water heater

[kidagn11]

2014 Solera R
Would someone please give me an idea as to how long it takes to generate hot water via the hot water heater using propane with outside temp at 40 degrees (inside temp was 67)?
I understand it would be less using electric. Is that true?
Tried heating water for first time the other morning. Had it heating for about 45 minutes and got luke warm for about 2 minutes before turning cold.
Thanks in advance.

[Crabbyguy]

I'm usually have hot water within a half hour after heating with propane or electric. Using both about 20 minutes.... BUT that was during the summer.

[Oakman]

It sounds like your water heater is still in bypass for winterizing.

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[fonzie]

Originally Posted by Oakman

It sounds like your water heater is still in bypass for winterizing.

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X2, make sure it is in summer position as shown in picture...

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Oakman

It sounds like your water heater is still in bypass for winterizing.

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X2, you need to check your bypass valves to see if they are still set for winter (very common).....................and another thing to check is to see if your indoor or outdoor shower faucets are both turned on at the tap, but shut off with the valve on the shower wand. This also allows cold water to mix in with the hot, and some people forget they turned on the shower taps when draining the water out for the winter.

[Ford Idaho]

Outside shower?

Are the faucets open but the shower head closed?

[RvBill3]

As others have said, definitely check your bypass valves on the water heater. Likely the in and out valves are open, or you would get no hot water. However, the bypass valve between the in and out is likely open also. That needs to be closed. Hot water coming out of the heater is mixing with water "bypassing" the heater--thus hot for a moment, then lukewarm at best.

To answer your other questions, propane heats faster than electric. Propane about 20 minutes. Electric maybe 30. You can use both to get the water up to temp faster. The main reason for using electric is that it is "free" with the campsite. Propane you pay for.

[danno2u]

Originally Posted by RvBill3

To answer your other questions, propane heats faster than electric. Propane about 20 minutes. Electric maybe 30. You can use both to get the water up to temp faster. The main reason for using electric is that it is "free" with the campsite. Propane you pay for.

Just be DARN sure there is water in the tank before using the electric heater. The element will burn out in only seconds if the tank is dry. Second consideration is 30 amp vs 50 amp service. The electric heater will pull around 11 amps by itself. And you won't be in control of when it comes on. So in a 30 amp site, you could easily trip the breaker by running the AC or a microwave or a space heater, etc; while the electric water heater is turned on.

Thus I never use the electric water heater -- just propane. Ours will be hot enough for a shower in 15 minutes or so... pretty fast!

[RvBill3]

x2 on making sure you have water in the tank. Even on propane, the electric element will fry if there is no water in the tank, just might take more than the five seconds if you turn electric on without water.

Don't see the concern with using amps. We have 30 amp service and can use everything at once. My readout on the energy management system does get real close to 30 when everything is going, but have never popped a breaker.

[Mikegjax]

I run everything plugged into 30 amps. AC, frig, coffee pot, water heater both tv's (DC), and have not popped a breaker to date.

[KyDan]

We also have a 30 amp trailer.
In 6 years of camping we have never popped either the 30 amp main
in my trailer or the 30 amp on the power post.
We leave the WH on electric. We have a micro wave and a toaster
and a coffee pot and roof AC. We use a space heater in cold weather.
Sure if I turned them all on at once I could pop a breaker.
Typically the AC is not running during breakfast.
Don't be too worried about tripping the main unless you know you've
done it before. We never have.

If all WH valves are in winter mode the tank is probably empty and
the electric element is probably fried. I hope not!

Happy Camping!

[kidagn11]

Thanks to everyone that responded. My water heater doesn't look like the one in the picture Fonzie sent but it showed me where the problem was. The dealer winterized the Solera R for me while it was there for some warranty work. When I dewinterized it I didn't pay attention to the third valve coming out of the water heater due to its location (very hard to see). I just needed to turn the valve open. Duh! Learning something everyday.

[Lcblick]

Any way someone could post a pic of what position the valves need to be in for summer usage?

[RvBill3]

Can't really get a picture of mine (Sunseeker) but here is a description: There is a pipe going into the water heater and another going out (top and bottom of the rear of WH). For "summer" thoses valve need to be turned parallel to the pipe (open). There is a pipe that connects the in and out of the WH (the "bypass"). The valve in the middle of that pipe needs to be closed--perpendicular to the pipe.

[Mikegjax]

Pulled this from another thread. Should be what you are looking for.

[Lcblick]

Thanks so much everyone. I will try this.