Water heater- using elec and gas at same time

[johndeerefarmer]

Can i use both the electric element and propane at the same time to decrease recovery time?

[ependydad]

Yes.

[tanddc]

I am not sure what heater you have but on my Suburban there is no problem using both at the same time. Speeds up recovery and saves on propane. Just be sure there is plenty of water in the tank when you turn on the switch (and be sure to turn it off when you are done for the trip). The electric elements only require seconds to burn out.

[Ford Idaho]

I thought gas was faster in regards to recovery time.

I would not use both at the same time.

[tanddc]

Gas is faster than electric but both are faster than just one. Plus it saves you on propane. There is no reason I know of not to use both. If you forget and burn out your electric element, the gas will still work and it is an easy and fairly cheap fix

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

I thought gas was faster in regards to recovery time.

I would not use both at the same time.

Been using both at the same time on 9 different trailers since 1975 with no ill effects. They are made to use both at the same time, otherwise there would be an interlock to prevent it.

[Acableguy06]

Using both is fine. And as many have mentioned just make sure you always have water in it when on. Also keep in mind its on if you need to conserve power when running a generator or other high amp draw items on limited power.

[EricInColorado]

Seems like one could just wait 5 minutes and it would recover pretty well on elec alone? Maybe you have 8 daughters that all need to shower?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by EricInColorado

Seems like one could just wait 5 minutes and it would recover pretty well on elec alone? Maybe you have 8 daughters that all need to shower?

Nope, just the 2 of us. Takes a lot longer on electric. Like the old sales pitch says, "Try it, you'll like it"

[bobcrowder]

Funny story about me and my water heater. I couldn't get it to heat up using electric early this camping season, so I just used gas for the first few trips. Then I got serious about getting it fixed. Thought I needed a new element, so I bought one and installed it. Still no hot water. So I got out my tester and found that I had no power to the element. Long story short. I had unpluged it while winterizing as a precaution against turning it on before filling it with water( it worked). Totally forgot about that plug in the closet. I think I'll unplug it again this year.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by bobcrowder

Funny story about me and my water heater. I couldn't get it to heat up using electric early this camping season, so I just used gas for the first few trips. Then I got serious about getting it fixed. Thought I needed a new element, so I bought one and installed it. Still no hot water. So I got out my tester and found that I had no power to the element. Long story short. I had unpluged it while winterizing as a precaution against turning it on before filling it with water( it worked). Totally forgot about that plug in the closet. I think I'll unplug it again this year.

Put a post-it note on the door.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by bobcrowder

Funny story about me and my water heater. I couldn't get it to heat up using electric early this camping season, so I just used gas for the first few trips. Then I got serious about getting it fixed. Thought I needed a new element, so I bought one and installed it. Still no hot water. So I got out my tester and found that I had no power to the element. Long story short. I had unpluged it while winterizing as a precaution against turning it on before filling it with water( it worked). Totally forgot about that plug in the closet. I think I'll unplug it again this year.

You are correct, Bob. That is a funny story, and something I could see myself doing.

Now as Andrew pointed out to the original OP, when using the electric heating element you need to be mindful of total amps being used by everything....especially if you have a 30 amp RV. You may not be able to have the electric heating element on at the same time as certain other appliances or might trip a breaker.

[Archicamper]

I never use electric for fear of burning it out. I guess there is no difference between not using it and forgetting to fill the tank and burning it out!

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by wmtire

You are correct, Bob. That is a funny story, and something I could see myself doing.

Now as Andrew pointed out to the original OP, when using the electric heating element you need to be mindful of total amps being used by everything....especially if you have a 30 amp RV. You may not be able to have the electric heating element on at the same time as certain other appliances or might trip a breaker.

We have 30 amp and have never (knock on wood) had to curtail using any of the factory appliances all at once for fear of tripping a breaker. It's only when we use another appliance such as an electric skillet, hair dryer or something else that is plugged into an existing outlet with the microwave going.

[johndeerefarmer]

When I was young dad made all of us kids take "navy showers". He wasn't in the Navy, just German and frugal.
Once I moved out I got used to taking long showers. I don't much care for the short showers that you have to take in the travel trailer. I could only imagine a girl with long hair trying to get all of the soap out without running out of hot water

[DDC]

I always use both I just have to remember to switch the electric off before we disconnect or you get some arcing.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

We have 30 amp and have never (knock on wood) had to curtail using any of the factory appliances all at once for fear of tripping a breaker. It's only when we use another appliance such as an electric skillet, hair dryer or something else that is plugged into an existing outlet with the microwave going.

I have found on 30amp sites, we can have 2 big appliances running at a time- when the 3rd kicks on, we trip the breaker at the campground box.

Our "big appliances":
- A/C
- Microwave (only 1 at a time)
- Water heater on electric
- Baby bottle warmer
- Teenage niece and mega hair dryer
- Electric skillet

Once we started to realize the limitations- we do OK and trip the breaker a lot less.

[wneise]

Typically just use electric and have the campground pay to heat my water. I will switch to propane when there is a line for the shower or we need to use the AC. I'm chronic about checking the black and grey levels when dumping, so making sure the WH is off is not a problem.

[Patches]

My electric element takes 15 minutes to heat up water to a comfortable temp. Of course I only use the electric element when on shore power. Propane takes a little less time by 3 or 4 minutes. Never thought about using both at the same time. Maybe cut the heating process in half? 7-8 minutes?

[MC9]

One of the first things my wife does on a new rig is write the model no. of all the appliances on the applicable manual. That answers most questions.