Water Heater SW10DE - electric from home / operation question

[Deanm]

Newb here,

Just dewinterized and fired up the water heater for the first time on a new Cruiser Stryker 2613.

I'm plugged into my home via a 20amp to 30 amp adapter. When I put the water heater in electric mode the electric breaker doesnt trip but the AC power side cycles on and off . I tried disconnecting the shore power from my home and fired up the Onan 4k generator and all worked fine.

1-Is this because my 20 amp electric from my house is not sufficient for my 30 RV system?
2- When using the water heater in propane mode , does the flame remain on indefinitely or as needed?
3. Assuming we have a proper 30 amp hook up, what is the best / most efficient way to get the water heater up and hot? Elactric, propane, or both ( and is both even safe / ok / common way of running the water heater? )

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by Deanm

Newb here,

Just dewinterized and fired up the water heater for the first time on a new Cruiser Stryker 2613.

I'm plugged into my home via a 20amp to 30 amp adapter. When I put the water heater in electric mode the electric breaker doesnt trip but the AC power side cycles on and off . I tried disconnecting the shore power from my home and fired up the Onan 4k generator and all worked fine.

1-Is this because my 20 amp electric from my house is not sufficient for my 30 RV system? Yes. You will have problems using your water heater on electric with your 20 amp supply.
2- When using the water heater in propane mode , does the flame remain on indefinitely or as needed? It will only fire as needed.
3. Assuming we have a proper 30 amp hook up, what is the best / most efficient way to get the water heater up and hot? Elactric, propane, or both ( and is both even safe / ok / common way of running the water heater? ) Use both electric and propane for the quickest recovery. This is perfectly safe and done by almost everybody.

Bruce

[Flybob]

Is the house outlet you are plugging into a 20A or 15A circuit. Is the house outlet GFCI protected? Some GFCIs do not play well in series. What else in the house in on that breaker? Your converter is probably drawing a considerable current to top off the battery in addition to the WH.

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by Deanm

3. Assuming we have a proper 30 amp hook up, what is the best / most efficient way to get the water heater up and hot? Elactric, propane, or both ( and is both even safe / ok / common way of running the water heater? )

When ever I hear someone has de-winterized and is having water heater issues I immediately wonder if you are sure the water heater tank is full of water?
The only way to be really sure is to pull the pop off valve handle and see if water comes out. BE CAREFUL the water might be hot!!
And to answer the last part of question 3- it is common to run both LP and electric on a water heater if you are in a hurry to heat the tank.
Also as mentioned at home on a 20A circuit that might have other items on it- I'd just use LP to heat the water.

I once spent the night in a friends driveway. He assured me the outlet I was plugging into in his garage was a 20A. I plugged in and all was fine until we turned on the coffee pot in the morning. It turned out his 20A circuit also had a side by side "beer fridge" on the same circuit!

Good luck and Happy Trails!

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by KyDan

When ever I hear someone has de-winterized and is having water heater issues I immediately wonder if you are sure the water heater tank is full of water?
The only way to be really sure is to pull the pop off valve handle and see if water comes out. BE CAREFUL the water might be hot!!
And to answer the last part of question 3- it is common to run both LP and electric on a water heater if you are in a hurry to heat the tank.
Also as mentioned at home on a 20A circuit that might have other items on it- I'd just use LP to heat the water.

I once spent the night in a friends driveway. He assured me the outlet I was plugging into in his garage was a 20A. I plugged in and all was fine until we turned on the coffee pot in the morning. It turned out his 20A circuit also had a side by side "beer fridge" on the same circuit!

Good luck and Happy Trails!

So, did you have beer instead of coffee that morning?

Bruce

[Tom48]

Obviously the shore line is not providing enough juice. Could be too much on the circuit before your line or the cord you are using is too light.

A 100 foot garden extention can be only 16ga or worse, some 18ga. That will barely bring any current, let alone our needs.

I keep one of these plugged in, in plain view in our coach

. http://www.adventurerv.net/line-voltage-meter-p-4021.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwvbLkBRBbEiwAChbckaqH1K01RV V2uv_ELpamIMBtjQzy2o5cStL8drRDNxNmqs1tcfMY1hoCPyIQ AvD_BwE&sc_intid=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adventurerv.net4 021&scid=scplphttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.adventurerv.net4021 &adpos=1o11&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=Froogle& utm_campaign=partsfeed_organic

[Scrapper]

Here's a link for you, New to RV's helpful hints

And the service manual for your water heater.

[Deanm]

Thanks for all the great replies !
Thanks for all the warnings / suggestions for making sure the water heater is full / house electric / extension cord check list / etc.

Just got back from maiden voyage/ weekend test camp trip ! All went well. It was an electric only site- 30 amp.

I started off with electric water heater mode and stayed in that mode all weekend with no issues.

I might as well have the 30 amp hook up installed. I've already had a upgraded/new drive put in so I could store the RV at my house and I love having it here to work on/ etc.

[cavie]

Originally Posted by Deanm

Thanks for all the great replies !
Thanks for all the warnings / suggestions for making sure the water heater is full / house electric / extension cord check list / etc.

Just got back from maiden voyage/ weekend test camp trip ! All went well. It was an electric only site- 30 amp.

I started off with electric water heater mode and stayed in that mode all weekend with no issues.

I might as well have the 30 amp hook up installed. I've already had a upgraded/new drive put in so I could store the RV at my house and I love having it here to work on/ etc.

Be VERY sure your electrician understands this is a 120 volt RV service. Not 240 volts!

[Deanm]

Originally Posted by cavie

Be VERY sure your electrician understands this is a 120 volt RV service. Not 240 volts!

Great point thanks !

What is required / is different with the 120v 30amp vs normal 15-20 amp line installations? How is done?

[wmtire]

print out this pdf file we keep on the forums in the FAQ subsection to hand the electrician.

http://www.myrv.us/Imgs/PDF/30-amp%20Service.pdf

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by cavie

Be VERY sure your electrician understands this is a 120 volt RV service. Not 240 volts!

This post is probably the best advice you have received in your thread. I will add that you shouldn’t trust that your electrician understood what you told him about this. Make sure you check the voltage at the outlet before your electrician gives you the bill.

Bruce

[cavie]

Originally Posted by Deanm

Great point thanks !

What is required / is different with the 120v 30amp vs normal 15-20 amp line installations? How is done?

15/20/30 amp RV services are all the same. 3 wires. 1 hot blade. 1 neutral blade and a ground blade. 120 volts.
50 amp RV service is 4 wires. 2 hot blades, 1 neutral blade and one ground blade. 240 volts between the two outside blades. Round blade is ground.

15/20 will not plug into a 30.

[Deanm]

Originally Posted by wmtire

print out this pdf file we keep on the forums in the FAQ subsection to hand the electrician.

http://www.myrv.us/Imgs/PDF/30-amp%20Service.pdf

Thanks , got it, very helpful !