Hott Rod RV Water Heater Conversion Kit Install

Trailer Life and MotorHome magazines' Bob Livingston and Bill Gehr show you how to convert your RV water heater to use AC current as well as propane to heat the water by installing a Hott Rod kit.

[@harold-miller]

5:01 Remind viewers to re-attach ground wire 18:07 Forget to attach the ground wire 🤦‍♂️

[@evanarnett2110]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@davidmuffoletto3853]

Tip....Put tape over the propane line before draining water to avoid water or dirt getting in the tube. Also, use a heat gun on the adhesive strip. It’ll stick to the tank with ease. I watched this video and bought the hot rod for my tank. Mine tank is propane and electric but the factory heating element is 1400 watts. The hot rod uses way less power for my off the grid solar system and so far I have saved $60 month or more on propane. I’m only on month two and it works great.

[@gr7485]

A good video but it would be helpful to know how you managed to get the sensor to stick to the tank.

[@johnnyrodriguez8358]

What about the anode rod ? This shortens the heater life.

[@iair-conditiontheoutsideai3076]

Only suburban models Atwood is ok to do this modification on as they do not use anode rods

[@petelanca]

Shouldn't you cap off the propane line to reduce risk of water into the line?

[@marymenant9661]

I wanted to say thanks for the video. I watched sev times before installing the “Hot Rod”. I did have to put in an outlet. But the breaker box had and open brea that was already set up and labeled “hot water” 15 amp. I got everything going and turned on breaker and waited an hour and no hot water until I realized that I needed to turn on the switch on the wall. The propane was not hooked up either. So I waiting another 1/2 hour or so and had great hot water. I do have to say I keep the breaker off when not in use. Just for FYI. I am a sin mother and bought the rv for my birthday 2020 for my fifty birthday. I no love my rv even more. Thank for the video.

[@j.almaraz1167]

Good job...just one observation guys. You didn't screw the ground wire to ground. 😅

[@EcoGreensFarm]

These guys.. wow. What a team! The tape that they provide sucks to be frank. I used MG Chemicals 832TC - Thermally Conductive Epoxy to affix my thermostat. Worked great!

[@FromTheHood2TheWoods]

Thanks for the video guys! I’m going to use it to show my RV mechanic here in Jacksonville Florida it’s almost impossible to find qualified RV technicians

[@CampingWorldTutorials]

You're right that there is a shot of that green wire unconnected before the leak test. Probably connected that during one of the cuts after that but, in any case, it definitely goes unsaid that you should always reconnect the ground wire after a project such as this.

[@michaelcastro5339]

Would this work on a regular full size home gas water heater? I can't find any information on installing this on the drain valve of a regular gas heater.

[@lpuccio]

whoops forgot the ground wire.

[@wrdturkey]

I would love to do this modification, but it will prevent an easy way to drain my hot water tank. They didn't say anything about that.

[@brianw612]

I like the anode in the Camco Hybrid Heat adapters. If you replace the anode rod with the heater element, it's nice to have that anode. This is fine for installing in a drain, not so much for an anode replacement.

[@chartle1]

Camco makes a 3/4" plug with a small anode for a Suburban HW.. But this is an Atwood with an aluminum tank and no anode.

[@hilham89]

So why do this if you are keeping propane hooked up as well? Im looking to get rid of propane all together in my camper. Also you saud you didnt see any bubbles when you tested it but i did see a few up on top.

[@judichristopher4604]

Great Video... Thank you for sharing this... ... I have a Question: I just got a 1972 (vintage) Aristocrat Travel Trailer... Everything is original (Dirt included) 47 years worth. This 17' travel trailer has a toilet/shower too!!! Needless to say... the hot water tank is no longer working. I want to put a tackles water heater in it... Can I do that. As of right now the OLD water heater is under one of the seats. Thank you guys for your help... I love your videos.

[@relic31583]

Is it possible to do a similar installation on a water heater with an anode rod?

[@djcarraway]

So, how did you get the thermostat to stay?

[@Iam_eLm]

Did not particularly NOTE to re-connect the green ground wire as the heat shield part was re-installed (also, not shown on video).

[@gflyers7]

Do you have to take the inside panel off and plug it in every time you want to have hot water? You not only forgot the ground wire but what about a on off switch??

[@imjustsayin6562]

The thermostat turns it on and off

[@Prayder2000]

saying yeah, but is it always on then??

[@dorisshanks9117]

I did not see you reconnect the ground wire. How dangerous is that?

[@RVexpert]

Great video guys!

[@CampingWorldTutorials]

Thanks so much!

[@rickheine8317]

I suppose this is not tied into the water heater switch at the control panel which triggers the gas solenoids and igniter. So does it try to heat water all the time? What happens when you winterize and forget to unplug it?

[@ositolee5870]

What about an on/off switch?

[@karnedge101]

So as long as your on power the heater is running? It doesn’t shut off?

[@timgraham7851]

Why no rubber grommet for the power?

[@fromthepeanutgallery1084]

Can it be converted to natural gas?

[@subarutime5089]

I replace elements with out draining the tanks

[@chartle1]

Isn't there a switch somewhere?

[@ccarpio30]

Ground cable,cord.

[@knutblaise9437]

How did you get the temperature monitoring device to stick to the hot water tank?

[@armotorsports1814]

I used a extra long zip tie.

[@u12mailus]

I think you forgot to reconnect your ground wire.

[@dennissmith9185]

No need to plug the detached gas line?

[@carlbeaver7112]

It's off at the propane tank while working on it. Watch the beginning. No need to plug it unless you plan on smoking or using a flame near it. About as dangerous as lighting a f*rt when the tank is turned off.

[@TheMemo1776]

were i can buy the kit?

[@joestayton9352]

Forgot to hook the ground up the green wire.

[@richardgibbons674]

He forgot to put the earth wire back

[@alexandriasummers9341]

Why not run the sink inside until no water comes out instead of draining it onto the ground? Wouldnt it be easier that way?

[@jgermany73]

Stick to your day job

[@FromTheHood2TheWoods]

That’s what I wondered also

[@judichristopher4604]

@@jgermany73 NO need to be RUDE

[@jgermany73]

@@judichristopher4604 What was I thinking? I guess its possible her sink is mounted in the floor

[@Ryan............]

Who taught that man how to use Teflon tape?!? Hahah

[@timeless8135]

No one , he's the sales man his job is to talk and that's what he does .

[@timeless8135]

He sits on his bucket well though ;)

[@ruggedrick]

Not worth it. They should have made it easier to retrofit.

[@ferzjurin6542]

*I ordered this as a new install for my 2000 drop in camper since it did not have one . Took out the vent and drop this one in with a helper and connected the ac wire . Pluged in the lower unit , screwed it into the ceiling and ....done. works great.>>>**nub.best/yis6** Took me about 3 hours start to finish and that includes scraping off the old puddy from the vent. The instructions ( which are in the lower unit ,not the air conditioner part) were very clear on how to install both units. The fan is a little noisey, wish it had a quiet low speed but noise is acceptable for the price. Very nice unit.*

[@mrb8692]

A rather amateurish presentation. Bob is more a distraction to explanation of the procedure than an aid. Lighting inadequate to clearly observe preparation of wire routing and thermostat installation. Too many procedure steps left to the viewer's imagination or presented as afterthoughts subsequent to the procedure already having been done. Explanation of importance of tank refilling procedure was pure mumbo-jumbo. Oh yeah, ground wire wasn't reattached. UNSAT !!!

[@kaylagarcia8118]

Ill take the plug out geese its just water ppl lol

[@JULIOZ06]

ground wire bye bye