Bosch vs. Isotemp | Which Mobile Water Heater Reigns Supreme?

[@michaelb3003]

Another great video! Another advantage of the Isotemp is that because it can heat the water to 170 degrees your able to get more hot water than the amount in the tank - this is because you are typically using the mixing valve to combine with cold water to cool the 170 degree water to a "usable" temperature.

[@SPQR-Z]

The most prevalent van heater are these diesel air heaters. The Webasto DualTop ST 6/8 air and water diesel combo unit are a great all in one solution. Only drawback is they are crazy expensive now

[@TeutonicNordwind]

Jeff, this was great. You do an excellent job of presenting info and your thought processes that get you to your conclusions/opinions. It was one of your videos that pushed me over the edge on choosing the Isotemp (in large part because of the drain ability aspect). Happy new year to you and Lisa and your clan. Dan and Cheryl in the mitten

[@thrivans]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@bobburk9797]

I’ve pulled my Bosch heater out during my winterization to be safe. Found it difficult to dump the water out, and as you said, blowing isn’t effective. Great video!

[@thrivans]

Thank you!

[@abbe1abbe156]

Thank you for this video. It's the best one on this topic.

[@thrivans]

Glad it was helpful!

[@patrickgosselin9756]

really love the idea to start the water heater while moving. between the DC2DC and roof solar it should be more than enough to offset the energy cost. thank you!

[@thrivans]

It helps a lot, but still doesn’t keep up with the demand of the water heater. The water heater pulls 1k to 1.5k watts. Solar and alternator will give you 300 to 500 watts each under the best of conditions. A secondary alternator can give more, however.

[@guitardoc99]

Well you've convinced me! Can you clear up something though, please? You didn't mention anything about a permanently plumbed pressure relief valve/drain for the Isotemp, only a coiled flexible hose for draining it before winter. Looks like it's the same drain(?). Thanks.

[@joewalp]

Have any of your clients used load diversion by the solar charge controller to heat water using DC for the solar panels? If so, what aftermarket DC heating elements are compatible with each of these units? I suspect that the small Bosch reservoir may not accommodate the length of a typical aftermarket DC heating element, but I don't know the dimensional constraints on the heating element of either of these units.

[@jstreutker]

Do propane water heaters work well for a van?

[@thrivans]

They can work, but we don't recommend them due to safety issues. Not a great place to store the propane tank underneath the van.

[@jstreutker]

@@thrivans Thanks!

[@AndrewMetcalfe]

This is a very odd comparison. Comparing them saying "The ISOTEMP is bigger", while ignoring the bigger Bosch is certainly an odd choice. Later you even acknowledge that there is a 4 gallon, in the size discussion. So why didn't you mention that earlier? Why is the Isotemp better because there's a 4 gallon size and the Bosch is not.... then 3 minutes later you mention there's a 4 gallon Bosch? You're ignoring that the Bosch heaters have proven popular exactly because they have shown themselves to be very reliable, marine-rated or not. In terms of draining, you're ignoring that the Bosch 7 gallon has connectors on the side, and are easy to drain. I assume this is because you're selling the ISOTEMP. Which is fine, I guess. But it sure comes off as showing questionable ethics... if you want to be an "influencer" and want people to trust you as someone they should listen to, well - I think you should be doing a much better job. For me, I would prefer to avoid plumbing into the van cooling system, both to avoid the effort and also to avoid any warranty implications of modifying the cooling system. That means the two water-heaters need to be compared on the electrical performance. And the higher electrical draw of the Bosch means that it will heat quicker, and recover quicker. 750 watts vs 14,400 watts will mean the Bosch heats almost twice as fast. The bocsh is Roughly Same size Easy to install Very reliable Far less expensive. Faster to heat water. (the actual only one job it's got, it's better at). Contrary to your review, it is not: Smaller Unreliable Hard to plumb. And that is why it's so popular. Did Isotemp pay you to make this video?