Plumbing HWS questions. anyone able to help?

[warramungas]

Hi guys. My 15 yo Bosch 10p has packed it in. Had a quote for an upgrade of a Rheem 16 pronto which was crazy compared to a pronto 12. Over $1000 difference.
Running what I believe are 3/8 water pipes and what looks like 1" gas pipe from the mains which is 2m from the HWS.
Pronto 16 was only $100 more and the rest was for upgrade of gas pipe and water lines (and $150 for a gas isolation valve next to the water heater (mains is right next to it?).
Does a 16 liter versus a 12 liter need such a massive change to get it working? Happy to pay a few bucks extra for the unit but do I need all the extra stuff or does he just want to talk me out of the 16? Maybe he doesn't have one and is trying to get rid of his pronto 12's?
Cheers guys.
Warra.

[Peregian]

Looking at the manual the 12 & 16 connections are identical,
http://www.rheem.com.au//Assets/7769/1/ ... ctober.pdf
The gas isolation valve would be a definite requirement.

The 3/8 pipes for the water would be too small and it is odd as I would have thought thay would be 1/2 inch.

Try for another quote, I have found gas fitters to be expensive in my past dealings.

[Joycy]

Is it possible the gas is galvanised? That may contribute to the price. If the pipes are 3/8, they probably wouldn't give enough flow to run a new continuous flow unit and would need to be a minimum of 1/2". I would reccomend a few quotes and compare what you are being charged for.

[warramungas]

Looking at the manual the 12 & 16 connections are identical,
http://www.rheem.com.au//Assets/7769/1/ ... ctober.pdf
The gas isolation valve would be a definite requirement.

The 3/8 pipes for the water would be too small and it is odd as I would have thought thay would be 1/2 inch.

Try for another quote, I have found gas fitters to be expensive in my past dealings.

Could be 1/2. I only eyeballed them in pics the missus sent me. I thought the units (12 & 16) looked pretty much the same to me. Like a car with a slightly more powerful engine under the hood probably.
One of the items was a hi flow gas pipe. How fast does the gas need to be????
Anyway. Missus is wanting hot water so I've gone with the 12 which should be adequate for now. We'll upgrade to solar in the future before this one packs it in.
Thanks guys.

Edit. And the pipes are definitely all copper.

[Joycy]

High flow would require a larger gas pipe so needing to upgrade to gas line from the meter to the unit, plus your new gas valve on the unit, plus the extra price for the larger unit could quickly add up before you know it.

[warramungas]

Asked the young fella that plumbed it in for me. He said the 16 used all the same fittings.

Anyway. Not a complete loss. Got a sh** hot copper heat exchanger out of the Bosch. Couple of fans jammed in it and it'll work great for cooling water.

[warramungas]

WP_20180824_07_00_51_Pro.jpg

:handgestures-thumbupleft:
All copper able to heat 20 degree C to 'ow that's bloody hot!' Should be able to do it in reverse with enough airflow.

[warramungas]

Inside is a deep copper box.

WP_20180824_07_11_24_Pro.jpg

Had to make new post as old didn't edit.