The Water Heater

In my titling of this week's blog entry, I just couldn't muster up clever.  So the heading stands.

I've come to realize that everything comes in "twos."  At least, it does for the purpose of building a portable home on wheels.  Now, it may be that since I have only two consecutive days each week devoted entirely to construction, that I force myself to accomplish tasks in a timely manner.  Or, the adverse could be true, that I know I've got two days so I can work at a pace below par.  I'm not sure, because I lack any sort of bench mark against which I might measure performance.  My hunch, though, is that the latter is true.  Also, a trip to Home Depot is worth roughly two hundred smackers, just about every time, without fail. 

That being said, I'll get right into this past weekend's festivities.   

I started with a box.  Yes, you're on the edge of your seat.

For those not in the know, all propane powered appliances that operate within a confined space must be sealed from the inside, so that any potential wayward gas cannot contaminate the living quarters.  Under most circumstances, this means that refrigerators, water heaters and furnaces are enclosed in their own boxes that are accessible only from outside the vehicle via an access door and are vented to the outside, as well.  

Due to multiple restrictions and considerations, I've decided to make my water heater accessible from inside the vehicle.  My decision is based largely on the fact that the water heater operates "on demand," which means it only throws the burner on when water surges through it.  Which also means that it will only be on momentarily during a shower or when I'm using the sink.  And, by default, I will be awake while it operates.  A flip of a switch will turn off the water heater when not in use and a remote solenoid will seal off the propane when it is not needed.  The bottom of the sealed water heater locker will have ventilation to allow any potentially leaking gas to escape, as propane gas is heavier than oxygen.

First, I cracked open my trusty can of Henry's Roofing sealant.  It's flexible, durable, water proof and non-flammable. 

An artist at work

 

And there's the first layer of aluminum. 

So, there's the box completely sealed in with aluminum.  I treated the corners with a generous helping of Henry's 900 and angle pieces. 

I then made the cross beams that will hold the heater.

Just have to add the lid...

My girl took such a cool picture, I just had to take a few moments with photoshop.

My propaganda campaign.

The front will be screwed in with a tight lining of weather seal all the way around. 

And, a flip-up access door will also get a layer of rubber seal.

As I said, I will be cutting some holes in the bottom for water and propane access.  Those will also serve as ventilation for any wayward gas. 

The hole on the backside of the locker will vent the heat to the outside.  I have a stainless steel grommet on order that will add a nice cosmetic finish to the hole from outside the vehicle and that will also bridge the gap between the wall and the box, thereby allowing that heat to head only in one direction -- out.  Basically, all vent connections heading outward are first male then female.  That way, the heat is always guided through the metal tubing and not out through a seam.   

Along with an additional interior floor vent and a CO2 detector, I believe I've covered my bases.

So what's for dinner after a long hard couple of days of scheming and problem solving?  I'm glad you asked.  My girl is an awesome cook and I'm the luckiest guy alive.  We'll be camping, in no time!