Gas/electric water heater

[eltyboy]

Has anyone changed their gas water for a gas/electric combination. We like the electric when we are doing a long term stay as we don't have to pull up to fill the propane tank. The new heater will fit in the existing slot just wondering about the wiring can you put a sub panel in to accommodate a 30 amp breaker, or what are my options.

[powercat_ras]

The main things to look at:

- do you have a place to add a new 15 amp breaker in your RV AC service panel?
- do you have a way to run a 14/2 with ground Romex run from the AC service panel to the HWH?

If yes to those 2 things then other things include low voltage wiring to a 120 volt heater on/off switch that lights up when you have 120 V heat turned on. Chances are you can re-use the existing low voltage wires for the gas HWH on/off/fault switch and the 12 supply and ground.

[Old-Biscuit]

Suburban 6 for 6 or 10 for 10 gallon ......same opening

Atwood 6 for 6 or 10 for 10 gallon....same opening


Suburban uses 120V AC directly for the electric element and 12V DC for propane

Atwood uses 12V DC for ON/OFF switches, circuit board controls for electric/propane function and to trigger a relay for the 120V AC for electric element

Both would need a 15A Circuit Breaker and 120V AC wiring run to WH
Atwood would need a little bit of modification to DC circuit (some additional wiring)

Both are doable........easy if you understand AC/DC Electrical and can read wiring schemes which can be found on-line

Which Brand of WH do you currently have?

[eltyboy]

I don't have the motorhome yet, we sold our Jayco class c and purchased this unit. We wanted the room of a class a. One of the features that we liked on our Jayco was the two choice water heater. Thanks for the help.

[zogthegreat]

Hi eltyboy,

I installed a Camco 11673 Hot Water Hybrid Heat Kit:

Amazon.com: Camco 11673 Hot Water Hybrid Heat Kit - 6 Gallon: Automotive

It took me about 20 - 30 minutes to install. It's designed to be plugged into the outlet in the bathroom, but I have it hard wired into the back of the electric plug. I'm planning to run a wire to the fuse box and install a 15a fuse this summer.

Down in Florida it worked great, I could take a 20 minute shower if I wanted to. Right now I'm in the mountains north of Montreal, Canada, and the water from outside is fairly cold, so I only get about 5 - 10 minutes of hot water, it gets warm(ish) after that.

I have no real complaints about it, not much you can down about ice cold water from the city hookup, (it actually snowed here on the 16th of May! ). And it was cheaper than a new heater.