Community Forums

Smsudad · 07-28-2013, 08:25 AM

Hi all, we have been looking at a 2002 Kountry Star 35 foot gas unit... I think it has a gas water heater only. Will this be a problem or great expense? If so is it easy to convert it to a gas/electric unit. Thanks. Doug

"007" · 07-28-2013, 08:52 AM

Welcome to the forum Doug, all water heaters come with a 10 gal gas/electric heating.
Here is a Brochure and Owners Guide for the coach.
The gas chassis could be on a Ford or Workhorse chassis and the Workhorse chassis should have a brake recall done by now.
A 02 coach you need to look at roof seals around the Brite-Tex roof area and seals outside around the floor trim and vertical seams around front & read caps for being dried out.
On the WH face plate outside there is also a switch for AC element that needs to be turned on when water is in it.

macantic · 07-28-2013, 08:52 AM

Are you sure? I would think something that new would have both. Our old 2002 pace arrow had both. The switch is probably hidden somewhere.

Go Dawgs · 07-28-2013, 09:16 AM

Unless you go through a ton of hot water you should be OK. I only turn my on about 10 min or so before I need hot water. That way it isn't cycling all the time. I rarely use the electrical side of mine. Your biggest propane usage is for the furnace and if you do lots of cooking inside.

Smsudad · 07-28-2013, 09:21 AM

Thanks all. The ad says it has a 10 gal water heater and all the brochures show this unit to have a 6 gal ...... It may have some upgrades that I'm not aware of. Tomorrow is Monday so ill be able to call about it. Thanks for your assistance. Doug

Smsudad · 07-28-2013, 09:23 AM

Thanks I was looking for this very thing. Appreciate your help.

"007" · 07-28-2013, 03:25 PM

Your coach does show a 6 gal HWH

and there was no option for the 10 gal that year.

I would guess a Navy shower or quick ones.

GaryKD · 07-28-2013, 04:39 PM

Hi Smsudad,
Not to worry. If more than one shower is needed have the gas and electric both on. If is has only gas then you do not need to remember to turn the gas on. With gas and electric on the water heater will recover quickly. My comments assume adults are taking a normal shower. My comments do not apply when teenage females take a shower.

driedl · 07-29-2013, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi Smsudad,
Not to worry. If more than one shower is needed have the gas and electric both on.

Thanks, Gary - I've often wondered if I could leave both the gas and electric on at the same time. Do other people do this? Is there any downside? If I leave both on for a weekend, will the WH know to "prefer" electric over gas until both are needed?

"007" · 07-29-2013, 07:18 AM

The water heater will make no preference for gas or electric, both will operate to bring up the temperature level.
To save on gas after showers leave on electric and the element will keep water to the temperature level.

GaryKD · 07-29-2013, 09:31 AM

Hi driedl,
Unfortunately the water heater is dumb. If both sources of heat are left on, it all depends on which kicks in first as the power source for heat. For me, the electric element will maintain the water temperature and the gas will not come on (in temperature maintenance mode).