Hot water tank electric or gas???

Rain · 06-23-2013, 10:52 AM

We have a keystone hideout 24rb. We can only get the hot water tank to run on gas but we r told it can run on electric also. How do we get it to change from one option to the other?

Terry W. · 06-23-2013, 11:40 AM

If it is like most you have to go outside open the panel on water heater and there is a switch to turn on/off the electric side. The switch inside the camper controls the gas side. Some people leave the electric switch and control it with the breaker inside camper.

Festus2 · 06-23-2013, 11:42 AM

Yes, your HW tank will run on both propane and electricity. On our unit, there is a small, black rocker switch located in the bottom left-hand corner of the exterior access door to the HW heater. Open the door and look in the bottom left-hand corner.
The rocker switch may have a cotter pin inserted. Remove the pin and press to turn the switch to ON.
The cotter pin is there to prevent you from accidentally turning the tank on 110v when it is empty.
Some units have a switch inside the unit to change from gas to electricity.

Note that you can operate the tank on both electricity and propane or just one of these two options. Having both on, allows the water to heat up faster and may be useful if your shower is being used by teenagers and adults.
When on the electric mode, it will take longer for the water to heat up than it will using propane.

If you have the rocker switch, you will have to come outside and press the switch to OFF if you do not want to use electricity. You most likely have an interior switch to control the operation of the HW tank on propane.
Hope this helps.

buzzcop63 · 06-23-2013, 05:16 PM

Beware of using electric water heater, it runs at 10 Amps according to Keystone manual and if your are only able to draw 30Amps for your trailer, you have lost a third of your power when it comes on!

GaryWT · 06-24-2013, 05:22 PM

Our switches are side by side on the control panel. Usually run on electric since it is already paid for. Turn on gas in addition if trying to take 2 or 3 showers in a row. Also will use gas if breaker pops with AC on.

crash · 06-25-2013, 02:47 AM

Outside switch,We run ours on electric to save on the costly propane

diugo · 06-25-2013, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash

We run ours on electric to save on the costly propane

If your electricity is metered, beware of which costs more.

If the 120 VAC electric element draws 10 amps continuously, that's nearly 29 kilowatt-hours per day, which costs $3 per day at eleven cents per kWh. Do you typically spend over $90 per month just to heat water with propane?

GaryWT · 06-25-2013, 09:13 PM

29 kwh per day is masx if you are drawing on the hot water all day so it never shuts off. Most heaters will run and hour or 2 around showers, 30 minutes or so when doing dishes and a number of times in 24 hours to maintain the heat level. Something like 6 kwh a day is more likely. One would only have to worry about this if they were seasonal or monthly at some places. Most pay for the weekend and plug in.

crash · 06-27-2013, 03:51 AM

Not seasonal or monthly yet ,just a week here and a week there and there.....In 2 years when the wife retires from the army(18years in now) then we will start worring about electric or propane

byrdr1 · 06-27-2013, 12:32 PM

Thats what turns on most electric heaters. some have it where it works from inside camper but most have this switch.
randy

swan2125 · 07-04-2013, 03:07 PM

Hello y'all.

Quick Question.

We (the family) just returned from a week camping and I forgot to turn off the outside switch for the electric side of the water heater. We had already turned off the switch inside, disconnected the water and turned off the LP, but we got all the way home before we thought to turn off the outside switch. I ran the electricity when I got home, but didn't turn the water heater on inside. Did I harm the water heater, we've only had the TT a month?

Thanks.

Festus2 · 07-04-2013, 03:10 PM

As long as you have water in the HW tank you are good. If you had drained the tank and left the electric switch on THEN you would have to replace the heating element. Been there and done that. My bad.

When packing up and heading home ....... turn off the switch at the tank!!

swan2125 · 07-04-2013, 03:18 PM

We did make sure we didn't leave any water on board before we left, so I guess that means the tank was empty? When I turned it off, I checked the valve and some water came out. So I guess I won't know until I try to use it again.

Festus2 · 07-04-2013, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swan2125

We did make sure we didn't leave any water on board before we left, so I guess that means the tank was empty? When I turned it off, I checked the valve and some water came out. So I guess I won't know until I try to use it again.

If water came out when you released the high pressure valve, then that means there would be water in the HW tank. Not sure what you mean by "making sure we didn't leave any water on board before we left". Did you drain your fresh water tank or run the pump til dry? Were you hooked up to city water?
Check the outside pressure release valve again. If water comes out you are ok - there is water in the tank and the element should be fine.

swan2125 · 07-04-2013, 03:53 PM

We were hooked up to a city water connection (full hook up campground). We just opened the faucets to make sure the water ran out. When I released the pressure valve, the water came out with no force, basically a trickle. I just hooked up the water connection, made sure there was water in the heater and then turned it on in an effort to see if it warms the water or not, I guess I'll sit back and wait 15 or 20 minutes.....

labs4life · 07-04-2013, 04:01 PM

If on gas, it is pretty quick. Electric takes a minute or 20. I very rarely use the electric portion of my water heater. None of my previous trailer had dual heating elements. So I just stay with what I am used to.

swan2125 · 07-04-2013, 04:34 PM

OK, no problem here. Hooked up the water, turned on the switch outside, then the inside switch and the water came out very hot after about 10 minutes. So, I guess there was no harm done leaving the outside switch on after we left the site.

Thanks for the assist.

Festus2 · 07-04-2013, 04:38 PM

Good. Now, did you turn the outside tank switch to "OFF" ----- just kidding. Glad it worked out for you but when you winterize and drain your HW tank, turning that switch to the OFF position is a must. Mine has a small cotter pin that is inserted to prevent the switch from accidentally being turned ON. Comes in handy ---- if you remember to use it.

diugo · 07-05-2013, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swan2125

We did make sure we didn't leave any water on board before we left, so I guess that means the tank was empty? When I turned it off, I checked the valve and some water came out.

As you discovered, simply running the faucets dry does not truly drain ALL the water on board. Prior to winter, be sure to open all the plastic drain caps on the underside of your trailer.

bigcitypopo · 07-07-2013, 09:57 AM

You should run both, it allows you to have quick recovery during showers and the electric element will help maintain heat with minimal usage because the system, sees the propane first. Heating with propane is faster...

Atwood says up to 35% faster recovery and heating times..

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