|
|
07-12-2017, 05:53 PM
|
#1
|
3 Rivet Member
2014 23' Flying Cloud
2015 28' Flying Cloud
Kalamazoo
, Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 102
|
Hotwater do's and don'ts?
So we've established the hot water heater can run on electric or gas or both. Do most of you use gas for faster heat, then rely on electric throughout the day - when hooked to shore power? I hate having the gas constantly cycle and waste propane when I don't need hot water.
|
|
|
07-12-2017, 06:35 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
|
Put it in the electric mode whenever power is available.
That way you are not aware of the energy wasted because you don't hear the burner running.
|
|
|
07-12-2017, 06:50 PM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
1974 31' Sovereign
1979 23' Safari
Wayland
, New York
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,632
|
I usually just leave the electric and propane switched on all the time. If I'm not plugged in and boondocking the electric just doesn't run. When I plug in later it will and I don't have to think about it. If I'm plugged in at a campground where electric is included I run electric and save some gas. If I'm paying for electric I'll use both to cut down on the electric bill, although electric is probably more efficient. If I want quicker recovery I run both. Leaving it on electric just to keep the tank warm is a good option. Hooked up on electric with the water heater on gas and electric it has taken me 2 months to burn a 40 lb bottle of propane. 2 a day showers and normal hw use.
|
|
|
07-12-2017, 06:52 PM
|
#4
|
Site Team
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,726
|
On the "older" units, like ours, we only have one choice for hot water and that is propane, of course.
We usually turn on the water heater after we get up in the morning. Let it cycle once and then turn it off until the next day. Every now and then we will turn it on in the evening but usually just once a day. That's all the hot water we need.
|
|
|
07-12-2017, 06:56 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
2005 31' Classic
Garner,
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,031
|
Most time we turn off the hot water heater during the day and only use when needed. If you can get to the exterior of the heater adding insulation around the tanks can help keep water hot longer
__________________
Carl, Raleigh NC
2-24-16 got a 2005 Classic 31D 460 watts solar, lithium 230 AH, 16" LT's, pulled by:
2003 F-250 SD, CC, 7.3L PowerStroke
WBCCI#1691, Piedmont Airstream Club, Unit #161, Region #3
|
|
|
07-12-2017, 06:58 PM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hans627
On the "older" units, like ours, we only have one choice for hot water and that is propane, of course.
We usually turn on the water heater after we get up in the morning. Let it cycle once and then turn it off until the next day. Every now and then we will turn it on in the evening but usually just once a day. That's all the hot water we need.
|
Same here. Most newer AS water heaters are fairly quick recovery, especially if you can use both electric and propane, so in summer it is a waste pretty much to leave the thing on IMO.
|
|
|
07-12-2017, 07:17 PM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
1995 25' Excella
xxxxx
, xxxxxx
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,351
|
Propane only here. I turn mine on as needed. I can turn it on and have water hot enough for a shower in less than 10 minutes. I turned mine off at 10 pm the other night and noticed at 4 pm in the next day it was still warm enough for a shower.
|
|
|
07-13-2017, 11:08 AM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
2008 27' International FB
Venice
, Florida
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 706
|
www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/hott-rod-water-heater-conversion.../47672
USE THIS LINK
For those of you that have propane only, please be aware of the HOTT-ROD conversion kit available at Camping World and other outlets. I have used this conversion kit for 5 years, its wonderful and saved me a lot of $$$. I have recommended it to many and all are thrilled with its performance.
__________________
Bill and Janice, We're lovin' it! (Airstreaming)
Airdreamers
WBCCI #8880
AIR #41310
|
|
|
07-13-2017, 11:11 AM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,656
|
Mine was never run of propane. I only used it when I needed hot water, so I'd turn it on in the morning (electric) take a shower and clean up the dishes, then turn if off.
Perhaps I was a bit paranoid about a fire also.
I guess I was spoiled with power all the time.
|
|
|
07-13-2017, 11:36 AM
|
#10
|
3 Rivet Member
2002 25' Classic
Kalama
, Washington
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 189
|
Hey airdreamers -- Camping World couldn't display the page you linked. Tell us about the product you like. Thanks.
|
|
|
07-13-2017, 01:39 PM
|
#11
|
Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
|
|
|
|
07-13-2017, 01:59 PM
|
#12
|
Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,744
|
Hi
When do you need hot water? Ok now go back to the list, do you *really* need it then? For many, the list gets pretty short pretty fast. On the days you don't need hot water, leave it off all day. On the days you do need it, turn it on ahead of time. If you are on "free" shore power, just leave it on.
Bob
|
|
|
07-13-2017, 05:11 PM
|
#13
|
3 Rivet Member
2012 30' International
Ferndale
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 101
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by uncle_bob
Hi
When do you need hot water? Ok now go back to the list, do you *really* need it then? For many, the list gets pretty short pretty fast. On the days you don't need hot water, leave it off all day. On the days you do need it, turn it on ahead of time. If you are on "free" shore power, just leave it on.
Bob
|
My shower, my wife's shower every morning plus shaving every morning, then we usually wash dishes after dinner and wife washes her face before bed. For what little it costs to heat water I have it on all the time, either electric if we have it or propane. Not worth the hassle of turning it off and on to save a few cents!
|
|
|
07-13-2017, 05:49 PM
|
#14
|
Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
|
My hot water heater is gas only. I normal do not turn it on until 30 before shower use and then turn it off when finished. I do not use hot water for dish washing or to wash my face.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
|
|
|
07-13-2017, 06:29 PM
|
#15
|
Rivet Master
1988 32' Excella
Robbinsville
, New Jersey
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3,166
|
Factory electric water heater uses 11.6amps and AC uses about 14.6amps. That's 26 out of 30amps, add 3amps for the fridge and converter(if the batteries are fully charged) and you're out of power unless you have 50amp.
That Hotshot electric conversion is only 400watts instead of 1400watts for the factory version. Makes it better for older trailers.
|
|
|
07-13-2017, 06:29 PM
|
#16
|
Rivet Master
2015 25' Flying Cloud
2016 30' Flying Cloud
Blenheim Ontario
, Ontario
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,263
|
I don't have it on, unless I anticipate using it.
If I get up to use 'the can' an hour or so early, I turn on the electric switch.
If not, when I get up, I turn on both, for showers, dishes etc.
I turn it off in the day when leaving, or not required 'till dinner, usually electric.
Then off for the night, as there is usually enough hot/warm for bedtime cleaning.
|
|
|
07-13-2017, 07:42 PM
|
#17
|
Wheels Itch)(Must Travel
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
- east coastal area -
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 683
|
Part of the decision should also be based on whether leaving the heater on all the time shortens the life of the heater components. I tend to turn it off unless its needed.
|
|
|
07-13-2017, 08:35 PM
|
#18
|
Rivet Master
1998 36' Land Yacht Widebody
Shepherdstown
, West Virginia
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 802
|
Mine has a circulation system that continuously makes hot water while driving. Once stopped, for longer than a day, I use propane as needed. It gets hot fast and while full-timing, it can go over 3 months on 1 tank of propane.
Gotta get it filled up soon for the trip to Escanaba for the Rally. My propane generator uses much more than the water heater and I will be boondocking for at least a week.
Mike
|
|
|
07-14-2017, 09:26 AM
|
#19
|
2 Rivet Member
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Campbell
, California
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 35
|
The posted link goes to a 404 page not found, but if you type hot rod conversion kit into Camping World's search box, the item comes up.
|
|
|
07-14-2017, 11:58 AM
|
#20
|
Rivet Master
2012 25' FB International
Trent Woods
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,120
|
Keying off an earlier post, I just spent days partially removing my water heater and gaining access to the back to replace the element and relay so that AC would work again. A bad crimp by the factory resulted in a connection that overheated. Over time, it just failed and melted some stuff. Long story to say, I concur with the idea of only leaving it on for a brief period while you need to heat water, then turn it off.
Larry
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|