Water Heater Rain Cover Ideas?

[Quayzar]

I recently ran into an E5 Error code on my Suburban ST60 Tankless Water Heater. After further investigation, I found some water laying in the bottom of the fan assembly after raining all night. I pulled the vacuum hose off of the switch and blew air through it to clear out any water in the hose. Now, to my question... has anyone else experienced this, and if so... what was a resolution to keeping rain out while allowing the exhaust to blow unrestricted? Thanks for any ideas.

 

[hoefler]

Unfortunately, I have. 2024 Destination trailer we bought for my mother inlaw to live in. After blowing it out several times and a little research, it is more common than you would think. I installed a length of stainless exhaust tubing on the exhaust port. We have been throught several wind storms and driving rains, still working as it should. I used a 18" long piece I had in the shop, and it slid right on it. I imagine a 6" section would work. Bottom line the exhaust is too short and lets blowing debris in the port when not running.

 

[taskswap]

Depending on how much "blowin' sideways" you're experiencing, a quick hack might be to make a bit of a 1" "cup" out of some finer-mesh hardware cloth (window-screen size) and rivet or wire this onto the outside of the vent, probably tying into the coarser mesh they put on there to keep animals/large debris out. It would work like a grease/splatter catcher when you're cooking, giving the droplets something to strike and drip off of instead of blowing inside. It shouldn't affect the exhaust if you don't go too fine. Nearly every generator has a fine mesh over the exhaust to catch sparks. (Those are notorious for clogging but those generators run much dirtier and richer than your HWH...)

You can even buy these premade:

https://www.amazon.com/Furnace-Screens-Stainless-Installation-Silicone/dp/B09G6718HB

Or depending on the size of your exhaust outlet, perhaps something like this might be a start?

https://www.amazon.com/VUYBVY-Exhaust-Louvered-Stainless-Exterior/dp/B09XK2BDBF

 

[Quayzar]

Thanks for the replies. I have the screens already on the exhaust. the hose or turn down spout are good ideas. Thank you!