Hot Water Temp Question

[itat]

Yesterday I tried the electric heater element in our Suburban 6 gallon WH for the first time. I’ve always just used the propane burner because I’m paranoid that I’ll forget to turn of the switch. Well, after reading a lot of threads recently I decided to try the electric element. I found that using both the propane and electric at the same time I got much hotter water than with just propane. The water was too hot! I thought it should be the same temp because the WH’s thermostat should limit the heating source once it reaches the preset temp. I didn’t bother trying electric only.

Is this normal or does the electric side have separate thermostat that may be broken and not shutting off the element. Nothing came out of the pressure relief valve while both were on.

[wmtire]

I just explained the thermostats the other day here in this thread. it may help:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1633200

[itat]

Originally Posted by wmtire

I just explained the thermostats the other day here in this thread. it may help:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1633200

Thanks, wmtire. In my case, is it possible that the main thermostat on the electric side is not working but the water temp did not reach the ECO/hi-limit threshold? If the lower temp thermostat is not working, can that be swapped out easily?

I’ll try pressing the reset button for the AC side in the morning in case it did open.

[Bama Rambler]

It's likely that the thermostat on the electric side is set higher than the propane side unit. Those units don't have a very close manufacturing tolerance, so they can be several degrees apart in setpoint.

Since the hi-limit didn't trip, I'd bet it's just set higher.
Do you have a good thermometer that you could actually check the temperature with?

[Chief T]

Originally Posted by itat

I’m paranoid that I’ll forget to turn of the switch.

To help alleviate that same issue, I got myself a small white board, thin black tape, label maker and magnets and made a reminder board. When I turn on propane or water heater I slide the magnet from the off column to the on column.

Safe and happy travels.

[itat]

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

It's likely that the thermostat on the electric side is set higher than the propane side unit. Those units don't have a very close manufacturing tolerance, so they can be several degrees apart in setpoint.

Since the hi-limit didn't trip, I'd bet it's just set higher.
Do you have a good thermometer that you could actually check the temperature with?

Thanks. I only have a gun style temp reader but I can give that a try.

[bob213]

There are 130 and 140 degree thermostats available. Maybe the electric has the higher.

[itat]

Well, I guess the temperature difference must just be in my head. I tested water temps at the kitchen sink first for propane-only and then switched over to electric-only and waited for a half hour after using some hot water, and they both measured right at about 130 degrees F as they should. That’s good news. I think I’ll pick up something like Post-It Flags to stick on the gas WH switch to remind me to turn off the electric element outside.

The only potential issue I see with using the electric side is the amount of amperage it uses up on my 30 amp TT. It’s cool today so we have a small electric space heater running (to save propane of course) and that uses about 7 amps on low. With the electric WH element and the space heater running at the same time, my PI EMS is showing that we’re using from 23 amps to as high as 26 amps. I’m assuming that the battery charger is also running at the highest amperage reading because we aren’t using much else on the AC side.

[Dave Lyon]

I use the electric side whenever I can and am paranoid as well about forgetting to shut it off.

I try to remember to shut the switch off when busting down camp and getting ready to leave the park.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Dave Lyon

I use the electric side whenever I can and am paranoid as well about forgetting to shut it off.

I try to remember to shut the switch off when busting down camp and getting ready to leave the park.

As long as you don't drain the water heater when busting down camp there's no need for the paranoia. The water heater remains full enough that remembering (or forgetting) the electric switch isn't necessary.

[itat]

Originally Posted by 5picker

As long as you don't drain the water heater when busting down camp there's no need for the paranoia. The water heater remains full enough that remembering (or forgetting) the electric switch isn't necessary.

... except that I usually drain the HW tank when I get back home, and then plug in the trailer the day before the next trip to cool down the refrigerator. As soon as I plug in, the WH electric element would burn out since there won’t be any water in the tank. (I drain the WH tank to minimize stale water in the system since we don’t use the trailer every weekend - it may sit for 4-5 weeks between uses.)

[Dave Lyon]

Originally Posted by itat

... except that I usually drain the HW tank when I get back home, and then plug in the trailer the day before the next trip to cool down the refrigerator. As soon as I plug in, the WH electric element would burn out since there won’t be any water in the tank. (I drain the WH tank to minimize stale water in the system since we don’t use the trailer every weekend - it may sit for 4-5 weeks between uses.)

yep....same as me.

[DouglasReid]

As several people on here have stated, the propane and electric eachhave their own thermostats. What running both will do for you is give a quicker recovery time so the second person will not have to wait so long for the water to get hot again before taking their shower.

[itat]

Yeah, I had read that long before this thread so I knew that. I just had never tried the electric side before. As I said, I'm worried I'll forget that it's on and end up burning it out when I plug in to get ready for the next outing.

[babock]

Kinda off topic but why do you drain the WH unless it's going to freeze?

[itat]

Originally Posted by babock

Kinda off topic but why do you drain the WH unless it's going to freeze?

The water will go stale after a while so I drain the WH tank and open the low point drains to drain the water out of the system. Think about leaving a glass of water sitting on the counter for a few weeks. Would you want to use it at that after it's been sitting there stagnant? There definitely won't be any residual chlorine in it preventing anything from growing.

Many don't do this but it's my preference if we won't be using our TT for more than a couple weeks.

[babock]

I guess the fact that it's not going to be exposed to air on it and I wouldn't be drinking it makes me think it would be fine.

As kids, we would go on 5 week vacations and we didn't drain our house water heaters.

[itat]

I figure that if I use the water in the system for showering, washing my hands/face and washing dishes then it's getting near my mouth so I would just as soon refresh the system. Only takes a couple minutes so why not.

[itat]

I can also add that I've worked for a municipality that supplies water to nearly a million customers and we flush our dead end lines regularly. Admittedly not every 2 weeks though. I just am more comfortable draining it and my 2 minutes of time doesn't cost anything.

[woodyrock1]

Originally Posted by Dave Lyon

I use the electric side whenever I can and am paranoid as well about forgetting to shut it off.

I try to remember to shut the switch off when busting down camp and getting ready to leave the park.

I took a wooden clothes pin and with a black marker wrote water heater. When setting up camp I clip the clothes pin on my king pin. It is near impossible to forget to turn it off.