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It all depends on the recovery rate of the water heaters as well as the volume of water used for each shower. If you use a lower volume shower head you get more showers out of the water heaters. If they are the same wattage and you get 2 1/2 showers out of the 50 gallon heater then you will get 4 out of the 80 gallong heater. If your full flow shower head is replaced by a new low volume shower head you might double your shower capacity as you cut the water volume in half. If shorter showers are taken the number will increase as well. Shower habits, shower head volume, wattage of heating elements all contribute to the number of showers available. When the 80 gallon runs out of hot water it will take longer to heat it back to temperature. There is more water to heat. If you keep the water hotter in the heater you will get more showers as you will use more cold and less hot in the mixing process in the shower valve.<br />I hope this helps give you a better understanding of your situation and the answer to your question. There is no exact answer with all the variables. Feel free to come back for further discussion if you like.

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Edited by electrifier on 8/26/2009 at 5:19 PM

Expert:	electrifier
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Answered:	8/26/2009

Electrical and Mechanical Inspector

19 years as an Electrical Contractor and Electrical and Mechanical Inspector.