233s heater work on propane and electric?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by thestrangebrew

I've got another question about using the water heater on electricity this time. I suck at electrical stuff so here goes: If I want to use the water heater on electricity at this site, I need to make sure I'm on 120v shore power per the this thread: http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ore-36197.html

Can I assume once again that a park with full hookups has this kind of power? or should i just stick to using my propane for the water heater? Man I'm a noob.

Any full hookup campground, will have 120v shore power, at minimum.
Just make sure there's water in the water heater.

[thestrangebrew]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Any full hookup campground, will have 120v shore power, at minimum.
Just make sure there's water in the water heater.

Man you guys are awesome. I also read not to forget to turn the switch back off before I leave the site to not burn out the element. I'll have to setup some sort of reminder. Thanks!

[bikendan]

We have a Roo checklist for setup and takedown, posted by the door.
Making sure the WH electric switch is off, is on that list.

[Dave Lyon]

Originally Posted by thestrangebrew

Man you guys are awesome. I also read not to forget to turn the switch back off before I leave the site to not burn out the element. I'll have to setup some sort of reminder. Thanks!

Not entirely true. As long as the water heater is full of water, the element won't burn out........it is aproblem when the tank is empty and the switch is left "on".

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Dave Lyon

Not entirely true. As long as the water heater is full of water, the element won't burn out........it is a problem when the tank is empty and the switch is left "on".

As Dave pointed out (and is also explained in the link you posted about the electric switch), you will burn out the element if the switch is left on and there is no water in the tank.

However, as Dan stated, it is wise to use a checklist of things that need to be done, and is best practices to always turn the switch OFF, when breaking camp. That way you'll never run the risk of possibly forgetting the switch is on when draining the hot water tank at any time. Too easy a step in order to be better safe than sorry.

Until you get the habits and nuances down pat of setting/breaking camp, a checklist of the steps needed is always your best bet.

As also pointed out in the link about the switch, it's also easy to take clothes pins and write things on them with sharpies. You can then attach these clothes pins to your coupler, that will always remind you to check on certain things when hooking up to the tow vehicle. Some of the more common things that are forgotten, is the electric water heater switch, the television antenna still being raised, walking steps not folded up, awning rolled up, and trailers electric cord hooked to tow vehicle and/or emergency breakaway cable secured to tow vehicle.

[Mr. Dan]

There's lots of good info. here. When I unplug my trailer's electric cord from the shore power pedestal, I don't really need to turn off the water heater's electric power switch since the heater is full of water AND no power is available to burn up the heater coil......... BUT, as was stated, turning off the switch is on my checklist and I always do it when I break camp. For one reason, I don't want to waste electricity heating water when I get home and plug in to my power supply in my trailer shed. Since the "habits and nuances ... of setting/breaking camp" are not strong enough to override the nuances of being old and overwhelmed by a list of more than 7 items, I have a checklist on every trip. DW has her section... I have mine. We still try to leave a coiled hose or a broom at the site!

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

are not strong enough to override the nuances of being old and overwhelmed by a list of more than 7 items,

I notice I'm getting to that same point as each day passes.

I thought we had some of these checklists in our library here on FRF but can't find them.

Here is a link to a good resource for them.

http://rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguide..._checklist.php

[mTn_biKer65]

We use a mini oil heater and keep the furnace set lower as a backup. It gives us the quiet heat we're looking for while cutting down on the furnace cycles as well.

[thestrangebrew]

Thanks everyone! I was going to ask if someone minded posting a checklist they've created (knowing it'll be slightly different than mine obviously) but that's a great link posted above!

[thestrangebrew]

Update: Thanks to the advice given here our trip was a success (for the most part)! Everything worked out perfectly and we loved our time at a spot with full hookups. Almost better than dry camping lol.

[Flybob]

I use one of these ( 6" long) attached to my shore power plug to remind me to turn off /check the WH switch. The have a clip that can be attached to the plug. You can find them on ebay for a few bucks. Also great reminder if you turn you battery off during storage.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by thestrangebrew

Update: Thanks to the advice given here our trip was a success (for the most part)! Everything worked out perfectly and we loved our time at a spot with full hookups. Almost better than dry camping lol.

Thanks for reporting back!!