Does a 6 gal. Suburban SW6DE HWH take a lot of LP

[Barry1]

First of all thanks to all who contributed to solving my brake problem a couple of weeks ago. Now I would like to know if using my hot water heater on LP only is going to be costly. I know it will matter how much hot water I use, so here is a typical scenario. Initial heating of cold water at campsite>>>washing my wife and my dishes three times>>>one shower each>>>a few washes of the hands during the day.

[wmtire]

It's totally your option, but I've never noticed that my water heater uses much propane. The furnace is the big gas hog.

Here is also a link to using the SWDE, if you aren't too familiar with it:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ore-36197.html

[lbrjet]

Doesn't use that much. Furnace yes, a few 30 degree nights in a row can deplete a whole tank of propane.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[Barry1]

Thank you lbrjet and wmtire for your insight.
My new to me 2006 FR Surveyor SV210 came with all the pertinent manuals with the exception of the hot water heater. With the link from wmtire, I now have all the info a manual would give me.
Thanks very much
Barry1

[OswegoLion]

I use electric with my water heater. No need to waste my propane.

[Coolharts]

When it is shower time I supplement with gas, otherwise I run mine on electric only.

[aceinspp]

In the 30 years I been camping I have never used electric. I camp an average of 60 nights a year and have never use a full bottle of propane. Maybe if your full time I can see folks using electric. Later RJD

[oldsmasma]

We almost always use electric for hw. If it's included in your site rental why not? Oh and I normally only wash dishes once per day. Paper plates most of the time cause mama's on vacation too.

[MilCop4523]

We got rid of my LP only heater and replaced it with LP/ electric because we are on a seasonal lot paying for power.

No need to pay to heat 2 times

[Herk7769]

We use LP only for hot water.

1) Much faster recovery time on propane;

2) Wattage delivered to water is voltage dependent; the lower the campground voltage; the less watts the electric heater delivers to the water. In the heat of summer, older campgrounds using aluminum supply wires have large voltage drops in their circuits when under Air Conditioning Load.

3) If you use both at the same time, even faster recovery time.

[Paradise115]

Originally Posted by Barry1

First of all thanks to all who contributed to solving my brake problem a couple of weeks ago. Now I would like to know if using my hot water heater on LP only is going to be costly. I know it will matter how much hot water I use, so here is a typical scenario. Initial heating of cold water at campsite>>>washing my wife and my dishes three times>>>one shower each>>>a few washes of the hands during the day.

Lucky man! She lets you wash her 3 times a day? That's what I call squeaky clean!!

[Tom48]

[QUOTE=lbrjet;1219104]Doesn't use that much. Furnace yes, a few 30 degree nights in a row can deplete a whole tank of propane.

2X. We just turn off WH at night so it does not cycle on/ off and click click while we sleep.

[OldBob]

We only turn ours on when we need it. Takes about 5 minutes for good hot water for shower or dishes and then we turn it off. It actually stays hot for a long time.

[OswegoLion]

We use the same process as OldBob. No need to leave it on. It warms up quickly on electric and you don't use your propane. After being off all night we still have warm water in morning and can make it hot in minutes.

[Barry1]

Thanks again to all who contributed to my question. I now have a plan for our first trip (end of next week). I will start on electric and will fire up the LP for shower use only. Maybe I will get brave and try a shower on electric only, but I am not a fan of COLD SHOWERS!!!! I did use LP to heat up my tank here at home and was surprised how fast I had hot water. I then used electric for a 24 hour period to make sure it was working. Next, I turned off the electric around 6PM and, as others have told me in this forum, the water was still warm the following morning.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Barry1

Thanks again to all who contributed to my question. I now have a plan for our first trip (end of next week). I will start on electric and will fire up the LP for shower use only. Maybe I will get brave and try a shower on electric only, but I am not a fan of COLD SHOWERS!!!! I did use LP to heat up my tank here at home and was surprised how fast I had hot water. I then used electric for a 24 hour period to make sure it was working. Next, I turned off the electric around 6PM and, as others have told me in this forum, the water was still warm the following morning.

Many things will contribute to 'how long' you'll be able to go before it gets cold.

The inlet temperature of the water going into the tank is probably the biggest factor. If very cold well water is the supply, then it will take the tank much longer to recover from the cold shock than if the inlet water has been laying in a pipe just beneath the surface of the ground in a campground for hundreds of feet.

The other biggest factor is the GPM flow of your shower head.
More flow = more hot water used.

Enjoy your camping!

[DSMURPHY]

When its just the wife and I, we use electric only. We will use propane when the grandkids are with us ( four this weekend!)