running electric and propane hot water same time?

[imnoo2rving]

Hi,


newbie here. can I run both electric and propane at same time to help recovery?

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[PSUFan1]

I do. Electric all the time and propane only when we are taking showers then I turn it off.

[davel1971]

^^^^what he said^^^^

[OldCoot]

Run both all the time when we go camping.

[davel1971]

I have found the electric supplies more than enough hot water for doing dishes. Flip the propane on for the higher demand of showers.

[Ford Idaho]

"doing dish's"?

With the exception of two coffee cups one shot glass we do dish's in a plastic bag to the dumpster when we walk the dog.

Camping is for fun not house work.

[rracer5]

X5, or 6 or 7, anywho, I lost count. But, yes you can. Just don't flip on the electric to the heater if you don't have water in the tank. That'll burn out your element in seconds.

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

"doing dish's"?

With the exception of two coffee cups one shot glass we do dish's in a plastic bag to the dumpster when we walk the dog.

Camping is for fun not house work.

dishes are minimal. Couple pots and grilling utensils, coffee cup in morning. Sometimes we have multiple families gather for dinner, so extra dishes just for food prep and serving. Almost always disposable plates and silverware. Beverages come in cans in a box of 30, conveniently fit in outside fridge for quick access

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by imnoo2rving

Hi,


newbie here. can I run both electric and propane at same time to help recovery?

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You can absolutely run both at the same time, and the system is designed for it.

HOWEVER: if you have a 30 amp RV, you will have to practice energy management even more so, when the electric heating element is on.

A Suburban water heater electric element uses around 1400 watts when it is energized.

To put it in simple terms, this is usually around 12 amps.....so you only have 18 amps available to run other things (30-12=18) if the electric heating element is energized at the same time.

An air-conditioner can average 14 amps or better itself. Microwaves use a lot too. Hair dryers, coffee pots, etc use a lot of electric too.

So in short, if you do have your electric heating element on, you may need to turn it off, when trying to use other appliances to keep from tripping the breakers...............if you have a 30 amp trailer. You just have to practice energy management.

Those who have 50 amp RV's, don't usually have to worry about these things, as their systems are in actuality 50 amps X 2, or 100 total amps. They can run most of all their stuff at the same time, including disco balls, indoor bowling alleys, etc. LOL

Being a newbie, here is some further reading, that may help:

http://rvservices.koa.com/rvinformat...lectricity.asp

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...aws-17300.html

[SKnight]

Again, yes. The electric will save you quite a bit on propane if you like keeping hot water around full time. In the past I kept it turned off and had to wait for hot water, now I just turn the propane side on along with the electric. The propane gets it there, the electric maintains it nicely.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by davel1971

dishes are minimal. Couple pots and grilling utensils, coffee cup in morning. Sometimes we have multiple families gather for dinner, so extra dishes just for food prep and serving. Almost always disposable plates and silverware. Beverages come in cans in a box of 30, conveniently fit in outside fridge for quick access

AAAhhh!

Very good, had me worried there for a bit......

[imnoo2rving]

thanks all. this was our shake down trip and first ever in any kind of camper. we just bought our TT in December. No issues really except for the screen for the kitchen faucet was clogged. All the questions on the shower come from taking just a five minute shower with barely enough hot water. is this normal or should multiple people be able to take back to back showers? I know the hot water heater tank is small. thanks all for the help. always appreciated

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[wmtire]

Originally Posted by imnoo2rving

thanks all. this was our shake down trip and first ever in any kind of camper. we just bought our TT in December. No issues really except for the screen for the kitchen faucet was clogged. All the questions on the shower come from taking just a five minute shower with barely enough hot water. is this normal or should multiple people be able to take back to back showers? I know the hot water heater tank is small. thanks all for the help. always appreciated

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With a normal six gallon water heater, you learn to take what is referred to as a "navy shower". You turn the water taps on and get the temp correct to your liking.

1. Then just wet yourself down. Turn the water off at the handheld shower wand/head. It should have a shut-off button on the handheld wand.

2. Now put the soap on, shampoo, etc. Lather up.

3. Turn the water back on at the wand and rinse off.

4. Turn the taps off (but leave the wand button on so you'll know the shower is actually turned off) and exit.

This saves on two things. First off on the amount of hot water being used, and the amount of total water that is going into your grey tanks...that also have a finite amount of space..... if you are not hooked up to a campsite with a sewer connection so you can dump the water out.

I pointed out the part about making sure to turn the taps off in step 4, and not just the showerhead at the end for a reason. If you fail to turn the taps off, water will continue to dribble out of the handheld head, and can fill your grey water tanks up still while your gone. I had a friend do this and it actually flooded his trailer when the tank filled up and it backflowed back thru his shower drain.

If you fill up the grey tanks, you have to dump them out......which can require either hooking the trailer up and hauling it to a dump station at the campground.....or using a portable tote to do the same thing. Both of which can be a pain and are time consuming.

A lot of people use the campgrounds bathhouses (if equipped), so they don't have to do this.

Same thing, if using the sinks. Don't just let the water run, as it is filling up the grey tanks unnecessarily.

Water usage in your RV is different than your home, and it is just another one of the learning curves you'll get thru.

[imnoo2rving]

thanks wmtire. great advice.

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[PhoneDude 8289]

Same as DisDad01