Camco electric water heater core install problem

[donkro]

Trying to install the Camco electric water heater core into my Atwood 6 gal gas water heater. Just getting the current plug out is a chore because the gas line and other pieces are right in front of the plug. The Camco unit sticks out even further and the gas line and and other pieces are in the way. Am I out of luck trying to make this work? Anybody run into this? see attached pic

[donkro]

sorry pic uploaded upside down

[Chris Pastuzyn]

Depending on how comfortable you are with taking out that gas valve ? Than you can get crafty and replumb that drain valve .

[donkro]

third time a charm?

[donkro]

sorry it's not letting me upload upright! what the heck!

[Bama Rambler]

When taking a picture with your phone hold it with the 'bottom' on the right in landscape mode. That will usually allow the pic to post right on forums.

Can you take a little wider and post it? That might allow us to give you some suggestions of how to replumb it.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by donkro

Trying to install the Camco electric water heater core into my Atwood 6 gal gas water heater. Just getting the current plug out is a chore because the gas line and other pieces are right in front of the plug. The Camco unit sticks out even further and the gas line and and other pieces are in the way. Am I out of luck trying to make this work? Anybody run into this? see attached pic

that’s a drain plug not the electrical rod.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by Witch Doctor

that’s a drain plug not the electrical rod.

what is the model # of your Atwood W/H.

[5picker]

What exactly are you calling a "Camco water heater core"?

If it is what is in the first photo below, you shouldn't be.
An Atwood tank is aluminum and does not need an anode rod.

There should have been a plastic/nylon drain plug only in your tank.



If you simply want a petcock for draining, install a 45º adapter of the correct size and just screw a petcock into the adapter.




You could also replace the petcock with a T-handle to one with a knob...


Final question.... are you trying to install an electric element into a gas only water heater?

[5picker]

Originally Posted by donkro

sorry pic uploaded upside down

Originally Posted by donkro

third time a charm?

Originally Posted by donkro

sorry it's not letting me upload upright! what the heck!

How about this?...

[Ejs4029]

My guess is the OP is trying to install a Camco RV Hot Water Hybrid Heat

[donkro]

Yes that's what I'm trying to install, gas line stuff is right in the way. There's a guy on youtube with same unit as mine and his went in super easy. And now I'm thinking it will be a pain to winterize. Has anybody just installed a point of use heater inside the coach? I have a class C.

[donkro]

Since we frequently stay at campgrounds with electricity, it seems having an electric source of heated water would be easier and less expensive than gas, especially since we're already paying for the electric.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by donkro

Yes that's what I'm trying to install, gas line stuff is right in the way. There's a guy on youtube with same unit as mine and his went in super easy. And now I'm thinking it will be a pain to winterize. Has anybody just installed a point of use heater inside the coach? I have a class C.

Originally Posted by donkro

Since we frequently stay at campgrounds with electricity, it seems having an electric source of heated water would be easier and less expensive than gas, especially since we're already paying for the electric.

You certainly could install an on-demand water heater but that would take some work and most are propane so no real advantage over what you have. All electric ones are pretty expensive.

The conversion rod does make draining the tank a bit of a chore.

You could always consider replacing your current water heater with the model that has the element. (located in the rear on an Atwood) Of course this would require an electrical circuit be run to the water heater from the power distribution box for it to be factory like. You 'could' put a plug on the end of the supply line and simply plug it into an extension cord to the pedestal.


Or... you could just use propane.
I realize the on-board LP tank of a motorhome limits your capacity somewhat but you could always supplement your LP with a portable external tank plumbed in one of several ways.

[dmctlc]

Why not just replace the HW heater with a Truma tankless electric HW heater and you'll have all the hot water you want. Granted up front cost aren't cheap but worth it with usually enough hot water to keep everyone happy in the family. Though I'm not sure if they're dual fuel meaning do they have ones that have gas and electric. I have the electric version in my Class A and we are very happy with it so far. Thanks

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by dmctlc

Why not just replace the HW heater with a Truma tankless electric HW heater and you'll have all the hot water you want. Granted up front cost aren't cheap but worth it with usually enough hot water to keep everyone happy in the family. Though I'm not sure if they're dual fuel meaning do they have ones that have gas and electric. I have the electric version in my Class A and we are very happy with it so far. Thanks

Maybe the OP dry camps or boondocks and likes to have the propane option. A Truma would be useless in that case.
We do and would never have a electric only WH or fridge.

[donkro]

Thinking something like this? Opinions?



https://www.tanklesswaterheaterdepot...t-water-heater

[dmctlc]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Maybe the OP dry camps or boondocks and likes to have the propane option. A Truma would be useless in that case.
We do and would never have a electric only WH or fridge.

I agree but looking at a point of use (POU) can be expensive and leave him in the same situation when and if he's boondocking. I guess the OP will need to decide but a POU is just that, only good for one place not covering everything in the rig. Plus, IMHO, POU hot water heaters take up space.

[donkro]

we do boondock so would like to keep the gas fired hot water heater hooked up, just would like the electric option when in a campground. I'm thinking I could hook it up before or after the gas heater. This Rheem unit runs on 110v and uses 29amps and says can be used in an Rv, also looks pretty small. My unit provides 30amps, so couldn't use anything else when this would be on.

[donkro]

this Bosch unit looks interesting, only uses 12amps, but would require a bit more space as it has a tank




https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0148O65IE...783400601&th=1