Is the Girard Gen III a Winner???

[I-RV]

It is a shame that Girard took so long to correct the Gen I & II (GSWH-1 & GSWH-1M) to a tankless water heater that looks like it may be a winner, Also as we know FR couldn't wait so long and changed now to Atwood.

The Gen III (GSWH-2) controls the heater's output water temperature, independent of water flow. You can thereby mix cold water at the shower just as in your home.

Girard will sell me the Gen III for $400 plus shipping. I am thinking of getting it with the exception where I need your help. The Gen III comes with a new (hinged) white door. I started to get prices for getting the door painted at places that do air brushing, like for motorcycles. So far, I got $120-$140. Any suggestions as to where I could do better? - Hank

[I-RV]

Here is the Gen III manual.........

[5456Mich]

Hank can the covers be bought separately ? Seem a lot of the cost would be buying the paint and supplies for doing such a small job. If multiple people wanted to do the upgrade and you had several to paint probably could be done with the same quanity of paint as for one. Lowering the cost. Now you just have to get people with the same color exterior together.

[Campin Cajun]

My cover has 3 different colors on it. So spending as much as $140 to paint that one is cheap considering the hours it will take to paint that one.

[I-RV]

The cover comes with the water heater, My current cover has two colors and everyone has different colors or a different pain scheme.

[5456Mich]

So looking at this thing seems like a little more common sense could have been used in the door design . Not sure why they couldn't of reversed the side that the hinges are on. If it vibrates open doing 60mph or so the wind will catch it and then hopefully not but maybe the car following will get it in the windshield , or be so tweaked you'll have to replace it again anyways . With the hinges reversed if for some reason the catch vibrates open the wind will just keep it closed, no harm.

[tmmar]

Joe,
What if it is installed in a coach where it is on the drivers side instead of the passenger side? I guess they had to pick a door configuration and settled on doing that way. Just saying.

[5456Mich]

Originally Posted by tmmar

Joe,
What if it is installed in a coach where it is on the drivers side instead of the passenger side? I guess they had to pick a door configuration and settled on doing that way. Just saying.

Good point Tom. Maybe they should have made a right and left hand option for that purpose. After traveling back from Buffalo over some jarring bumps on the thruway it's only a matter of time before I can see that catch opening. It would be ugly !

[Campin Cajun]

Originally Posted by I-RV

The cover comes with the water heater, My current cover has two colors and everyone has different colors or a different pain scheme.

Yes I understand that, my point was $140 is a good price to get it painted.

[Phil57]

140 seems cheap to me to have it painted. I would jump on that. I would guess that paint would be that much or more.

[I-RV]

Originally Posted by Phil57

140 seems cheap to me to have it painted. I would jump on that. I would guess that paint would be that much or more.

Paint is included. It is just a shame that I have to pay 35% more then the heater itself just for paint. I guess it comes with the territory!

[Berkshire Driver]

What about a wrap? something that small can't be that expensive to make just take your existing cover to them and have a wrap made for the new cover, there are some real good photo wraps and this could be a option just a thought.

[I-RV]

Originally Posted by Berkshire Driver

What about a wrap? something that small can't be that expensive to make just take your existing cover to them and have a wrap made for the new cover, there are some real good photo wraps and this could be a option just a thought.

Can you explain what a wrap is? - Hank

[tmmar]

It is 'photograph' printed on a vinyl sheet that is then applied to what ever surface you want to put it on. If you see some of the large trailers with the sides done up usually for some singer or group that is on tour, it is usually a wrap.

[I-RV]

Thank's Tom - that's a wrap!

[5456Mich]

Originally Posted by I-RV

Thank's Tom - that's a wrap!

All the Nascar cars are all done up each week with wraps.

[TwiceTheIce]

The Gen 3 is an absolute joy and $400 sounds like a great price. I especially enjoy the digital control--works just like home. Mine came with a black door, and it looked fine on our silver/charcoal/black Berkshire. I too am somewhat concerned about the door opening. I'm considering a safety chain on the inside.

[5456Mich]

Originally Posted by TwiceTheIce

The Gen 3 is an absolute joy and $400 sounds like a great price. I especially enjoy the digital control--works just like home. Mine came with a black door, and it looked fine on our silver/charcoal/black Berkshire. I too am somewhat concerned about the door opening. I'm considering a safety chain on the inside.

Could you post a picture of how it looks on your coach ? What do you actually think of the latch ? Something that could be jarred to open ? Did you do the install or did you have it installed by others ? Thanks in advance for what you can provide.

[captnrick3]

$400 is a good deal. Is that directly from Girard? If so I may give them a visit once we are home. Factory is only 45 miles from me.

[I-RV]

Originally Posted by captnrick3

$400 is a good deal. Is that directly from Girard? If so I may give them a visit once we are home. Factory is only 45 miles from me.

Yes, that is direct from Girard. Not sure where the factory is, but I received my quoted from an account manager in San Clemente, CA. - Hank