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rrbrinkley · 05-25-2010, 09:30 AM

Is it because they pull to much amperage ? More than the have at most c/grounds ? What do most c/grounds supply ? I wanted to put a small electric w/heater in the closet and do w/o the propane all together, everything else is electric soooo - - ?
Thanks !!

dufferin · 05-25-2010, 09:48 AM

two ways water heater exists. So you can install one. But you have to check if you won't overload circuits if use with AC, or MW...
Some forum members will tell you more about the electrical issue.
suburban has some : Suburban > Products > Water Heaters > Specifications

Boondocker · 05-25-2010, 09:56 AM

You can get a dual powered water heater. They use propane, or electric (or both) depending on your needs. If you go the route of using electric you will want to look into how much amperage you camper is set up for. The water heater on electric pulls a good deal of juice. In my set up I can not use the water heater in tandem with the AC or presumably with electric heat. This can be dealt with by putting in a larger breaker box though.
I would try and stay with a RV type heater since it wont require extensive reworking of the camper.

AIR-Quarius · 05-25-2010, 09:58 AM

Back when we had a SOB Trvel Trailer, we did not trust the propane hot water tank system so we had electricians come in and install a twenty gallon electric one and they fixed it to be right in the living area and we sat a tv on top of it. It used a lot of electricity and you had to juggle appliances in order to get the hot water...this also includes and incredible electric bill to go with it.

rrbrinkley · 05-25-2010, 10:17 AM

Thanks !! My 78 Excella is basically stock, and WELL used. The couple I got it form went to every state, and almost every providence in Canada. as well as their last trip - Alaska at the ages of 84. Soooo - It's in a state of partial gutting. Space is not an issue since I removed some of the cabinets, etc. We will only use it (mostly) at campgrounds here in Fla.
Does anyone know what kind of amperage this camper is set up for ? Is that in my manual ? Can I just put in another breaker/line for the w/h ?

**Kevin245** · 05-25-2010, 10:26 AM

30 amp service is a campground standard for a trailer of your size, but you can also get 50 amp sites. If you were to add a 2nd air conditioner as part of your re-do then you might consider the higher service application.

Best of luck,

Kevin

snake · 05-25-2010, 12:40 PM

One solution is to install a "RV Water Heater Lightning Rod" in your existing unit, it only draws 4 amps, but at only 425 watts it may take a while to heat up the tank.

6 Gallon RV Water Heater Lightning Rod

garry · 05-25-2010, 12:44 PM

You Airstream is limited to 30 amps to redo for 50 amp service is expensive but can be done

Reason for propane is some folks don't camp in full hook up camp grounds.

You can buy duel electric / propane water heaters but will be limited in what other appliances can be used at the same time when heating with electric.

With a 6 gallon hot water tank propane with recover much quicker than electric.

guy99 · 05-25-2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbrinkley

... do w/o the propane all together, everything else is electric soooo - - ?
Thanks !!

What will you use for cooking?

Blanchard · 05-25-2010, 01:21 PM

We put in a 6 gallon, electric only hot water heater in our '64 Tradewind. We have it parked for the summer at campsite with electrical included in our annual fee so there was no reason to get a (much more expense) system designed specifically for an RV. We are also using a regular, electric only fridge and have propane only to the stove. This is contrary to the standard advice on airstreams, but we don't really have plans to use the trailer without electricity.

We've had no issues with it drawing too much power, but we are also in a climate where A/C is not required so nothing else is much of a power draw.

rrbrinkley · 05-25-2010, 01:36 PM

Microwave, BIG toaster oven (pizza size ) and a 2 burner hot plate. We don't do alot of HEAVY cooking when we camp. We grill too. She usually has 3 or so meals (one pot stuff) chilli, chicken pot pie, etc already made and frozen so we just put one in the sink on the way out in the a.m. and heat-n-eat. We camp to SWIM !! in the springs of fla. So we swim all day and eat at night ! Maybe some bisquits for b-fast, but that's about all.

rrbrinkley · 05-25-2010, 01:37 PM

We stay 4 days max and flat rate for campsite per day so electrcity usage doesn't factor in.

guy99 · 05-25-2010, 03:42 PM

I doubt you could use your microwave, or your toaster oven, or maybe even hotplate while the AC is on, at least not with 30 amp service. Our rig (84 MH) has a switch which lets you choose either Microwave OR AC.

Cantrell · 05-25-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snake

One solution is to install a "RV Water Heater Lightning Rod" in your existing unit, it only draws 4 amps, but at only 425 watts it may take a while to heat up the tank.

6 Gallon RV Water Heater Lightning Rod

Our unit came with a Lightning Rod in the water heater. It heats up fairly fast--but we don't use that much hot water when camping usually. We often don't even turn on the propane in hot weather--we mostly do easy meals using the microwave and toaster oven usually.
The LR is not wired into the trailer, in our case. It has a separate cord I just plug into the campground power pole--in addition to the 30amp cord. Works fine that way, no problems.
If your water heater is in good shape otherwise, it may pay to just retrofit it with one of these Lightning rods.

Alwhisman · 05-25-2010, 07:15 PM

I added the electric conversion and still use 30a sites with no problem. Haven't had an occasion where I ran out of hot water either.......

Boondocker · 05-25-2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alwhisman

I added the electric conversion and still use 30a sites with no problem. Haven't had an occasion where I ran out of hot water either.......

The issue is if you start using additional heavy power using appliances or several smaller users. For example if the water heater and AC are pulling power at the same time you are likely to flip a breaker.

63Silver · 05-25-2010, 09:24 PM

I have an electric only hot water heater that looks just like the one in my house but much smaller. We have never had an issue with not having enough electricity and popping breakers. We use the air, microwave, etc but I did run a dedicated line to the hot water heater.

63silver

Pahaska · 05-25-2010, 09:35 PM

So long as the campground 30a voltage is good, I always run my 13.5 AC/Heat Pump and the electric water heater at the same time with no problem. I just check my plug-in voltmeter. If the voltage is well up in the green with the AC on, I turn the electric water heater on. I almost never need to use the propane side of my water heater. You can not do this with a 15.0 AC/Heat Pump, it pulls too much current.

I have an auto transformer that I chain to the power post if the campground voltage is marginal. In that case, I usually run only the AC/Heat Pump so as not to rob too much power from other sites. I usually find just a few times in the summer season when I am in a campground where the power is that marginal.

Aage · 05-25-2010, 09:38 PM

Can you describe the autotransformer? I'm assuming you use it to bump the voltage up? So then, I'm guessing it has a means of varying the voltage it puts out...

Pahaska · 05-25-2010, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aage

Can you describe the autotransformer? I'm assuming you use it to bump the voltage up? So then, I'm guessing it has a means of varying the voltage it puts out...

The autotransformer plugs in between the power pedestal and the cord to the trailer. It senses for low voltage and boosts the voltage only if it is low. The boost in voltage comes at the expense of pulling more current, so I have to be careful and not use more than the AC/Heat Pump when it is plugged in in order not to blow the breaker on the power pedestal. The increased voltage makes the AC work a lot better and protects the AC compressor.

These autotransformers are expensive, about $300, but I found mine at a flea market for $100.