Camco Hybrid Heat HWH

[ctpres]

Install easy but planning takes a LOT of time. Do Not use wiring diagram on right side of instructions. Follow wires on drawing in middle and you will be OK.
Do not use drill bit less than 1/2 or you will have trouble installing rubber gromet on heating element wires as they pass thru housing to inside.
Instructions call for mounting on flat surface. Not possible in my case so I cut out foam tank insulation a bit smaller than needed so thermostat fit snugly, figuring to trap heat and possibably make up for mounting it on round surface.
Operation:
1. Quiet no noise at all. I am usually first one up and did not turn WH on due to burner noise. DW much happier person after a full nights sleep. Turned it on thia AM and other than switch click - nothing
2. Water temp seems to be about the same as with gas heat. I will test that later and post follow-up.
3. Speed - slow by itself. Havn't tried to time it yet but you can't expect fast hot water with a 400 watt element. If in a hurry use both gas and elec at the same time.
Reasons why I got it:
1. save a buck or two at sites with elec. included
2. more hot water for longer showers
3. less noise for neighbors when camped in close quarters.

Had read a couple negative comments about wanting it to have a lighted power swithch. It is lighted and it stays on as long as switch is on unlike our gas power switch which is only during lighting cycle. . I suspect others installed wrong due to wiring diagram problem mentioned above.

My installation is now complete except for a dedicated breaker, wiring and outlet. Saving that for another rainy day.

[dmullen]

So with this kit you always have the option to still use propane for the hot water heater if you want?

Thanks for the write-up!

[ctpres]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmullen So with this kit you always have the option to still use propane for the hot water heater if you want? Thanks for the write-up!

Yes you can heat elec only, gas only or both at the same time. Time/temp increase from very unscientific study, starting at 64 degrees to 126 degree in about 2.5 hours on elec only. adding gas brought it up to 130 degrees. I suspect it would have reached max temp on elec faster if I hadn't been drawing water every 30 min to test temp.

[ctpres]

With the gas only heat we typically turned WH off at night and back on on for showers and dishwashing. With electric, I decided to hook up our Kill-A-Watt (measures electric usage) and see just what the operating cost is with WH left on all the time. Obviously our two person hot water usage will be different from others but I figured an overnight test with no usage would be worthwhile information for anybody. With gizmo set for 15 cents per KW our overnight cost to maintain hot water was only 5 cents! So our camping life just got less complicated. Will report later with longer term usage results

[ctpres]

After one week of normal (for us) hot water usage, including showers and daily dishwashing, electric HWH bill is $1.95. I think we can live with that.