Community Forums

RV Vagabond · 08-05-2016, 10:47 PM

When you are off-grid, do you run your propane water heater 24 hours a day, or just when you need hot water for showers

plasma800 · 08-05-2016, 11:22 PM

"sometimes"

Nothing wrong with leaving it running, but sometimes I feel it's sort of a waste, so I shut it off, and turn it back on 15 to 20 before needed, probably on all evening, off before hitting the sack.

Arizona · 08-05-2016, 11:54 PM

We have an electronic timer from the dollar store we set for 18 minutes. When it beeps the waters hot. Used to be 13 with the six gallon.

rdrv831 · 08-06-2016, 12:05 AM

I installed an electric add on to my water heater. We usually stay at full hookup sites so we leave the electric on. That saves the gas.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0024ECCJW

Tha_Rooster · 08-06-2016, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Vagabond

When you are off-grid, do you run your propane water heater 24 hours a day, or just when you need hot water for showers

If you don't need it except to shower you could turn it off, I turn mine off anyway at night because I can hear it and a safety thing it is fire.

parkerbill · 08-06-2016, 05:28 AM

If we are running the water heater on propane we turn it on when needed and off when not needed. We do not leave it on 24x7.

twinboat · 08-06-2016, 05:42 AM

We leave our water heater on 24-7. It is gas only unit and we full-time.

wildtoad · 08-06-2016, 06:18 AM

On grid or off grid propane wh only only when needed or when I forget to turn it off. On in the morning and stays warm enough for normal use rest of the day. Back on when doing dishes or shower then back off again.

KPFulltimers · 08-06-2016, 06:36 AM

Propane on only when needed.

That said, we time showers etc. in conjunction with generator runs to recharge batteries with electric side of hot water heater on during that time to do most of the work.

This minimizes propane use and I don't think it uses that much if any extra gas with this additional load on the genny.

vsheetz · 08-06-2016, 06:44 AM

Previous coaches were tank heaters, current coach is tankless. Treat both pretty much the same. Mostly turn on when needed, but if sometimes overlooked to turn off not a biggie. Love the tankless. Have had one in the sticks and bricks for 10 plus years. Huge gas savers, especially for low usage scenarios.

Old Scout · 08-06-2016, 06:58 AM

While off the grid when dry camping or when we need to "manage" amp load at older campgrounds--we leave it on 24/7. But technically, its not "on" all the time. Its thermostatically controlled and pretty well insulated so hot water stays hot in the tank when not being used. The vast majority of those with RV fridges are probably wondering what the danger with propane is, or for that matter, those with gas water heaters at home?????? Appreciate the need to be careful about these sort of things, but not to be scared.

dieselclacker · 08-06-2016, 07:06 AM

Propane when needed, electric side is always on for the times the generator is in use

OLYLEN · 08-06-2016, 09:09 AM

Off grid we run the Gen in the morning for coffee and breakfast plus recharge batteries and along with this the hot water is also heated. If showering right away the gas is turned on also so by time we are fully awake it's shower time. Run the Gen again in the evening and the electric side is on again as we get the evening news or snatch a movie. If we are just staring an outing or moving that day the water is also heated by the motor, this especially when in cold weather. During the day water heater is off but stays warm enough to have a hot hand wash.

LEN

Pepper2 · 08-06-2016, 10:06 AM

On and off as needed. Primarily off. We fire it up approx. 10 min. before showering. Jerry, our Winnebago heats the water tank while driving so when we stop for the night the first shower water is already heated. Not sure if your Itasca is the same though.