Electric & Gas Water Heater Recovery Time

[rockfordroo]

Picked up my new Mini Lite 2305S today. My PDI guy also said you can't run on both gas and electric, even though it's the same WH I had in my Roo 19, that I ran on both gas and electric for 3 years.

I just smiled and bit my tongue.

[Fivealive]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Never had one leak in years of doing it and you need to make sure they are functioning and not "stuck". If they leak, all you have to do is trip them a couple of times and if they continue to leak, replace them, they are not expensive.

I've also been checking mine this way for years without any issues. This is a best practice if you make it a routine when turning the power on.

[Grampa Jim]

i surrender

[sparty047]

Actually, our PDI gave us bad info on bunk folding in our new hybrid. My next trip by the dealer I shared the correct info as learned on this forum. She thanked me and said that'd be given as a recommended alternative........do the same for the PDI who misquoted the owner's manual (yes, it's there in black and white) on dual source HWHs. If s/he doesn't thank you, they'll at least be cued in to go check the info and correct the information they're giving.

[sparty047]

Originally Posted by Grampa Jim

i surrender

Grampa Jim

No, no, you need not surrender!

Summary of original post is that using both 112v element and propane fuel will heat water faster than either used alone.....more "showers per hour" and fully endorsed by the HWH manufacturer.

Venting at the sink, as you GPJim points out, is a fine alternative....but I would then have to go back around to hit the 112v switch on the HWH....! By using the OPR valve method, I complete the entire process and "button up" the vent cover knowing all is good.

[Laughing] Of course the first time I ever did this, I had to return d/t the "hot smell" we immediately noticed inside the TT! Yep! We smelled the propane burner which had also lighted (just as intended). Within 5-10 minutes it extinguished itself as the WH had reached operating temperature. We now remember that shower usage is likely to result in "smelling something hot" when the propane "boost" is ignited.



I appreciate your advice on home HWH pressure reliefs.....due to very high everyday use.....and especially with hard water; doing more than the annual test to verify proper function is just asking for trouble with premature wear....and is a sure sign you may have OCD.

Keep in mind, in their owner's manual, Suburban actually recommends venting air by lifting the OPR valve.....Given that none of us setup and take down our RVs very often , the "wear and tear" factor of using this technique is not the same as on the domestic units you mentioned failing....and not frying the 112V heating element, by assuring the OPR valve is peeing out water is a "quick and easy" way to check before reaching down to throw the 112v switch. Just saying.


BTW....there are exactly 7 recognized alternative methods for skinning a cat........




peace/out

[dan-nickie]

Originally Posted by sparty047

BTW....there are exactly 7 recognized alternative methods for skinning a cat........

I believe it is actually 9 ways.
But after that, you have to get a new cat.

[itat]

Originally Posted by ColoradoRick

When we traded in our old 18-footer for Rocky, our PDI introduced us to the dual water heater. (Heats the water with both electricity and with propane.)

I asked him if I used both would it work (recover) faster and he said, "Absolutely not, that's a common myth among RVers."

I've never, actually, tested this but was wondering what the consensus is amongst y'all?

Based on a lot of stories told here on the forum, the common myth seems to be that PDI guys know everything about the units they are selling.

[sparty047]

Originally Posted by itat

Based on a lot of stories told here on the forum, the common myth seems to be that PDI guys know everything about the units they are selling.

SPOT ON! Well stated.

Life is a "bell-shaped" curve....even amongst RV PDI's

[Grampa Jim]

sparty047 and dan nickie....I don't know which of you crack me up more!!!

[rockfordroo]

Based on a lot of stories told here on the forum, the common myth seems to be that PDI guys know everything about the units they are selling.

We probably should give them a little slack: While we're out camping and gaining experience on the weekends, they're stuck at the RV dealers on Saturdays giving bum advice in their PDI's.

[offduty11]

Originally Posted by wmtire

If you have the Suburban, it in the last link in the post right above yours.

'Suburbans electric switch and much more'

Being you know about the Suburban heaters could you explain why my on/off rocker switch for the electric is getting harder to push.(seems like it is sticking). New unit only less than 3 months old. Is it ok to use WD or CRC spray to loosen up?

[Fivealive]

Originally Posted by offduty11

Being you know about the Suburban heaters could you explain why my on/off rocker switch for the electric is getting harder to push.(seems like it is sticking). New unit only less than 3 months old. Is it ok to use WD or CRC spray to loosen up?

Use spray silicone dielectric spray. Good for switches and connections exposed to the elements.