Community Forums

mytime · 10-31-2013, 09:17 AM

I have an 07 country coach with the hydro hot, elec and diesel, what I want to do is put a programmal timer on the electrical side, where the on/off switch is located. I haved searched Amazon and found several 12v timers, my question is, has anyone done this that can give me a few pointers, maybe recommend a specific device?

94-Newmar · 10-31-2013, 09:32 AM

I gotta ask... why?

mytime · 10-31-2013, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94-Newmar

I gotta ask... why?

Well we winter in Fl out and away from mh most of the day and in bed most of the night so with the HH one can push the diesel button and have hot water instantally. But with a timer on the elec side one could program it to come on or off as needed, to conserve elec.,since we pay the bill,maybe extend the life of the element also. Hope this explains why!!

Stan.Birch · 10-31-2013, 07:10 PM

While we are in Florida, we have it pretty much down to a science when it comes to heating water with propane. A five minute heating cycle is just the right amount of time needed to heat the tank the exact amount for taking a shower only using the hot water tap, without having to add cold water to the mix.

CampDaven · 10-31-2013, 07:17 PM

Maintaining the hot is not much different than starting from cold. I forget which one is better, but it is not by much.

It is built like a good thermos bottle!

bluepill · 10-31-2013, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CampDaven

Maintaining the hot is not much different than starting from cold. I forget which one is better, but it is not by much.

I don't know about the HH system, but the 12 gallon electric/propane heater in my rig is very poorly insulated and looses a lot of heat when it's in "standby". I leave it off when not in use, and flip it on when needed.

My morning ritual in cool weather is to get up, turn up the house heat and turn on the water heater for cooking and a shower, and fire up Mr. Coffee.

mytime · 11-01-2013, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluepill

I don't know about the HH system, but the 12 gallon electric/propane heater in my rig is very poorly insulated and looses a lot of heat when it's in "standby". I leave it off when not in use, and flip it on when needed.

My morning ritual in cool weather is to get up, turn up the house heat and turn on the water heater for cooking and a shower, and fire up Mr. Coffee.

The HH has an electric element kinda like a SB house, but there is a switch to turn it on and off, I just thought it would be nice to have a timer that would perform that function so we would not forget to shut it off during the day or nite. I am sure there is such a timer available but thought someone may have already done the testing aspect, so I could go from A to B in a straight line.

CampDaven · 11-02-2013, 09:01 AM

How about a trip to Goodwill to get a coffee pot with a timer?

mytime · 11-02-2013, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CampDaven

How about a trip to Goodwill to get a coffee pot with a timer?

Didn't know they had those, is that where you found yours?

CampDaven · 11-02-2013, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mytime

Didn't know they had those, is that where you found yours?

Nope. Just thinking you could wire the timer to the HWH switch. I think it would work, but where to put the little timer screen and buttons.

**pasdad1** · 11-02-2013, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mytime

so with the HH one can push the diesel button and have hot water instantally.

So if you are not needing the HH to heat the coach while you are away, just KEEP the 120v electric element off all the time.... No need for a timer.... When you come home and want hot water instantly, the diesel burner will fire up and provide unlimited on-demand hot water. The electric element is more beneficial if the electric is free (or unmetered ) and/ or you need to heat the coach and the outside temps are above 40-50 degrees.

mytime · 11-03-2013, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasdad1

So if you are not needing the HH to heat the coach while you are away, just KEEP the 120v electric element off all the time.... No need for a timer.... When you come home and want hot water instantly, the diesel burner will fire up and provide unlimited on-demand hot water. The electric element is more beneficial if the electric is free (or unmetered ) and/ or you need to heat the coach and the outside temps are above 40-50 degrees.

Thanks for your comment, but that was not my question. I want to use the elec side of the HH and I would like to program it to fit my life style, and then I do not need to turn it on or off, you know like modern convince.

bluepill · 11-03-2013, 03:09 PM

For the application that you mention, a simple switchbox mounted mechanical timer should work well to replace your existing switch. They are available at home centers and online. If your current switch is a standard (home style) one, it will be a straight forward replacement. A little more involved if not.

They are available in different time intervals, and usually are rated for 1800 to 2500 watts. I used one to replace my engine heater toggle switch, so that I can't forget to turn it off.

mytime · 11-03-2013, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluepill

For the application that you mention, a simple switchbox mounted mechanical timer should work well to replace your existing switch. They are available at home centers and online. If your current switch is a standard (home style) one, it will be a straight forward replacement. A little more involved if not.

They are available in different time intervals, and usually are rated for 1800 to 2500 watts. I used one to replace my engine heater toggle switch, so that I can't forget to turn it off.

Yes, I was looking at one on Amazon that had 16 different settings in the program, I can see using 3 or4 for a day, it was a 16amp, not sure what amp rating I need, thought maybe someone had tried this already. Thanks