Travel Trailer Gas Electric Water Heater Explained 2021

[@tiffanyw3425]

Thank you for explaining, that was my exact question!

[@computerfixer06]

I choose mine based on load. If I have the AC or fireplace on I will use propane only so I don't overload the 30amp if say the wife uses the microwave. But when it comes time to shower the kids I'll turn both on to make sure we have plenty of hot water. Excellent videos! Its cool to learn from someone with the same rig as ours.

[@HowToRV]

I think that this model f camper is very popular. I do get a lot of emails and comments from those who share the same camper as ours. We manage our electrical and hot water in the same way. Also check out this video about electrical management. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpjGmneDo7KNerc

[@mkleyn99]

Great tip! I was wondering if that is ok to do as well. I was told by experienced rv’ers to hook up power and water soon as ya can and then continue setting up and leveling. This way water heats up by the time you are complete.

[@HowToRV]

If i really wanted to warm the water while setting up, I use the propane to get started. The water doesn't really take all that long to heat up for the most part.

[@allen9703]

I would not turn on the hot water unless I know it is full of water make sure you turn the heaters electric off ! If you run it at all without water it will cause damage or burn out element.

[@McGuiresOnTires]

Thanks for walking us through. We appreciate folks who have been at this a while sharing with us new folks. Soaking up all this information like sponges. Thank you!

[@HowToRV]

Thank you for the kind reply. I love to share what i have learned as i go. Even the bad decisions if need be.

[@Krash837]

I have a question... I can't find any info. My lady doesn't want propane on the unit. Is there a way I can hook an electric one up? Or just never use the propane? I'm desperate for answers soon as we are coming to an end with our renovation

[@HowToRV]

On ine, the i can set it up to run electric only. To do so, I dont turn on the switch for the propane side that is in the RV. I understand that some may have fears around propane usage. My wife has the same concern. You can add detectors for propane leaks as well as using soapy water to spray on fittings to make sure that there are no leaks. For my daughter, her eyes get irritated really easy with usage of propane appliances and we make sure to have windows cracked open to vent out fumes from the oven. As for the water heater though, I have never had any issues. I did recently go to a tankless water heater and they are propane only. I just make sure that the carbon dioxide detector is operating correctly and check for leaks at the connection points every 3 months. hope this helps.

[@hoobeydoobey1267]

Good info. So not a priority system, but selectable or both.

[@HowToRV]

Very true!

[@nick95632]

Thanks for all your video's we just purchased the 26dbh-l Alpha wolf. It's been very helpful.

[@HowToRV]

I am so glad that I have helped. This is what the channel is all about. Do you have anything that you would like to se a video about that I have not done yet?

[@TerryX2Explore]

Thanks for the info! You can never know enough about all that stuff! 😀👍

[@HowToRV]

This was a common asked question so i had to share with others. Thanks

[@dkleath8697]

QUESTION: if you're low on propane, but need to leave supply on for stove-top & furnace; should you toggle the electric switch ( in the Exterior Access panel) ON ? Will it heat faster, thereby using less propane? Thank you in advance & for All your helpful videos- Yes I'm subscribed!

[@HowToRV]

In this case, I would leave the electric side on outside and turn off the propane side of the water heater inside. This will allow the water heater to not use any propane at all. Hot water use will have to be monitored a lot closer but you will have extened use if low on propane.

[@dkleath8697]

@@HowToRV Thank you! There's just one switch inside for water heater, I'll try that & see what happens!

[@paulvanderborgt5581]

Do you know if the electric side will work if only connected to my home 15 amp service? We rarely hook up anywhere, but I'd like to test the electric side of the water heater on our new trailer.

[@HowToRV]

You should be ok as long as that is the only thing you have turned on. To be on the safe side, you could turn off the breakers to everything except the water heater.

[@ALNTV1541]

I have the combo water heater in my Flagstaff. Question! Does the propane light on and turn off as needed? Or would I need to manually turn it on every time? Also, that rocker on/off switch near the bottom next to anode. Is that for the propane or electric element. I’ve been only using the electric element, and have been under the understanding that rocker switch is for the electric only.

[@HowToRV]

On mine the rocker switch is for electric only. Also, the propane comes on and off as needed. It looks for temperature of the water.

[@RaleyCreativeTravel]

Thanks for sharing. Good information for sure for those who have questions. This subject is important for sure.

[@HowToRV]

A lot of folks commented that very question. It is important enough that i thought that making an add on video would make sense.

[@RVWeekendsRC1]

Very good info.

[@HowToRV]

I appreciate your feedback.

[@TheJourneyAwaits]

Thank you for the information. Sage travels.

[@HowToRV]

Any time. I am no expert but i do like to share what i have learned.

[@1ofakind478]

Awesome video!! I like how you explained that both of the heating options can work together.. Keep these coming!! I am watching them as fast as you are making them..😀😀

[@HowToRV]

Thank you so much for supporting this channel. Its supporters like you that keeps me motivated.

[@chapmansus1]

That’s awesome, I didn’t know you could use both but now it makes good sense, thanks for sharing

[@HowToRV]

No problem 👍

[@NursingOurTravelBug]

With four people in our rig, we utilize the propane along with the electric part of our water heater frequently. Great explanation.

[@HowToRV]

We do as well. I would love to go to an endless or tankless water heater as some point.

[@NursingOurTravelBug]

@@HowToRV YES!!! Total game changer. Although, it could be more challenging to boondock with that.

[@techguy9023]

I pulled the sacrificial anode. Looks ok. Are you supposed to leave the pop off open when filling the hot water tank to be sure it’s full before turning on the power?

[@HowToRV]

I turn on a faucet until I get water coming from the water heater. Then I turn it on. I do not use the relief valve.

[@ontheroadwithcraigandlinda9554]

Some great information . Thanks so much sharing!!

[@HowToRV]

Thanks fo the kind words. I am hoping that this information will be of some use for many folks out there.

[@LovingLifeHitchedUp]

thanks for sharing great information. safe travels TJ & Red.

[@HowToRV]

Was this information something that you already knew or learned? It gets asked a lot in the comments and emails

[@AustinMccathern-i6u]

Thanks for advice

[@HowToRV]

I am glad it was helpful.

[@haleybug2180]

Can you use electric and not propane when running the shower and it will be hot off the electric?

[@HowToRV]

Yes. You can take a shower when running both. My wife just did...LOL... Also, if working properly, the electric will heat your water just finne. Just remember that with electric only, the water will get cold faster because the heating element cant keep up. Sorry but you will have to take military showers (soak, turn water off, lather, turn water on, rinse and repeat.) Hope this helps.

[@genemcpherson9043]

Thank you

[@HowToRV]

You're welcome

[@ericherrero4334]

Thank you this video is very helpful

[@HowToRV]

Glad to hear that!

[@alisaryon3353]

Might be a dumb question, but does the water heater tank get filled up with water automatically when you attached and turn on the fresh water hose into the trailer?

[@HowToRV]

It does. That’s a great question. Now the water heater does have bypass valve that are used for winterizing. Need to make sure these are open.

[@5054050somd]

Great information. I have the same unit in my GS Conquest. I see you can run propane with or without electric. Can you run run electric alone to save propane? Can't shut off propane, as it's needed for refrigerator while traveling and cooking while on shore power.

[@HowToRV]

You sure can. I have used ours on electric only many times. I just leave the switch on the inside of our RV off during those times. Also recommended videos. Water heater explained - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJycf6dsh7J7ptU Monitor electric usage - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpjGmneDo7KNerc Upgrade propane storage - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGfLkISsd5V3a80 Hope you enjoy.

[@5054050somd]

@@HowToRV Thank you for responding so quickly. I'll check out the other videos.

[@kimstivers1748]

Great video. I have been trying to find out if you could run both propane and electric. I do have a question. I have been using gas only and it doesn't seem to be keeping water hot for long. I can get some hot water maybe do dishes then wait few hours for shower and barley any hot water. Any ideas why that may be happening?

[@HowToRV]

Just wondering, Can you get one decent shower in? If so, then that is about how long mine lasts as well.

[@CrystalsPetsLife]

Good Information. I love how much hot water we get when we use both.

[@HowToRV]

And so do i, i would love try installing the endless water heater at sometime

[@CrystalsPetsLife]

@@HowToRV yes

[@jcshort31]

Another great video thanks man

[@HowToRV]

Thanks a lot. Isaw some of your videos...cute...I do remember the days

[@AvengerRVAdventure]

Good information Jason. I'm sad that I didn't make it to Mayberry to meet you. By the way, I challenged you last week to the 40 question challenge... 😂 Thanks for sharing! Steve

[@HowToRV]

And thank you for supporting the channel.

[@jazminvillegas9806]

What if we wanted to replace the water heater with a tank less water heater?

[@HowToRV]

I have been toying around the idea of changing to a tankless water heater. If I do, I will most definetly make a video on how it works. The designs are completely different and from what i have read, the tankless water heaters are propane only.

[@genemcpherson9043]

Do you need to turn the oven off button to open when you use propane to heat the hot water tank

[@HowToRV]

Not exactly sure of your setup but I can use the stove, oven and water heater on propane at the same time.

[@johntorres6606]

How come my RV water heater is getting hot in electrical but it doesn't comes out hot in the shower or sink? Please can you help me with this issue, Sincerely; John

[@HowToRV]

Check the outside shower heads if you have them. I have one on the backside of my RV ad one in the outside kitchen area. I have heard of folks leaving the water on and turning off the hand held shower head. This causes the hot and cold water to mix which in turn cools off the hot water. Hope your concern is just that simple. Also check to make sure the bypass valves are directed to run in the RV on the backside of the water heater. Hope that this helps

[@mountainhi100]

I have an SW 10de and on electric it occasionally shuts off and the gas does not work at all. I can not afford a new unit. If I replace the control module, heating element, and anoid would this be cheaper and probably fix the problem? Where is the control module located? Thanks Dan

[@HowToRV]

If you're looking to not spend a ton of money, i would recommend getting a professional to run some diagnostics. I have heard that there are ways to run electronic tests to see if the board is functioning correctly. I have not ran into this issue and cant speak fully on it. If i am not mistaken, the board is located on the back side of the water heater. I hope that this helps.

[@peteross2293]

If the water supply is shut off to the rv and the propane is on will the water heater still run?

[@HowToRV]

It should as long. I have done it with water in the tank. Never tried to see what would happen is the water heater was empty.

[@systemsevil1]

question, my RV is currently winterized but im going to de winterize it soon for use in the south. but the switch is in the on position and i cant turn it to off. Sorry im very new to this, but why cant i turn the electric heater off?

[@HowToRV]

sounds like the switch is stuck. You may ned to get someone to look at it and see if they can free up the switch or replace it if needed.

[@elizabethbrown7087]

I have a dual gas/electric water heater switch inside my rv ... I just don't understand how that switch works?? There is a jumper wire that connects the gas switch side to the propane switch side... and I don't understand how it works (a shared switch control) when one side is AC and one side is DC? And how does the red light in the middle of the switches communicate with both sides and to me? Any help would much be appreciated. Thank you!

[@HowToRV]

That is quite interesting. I am not sure how to answer that one. My shore power and 12v switches are seperate. Mostly because my switch for the 12v side are not meant for 120V ac. If you could email me a couple of pictures, I might be able to figure it out. [e-mail]

[@adambadley9835]

Great explanation! So if you are running both electric and propane how long can you run hot water before running out? And once you run out, how long does it take to heat back up before you can have hot water again?

[@HowToRV]

Lets use taking a shower as an example along with my 6 gallons of hot water. With the electric and propane running, I have about 10 minutes of continuous hot water, If i turn the water off in between lathering and rinsing, I do not run out of hot water before finishing. There are many factors such as temperatures outside, how cold the water coming into the camper is, if someone is using the hot water elsewhere in the camper at the same time. If we use up all of the hot water, the system will fully reheat in about 20 to 30 minutes. Hope this reply is helpful.

[@adambadley9835]

@@HowToRV Okay...great! Thank you for taking your time out to answer my question! Very helpful for a newbie!

[@johndoherty9992]

What's with the dark glasses? You can't look us in the eye?

[@HowToRV]

It was really sunny that day.

[@rlawrence2]

You never discussed electric only. How does one know their heater is working on electric? turn off gas. Will it heat? Mine doesn't even though all switches are on. Why? Need to address electric only, because what happens when you run out of gas but still want a warm shower?

[@HowToRV]

Thank yo for the tip for a future video

[@HowToRV]

Interested In Part 1 Video? -- kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJycf6dsh7J7ptU

[@mkleyn99]

Great tip! I was wondering if that is ok to do as well. I was told by experienced rv’ers to hook up power and water soon as ya can and then continue setting up and leveling. This way water heats up by the time you are complete.

[@HowToRV]

If i really wanted to warm the water while setting up, I use the propane to get started. The water doesn't really take all that long to heat up for the most part.