If the electric water heater element were to burn out would it affect the gas water heater function given the unit is one? Would I have to replace the whole thing? Is it safest to stick with propane only given its $270 increase if one wants the electric model add-on? Seems like you can buy a lot of propane with $270, but I do like the idea of plugging in at the on-grid parks. Is the electric water heater a risky choice in your experience? Has it paid off? Thanks
Fri, 07/29/2016 - 19:13
#1
gas/electric water heater
I’m pretty close to 100% sure if it is only the electric element burning out that then the gas side will still work fine. But the element is easy enough to replace so no worries.
If I had it to do over again, I might have not even have ordered the water heater. And if I did, I would get the gas/electric one. For me, I don’t expect to use the water heater at all except on rare occasions. If boondocking, I would be too conservative with water to use it (although it does give you more water storage). Instead I would heat small amounts of water on the stove as needed. If I had full utilities then I might use the water heater, and I would appreciate the option of electric heating at no additional cost for running the heater (even full time instead of only as needed).
I am considering one of these add on items to have electric water heating on my gas only model but so far I don’t really feel the need for it (or for the water heater itself). It heats the water slower than the optional gas/electric water heater on electric.
Water Heater Mod
Olive,
No, if your Electric Element goes out it does not effect the operation of your Propane water heating. As you noted, the Electric portion of your Water Heater is an Element which operates independently from the Propane water heating system.
You are also correct, in that it would take a lot of Electric usage to save enough money to justify the price difference.
As noted in the previous discussion, the Electric Element will probably need to be replaced and that creates an ongoing maintenance issue for you in the future. The Electric Element can be replaced without replacing the whole water heater.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Everybody has different needs/reasons and no two trailers are usually equipped the same. It depends on knowing your camping style as to how you outfit a trailer to fit your needs. Part of what makes this hobby so special! For us, we camp off the grid quite a bit so we had no interest paying that big difference for the gas/electric water heater and went propane only. If your camping consists of going to parks with utilities then it might be a consideration.
The gas/electric one I've had in the past the element was burnt out from previous owner leaving the switch on with tank empty so I replaced the element which wasn't easy because lines were in the way and had to be removed to reach it, fired it up and it still didn't work on electric. Checked the fuses did some rudimentary troubleshooting and figured I didn't want the electric working bad enough to figure out why it didn't work. For us the $270 price difference will never be made up since a water heater doesn't use much propane at all and half the time they end up not working on electric.
To confirm the Propane still works on the water heater if the electric doesn't. However, if you paid for $270 the gas/electric and the electric quits working you will still be able to heat water with propane but you'll be kicking things.
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Do pilot lights get blown out easy in the wind when using propane? My guess is the electric would take longer to heat up water at a higher cost, so maybe we'll just stick with propane only.
Gordon said: If boondocking, I would be too conservative with water to use it (although it does give you more water storage).
This is an interesting idea, but how would you be able to use the water stored in the heater? The only way to empty it that I know is the drain plug, which is not very convenient. Why not a water bladder?
-Paul
2004 Scamp 19 Deluxe,
2021 Tacoma, Double Cab, 6 cyl. 4WD
Colorado