Jul 2026 10:13am
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I have an older EcoTemp FVI12 for my "hot water" and it still works like it always has BUT this is a pretty basic & cheaper model they have.
It has one major flaw, it does not regulate temps very well at all. It all depends on the incoming water temp as expected but it allows the output hot to go up/down without control. I get hit badly by this because my water comes from a 300' deep well (quite cool) this goes into a 50 Gal pressure tank in the pumphouse, which is heated to 15C/59F in winter & up to 30C/86F in summer. From the pumphouse it runs 75' underground within an insulated conduit passage to the house, so temps tend to be cooler in that part (not as cool as the well itself). The damned EcoTemp winds up too hot wen pulling from the pipe & pressure tannk but once that get's cooled by well water the output temps drops, in the meantime it fluctuates. VERY ANNOYING IN A SHOWER !!!
They have newer & slightly more expensive models with output temp regulation that works, so it keeps the output temp as set regardless of water input temp, as they throttle flow a bit. These are available as Electric (120V) or LPG or Natural gas. * NB: I have no idea how they are priced in USA because in Canada we do not have the crazy tariffs the pile on top.
My Takagi On-Demand heater (used for radiant floor with antifreeze in it) is quite a different beast & far more $$. It has far more advanced temp control & regulation but as I do not have it plumbed into the water system, it's different.
Because I am 100% offgrid, solar powered with a decent-sized battery bank, I will likely install a Heatpump Water Heater which are now coming down to reasonable & respectable pricing while also having been out there for 5+ years which are now "mature & debugged". Always good to let new tech mature & get debugged before getting into it and now there are many more options available and pricing is reflected by being quite a bit cheaper now too. NB: Some still charge a hefty premium due to their branding mostly.
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Fanman
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# Posted: 2 Jul 2026 02:27pm
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Quoting: gcrank1 Even when power goes out we dont have to do anything to reset so I dont understand why unreliable power at a cabin would be any different, wouldnt it just carry on after power is back?
It's not that... our water supply doesn't rely on power, and since the heater doesn't either we still have hot showers during a multi day power outage.
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philpom
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# Posted: 2 Jul 2026 03:43pm - Edited by: philpom
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We use a CampLux instant LP water heater. Uses 2 D batteries for ignition. Ours uses an RV style water pump that runs on 12v but and pressurized water source would work. They have models with a flue that can be installed in an RV for example, ours just hangs on the porch wall and vents directly. We bought the cheapest one, no digital water set feature so water in impact temp of water out. Works qell for us. Here is one they offer for tiny home, rv, etc with advanced controls: https://camplux.com/products/tankless-water-heater-for-rv-with-pump
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travellerw
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# Posted: 3 Jul 2026 08:49pm
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We use an Ecotemp L5. Initially I hated it as it really doesn't work with a mixing valve (like in your shower).
However, we have started to set the temp manually every time we go to the cabin. One person inside running the hot water and another person outside adjusting the temp. Inside person yells when its just right.
Its stays a good temp for the whole weekend. I think it works because we draw from a 1000L tank that stays pretty stable in temp over 2-3 days.
It is definately much easier on propane than our 10 gallon tank in our RV.
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FishHog
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# Posted: 4 Jul 2026 07:47am
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I do the same as travellerw, with the exception of mine is an L10. Just replaced it with my second one after 12 years as I had a small leak in old one.
Mine is mounted within reach of the shower, so we just reach out and adjust as necessary and its good for weeks at a time without further adjustments.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 4 Jul 2026 11:12am - Edited by: gcrank1
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When we used the Ecotemp L5 with our A-Liner, and at home on the back deck during our only bathroom remodel (dont believe a bathroom remodel in One Day!) we hung it within reach so any adjustment was easy, just get it going, adjust temp (not unlike what we have to do in any shower) and step under.
It hasn't been run in 10yrs or so, but I drained and flushed it for storage (dont Forget to always remove the igniter batteries when in storage!). Suppose I ought to give it a test run this summer.
BTW, I only ever used it with a water hose hooked up, has anyone used a gravity tank maybe 7-8' up to supply water rather than water under pump pressure?
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paulz
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# Posted: 4 Jul 2026 11:28am
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Yeah mine will run under gravity, about 20’, but have to fuss with the pressure knob to get it to kick on.
Haven't checked the D batteries this year. Last time had to scrape some corrosion. Darz, do they make those green rechargeable in D? Will they corrode less?
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darz5150
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# Posted: 4 Jul 2026 11:48am - Edited by: darz5150
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Quoting: paulz Darz, do they make those green rechargeable in D?
Yes they do. I don't know about the corrosion factor tho.
I've only had 1 AAA corrode, but the radio I had them in, I left out in the rain.
They also make D & C adapter sleeves, that basically shim up the AAA /AA size to fit your device.
You already have some that came with your mini gas pump.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 4 Jul 2026 12:01pm
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I almost Amazon ordered a pair of lith-D's last night, they would be handy for my Harbor Freight pumps, some cool old flashlights And my Marx battery powered locomotive (yeah, Ive been 'collecting' and running vintage trains for 40+ years).
Ime the worst thing to do is leave batteries in occasional use devices. I now remove the bats and keep the set close by device 'cause I SO Hate the corrosion Failure factor!
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philpom
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# Posted: 4 Jul 2026 01:33pm
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Quoting: gcrank1 I SO Hate the corrosion Failure factor!
I ruined a pair of night vision goggles that way.
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Atlincabin
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# Posted: 4 Jul 2026 02:45pm
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Thanks for the input. thread seems to be drifting a bit now.... I'll likely just replace with another EZ since this one seems to have lasted a long time.
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Borrego
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2026 05:58pm
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I tried various tankless WH's over a few years before finally just getting a 40 g Rheem. Zero issues, always good-to-go. Plus built-in water storage. Not sure why more don't go this route?
I have a 500 g LP tank. Propane companies will deliver almost anywhere nowadays, even the middle of nowhere like my place...
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travellerw
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2026 10:37pm
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If I had to do it again, I would do a true residential on demand water heater inside above the toilet (just the best spot for it). PVC direct venting outside. That way, no worries about temperature or pressure.
I was drawn to the Ecotemp one as I felt like having everything outside made sense. Plus price..... I'm cheap and the Ecotemp was like 1/4 the cost of a real residential one!
However, I did find a STUPID deal on an RV tank water heater. I'm considering putting it either in front of the Ecotemp or after (Ecotemp feeds whatever temp water into the tank which then feeds the shower). Pretty sure that will solve the temp problem, at the cost of propane to store 5 gal of hot water!
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2026 10:48pm
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Do like we have done at home with the elec WH, put in a timer. It will store hot water very well over the blocks of hours you dont use any or very little.
If you anticipate a change in schedule the timers have an over-ride.
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Fanman
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2026 11:01pm
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Quoting: Atlincabin I tried various tankless WH's over a few years before finally just getting a 40 g Rheem. Zero issues, always good-to-go. Plus built-in water storage. Not sure why more don't go this route?
A tankless heater takes a lot less space than a tank, and uses less gas because it's not keeping the water good all the time.
I have to bring in my 100# propane tanks down the trail on a hand truck.
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Borrego
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# Posted: 8 Jul 2026 10:35am
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Quoting: Fanman A tankless heater takes a lot less space than a tank, and uses less gas because it's not keeping the water good all the time.
They do take less space, but they use so much more energy to produce hot water. (4X as much). So if used a lot, they are not really more efficient. But for Off-Grid cabin usage, yes they are a good choice.
I just got tired of always messing with the tankless and went back to the good ole' tank models....of course they are turned off (or on 'vacation mode') when I'm not there.
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Fanman
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# Posted: 8 Jul 2026 12:00pm
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Quoting: Borrego They do take less space, but they use so much more energy to produce hot water. (4X as much). So if used a lot, they are not really more efficient.
They use energy at a higher rate while they're running, but use nothing otherwise. Overall, the energy use is lower.
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