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08-26-2010, 04:30 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Lexington, NC
Posts: 2,621
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Water heater threat?
On a recent visit to a private campground, we noticed a sticker on the breaker box that said we should operate our water heater on gas only because use of the shore power might damage it. As far as we could tell, every power box in the campground had the stickers on them. We didn't get a chance to ask management what the problem was, but someone suggested it was just a way for the campground to save on its electric bill. Has anyone else run into this? We couldn't imagine how a standard-looking 20/30 amp source could damage a water heater.
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2018 Coachmen Apex 249 RBS
2010 Silverado LT 5.3 V8
The world is a great book, of which those who never stir from home
read only a page. - St. Augustine
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08-26-2010, 04:49 PM
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#2
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The Old Man
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Huntersville, NC
Posts: 330
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mjones12
someone suggested it was just a way for the campground to save on its electric bill
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BINGO!
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2010 Flagstaff 829RGSS
Still to go: AK, NL, NT, NU, YT
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08-26-2010, 05:11 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SUNSHINE STATE
Posts: 1,769
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You hit the nail on the head!
If you were the owner of the RV park and your GOAL was to save $$$$$$$$
on the electric bill, what would you put on the ele hook-up panel?
NUFF SAID
Daisy The Boykin
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08-26-2010, 05:53 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,555
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Plug it in and use their juice. They must think everyone is stupid.
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08-26-2010, 07:13 PM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 800
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Would it not be prudent to check the post's wiring polarity as a precaution?
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08-26-2010, 07:39 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Where We Hook Up
Posts: 220
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If the characteristics of the electricity supplied were indeed out of spec (frequency, voltage too high/low etc.) then othere components in the coach would be at risk as well.
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B&W RVK3300
Full-timing since 5/2/2016. Roam Sweet Home.
FROG Int'l Rallies: 2012-2017
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08-26-2010, 08:06 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,260
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I carry a multi-meter with me and if I saw a sign like that then I would test it and if the power is there then I am pugging my rig In and using what I paid for.
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08-26-2010, 08:19 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 201
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HI There: I say plug it in & use the power you paid for it. I also have a Digital Monitor that measures line voltage, frequency & wire diagnostics. it is Model 20020 Digital Monitor made by Automated Engineering Corp. Got it at, Yes Camping World. On the diagnostics , sound alarm for reverse polarity, high/low voltage, gr. faults,& high/low Frequency. Plug in to the 30amp crossover & check before you hook up your rig or plug in to rig outlets to monitor line power. There all kind of stuff out there for us Camper to get, that we may or may not need.
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2010 wildcat 31ts
05 Ford F350 SD PS
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08-26-2010, 08:32 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 201
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PS: I wouldn't think about using the electric water heater, but would think about if the plug and 30 amp outlet fit loose. This will over heat your plug. This will also drop your line voltage under load & so on.
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2010 wildcat 31ts
05 Ford F350 SD PS
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08-26-2010, 08:33 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Picton
Posts: 714
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Good one. He must think campers are stupid
Do keep in mind that it will take a while to get hot water - if you're in a rush...
Nothing beats propane for heating water.
My guess probably 45 minutes on electric VS 8-9 minutes on propane. Recovery will be also take the same time.
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Denis & Diane
* Happy Campers *
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08-26-2010, 08:39 PM
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#11
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CLASS "A" Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Upperco, Maryland
Posts: 3,136
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We've been to a few places over the years that charge extra if you use your AC Unit. One in particular asked if we were going to use our AC unit and we were tenting at the time. We didn't tell them we brought a fan or that may have cost us more as well.
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2007 Georgetown 370TS
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08-26-2010, 09:26 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Hill, Wa
Posts: 264
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We never use the electric portion of the water heater.
Hell, I thought most trailers you can't use the microwave and the water heater at the same time? and then throw in the AC in the summer on top of that.
I just don't even bother. We use our microwave alot and the gas water heater might cycle a whopping couple times a day on average.
As far as paying for the electricity that we paid for in campground stays, well the first thing I usually do is turn on the AC even if we are not inside, which most of the time we are not.
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Steve 1999 Ford Superduty F250 PSD CC SB 6spd 4x4. B&W goosneck/companion hitch, Airlift 5000 airbags. 2006 Sierra F28 Rear Kitchen 5th Wheel, 31' = 10k pounds. Nights camped in 09-14, 2010-23
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08-26-2010, 09:35 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,555
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Quote:
Originally Posted by miatared
Good one. He must think campers are stupid
Do keep in mind that it will take a while to get hot water - if you're in a rush...
Nothing beats propane for heating water.
My guess probably 45 minutes on electric VS 8-9 minutes on propane. Recovery will be also take the same time.
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I normally test mine at home before every trip and my electric will get hot water coming out in about 10 - 15 minutes. The propane does get it hot faster but if I can use their electric, I will.
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08-26-2010, 10:40 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Enumclaw, WA
Posts: 2,615
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hokiehall
I normally test mine at home before every trip and my electric will get hot water coming out in about 10 - 15 minutes. The propane does get it hot faster but if I can use their electric, I will.
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Same here on our 10gal heater, the electric element works very fast. We like to arrive before dark to get hooked up anyway so I plug in turn the element on and we have hot water for showers or washing hands/dishes when we need it. I very rarely use propane when we are paying for electricity.
Sounds like a campground trying to save money like the others here have stated.
I would post a review on campgroundreviews.com on this one if I was the OP.
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08-27-2010, 10:46 AM
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#15
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Villa Estate 392FLFB
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
Posts: 1,085
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i got the electric 10 gallon in mine. wish it had the option of gas though for the back to back showers etc.
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08-28-2010, 08:42 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,031
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As campers we should also look at the campground owners side. We all complain about the high fees that campground owners charge. If everyone camping just ran of the electric service The owner has to charge more in order to make a profit. I have seen people that are overnight camping bring small bar frig, water coolers electric grills, electric frypans ext. just so they do not have to use their propane. Everyone has to pay for ther excess use of hydro. Think what you are doing when you are camping. Yes you pay extra for hydro but it is not that much more then a none hydro site.
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08-28-2010, 01:32 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 201
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I think caper has a good point of view. But if your a full timer or at the park lone time ,you will pay at the meter usages @ what the park want to charge for KW used. Yes you get a discount for your spot. If your in there for a night or two you will pay full rate. I would think in this rate they have cover the electrical you would use for a water heater & AC. But like caper pointed out at what are we over due it?
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