Electric and LP water heaters

[WFD]

It has been mentioned in other threads that if you are hooked up to electrical site, one may choose to fire up the water heater using LP in order to get hot water quicker, then switch over to electric to maintain the hot water and use park electricity rather than propane...my question is, is the electrical element also thermostatically controlled to maintain the same temperature as using LP?

Rick

[SKnight]

Mine is, well it feels like it. I don't switch over, during setup I turn the electric on (Since for some frikkin reason the electric switch is outside.) then once inside I fire up the LPG side. The combo gets it hot faster then the electric maintains it nicely. I actually don't recall my LPG side firing after warmup even with me taking a generous shower.

But, it feels the same to me.

[iceblaze580]

X2 mine seems about the same

[OldCoot]

When I had a brain fart and burned the elec element out, I changed both thermostats (12v & 110v) from 130d to 140d to be able to use less hot water.

[davel1971]

we make out fine just using the electric on ours. Even with back to back showers, plenty of hot water

[mlangdn]

I fire up the LP after setup to get the water hot faster, then I turn it off. If the kids and grandkids are with us, I'll fire up the LP at shower time. Makes back-to-back easier.

[iceblaze580]

At least once per trip I will fire my water heater on LP just to make sure it working

[KyDan]

I can turn on both electric and LP and the LP won't normally fire up unless
I use enough hot water to cool the tank. (we rarely have both on
at the same time- but you can do that if you want to.....)

We typically don't need the LP on when on shore power. Don't wanna use
the LP cuz it's a PIA to get tanks filled and it's expen$ive.

[Herk7769]

To answer the OP's question directly (OC implied it), yes.

The OEM thermostats are set to the same temperature.

If you change them you must get the same setting as the other one if you plan on using both to heat water for faster recovery.

Although, if you do want to use both at the same time, and want to use different temp settings, the AC one can be bought at a higher temperature than the propane so the propane will only come on to recover during long showers and park power will "top it off."
Herk

[OldCoot]

We fill the water heater at the start of the season, turn both sides on and leave them on. It doesn't use that much propane and the recovery is pretty fast.

[WFD]

Thanks Herk....thats the answer I was looking for!

[dutch]

Hi everyone,


Is there a thread out there on how to bring the outside electric switch on the hotwater tank and wired it inside? Thanks in adavnce.

[SKnight]

I get time this summer there will be one, I'm finding that switch hidden outside to be really irritating.

[WFD]

The reason they put it on the outside is to prevent someone from accidentally switching on the electric element when your water tank is empty, thereby burning the element....they design it so you have to deliberately have to go outside to turn it on.

Rick

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by WFD

The reason they put it on the outside is to prevent someone from accidentally switching on the electric element when your water tank is empty, thereby burning the element....they design it so you have to deliberately have to go outside to turn it on.

Rick

Mine is on inside and I like it there. Easier to remember to turn off when it's with rest of switches

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[KyDan]

I just switch off the breaker that's labeled WH.
Some units may have other things on that circuit but mine is all alone
so I can use the breaker as an indoor switch.

[kenandterry]

To answer your question.....yes. They both have their own thermostat to do the job. They are both located underneath the oval black rubber boot located in the upper part of the left side of your water heater. The reset button is outlined for both units if needed.

I guess it's just a matter of how fast you need hot water when you arrive at your destination. We usually just use electric and save the propane for times when we might need it instead of electric for whatever the reason.

[Kaadk]

Dang, this thread just reminded me, I forgot to shut off the HW's electric switch after this last outing. Thankfully I don't drain the tank between trips nor hook up to shore power until I'm back at a site, so my element should be fine.... still, I'm off to the storage yard.

[SKnight]

Originally Posted by KyDan

I just switch off the breaker that's labeled WH.
Some units may have other things on that circuit but mine is all alone
so I can use the breaker as an indoor switch.

Son of a.........

See, this is why we need smart people in this world!

[TURBS]

It's only my opinion but I wouldn't use the breaker to switch your wh on and off as its not designed to do that.
Its a breaker not a switch.
If you want a switch for your wh add one next to your breaker panel and break the power with that.
Can be done fairly fast and easy.
Jmtc

TURBS

Sabre owners united!