Electric Water Heater Mod

[runner421]

Just an FYI for those of you with a propane only water heater.
You might be interested in a Camco 11673 Hot Water Hybrid Heat Kit.
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-11673-...=1466642553&sr=8-1&keywords=camco+hybrid+heat
I just installed this in a propane only 4-gallon suburban water heater on a truck bed camper.
It's relatively easy and works like a charm.
It does require removing the anode rod and replacing it with a fitting with the heating element running through it, secured by a brass compression fitting. Only 400-watts so it won't draw too much power with an adjustable thermostat.
I'm pleased with the results and can save my propane for cooking.

 

[PaintyLiz]

How neat! Mine is AC/propane, but good to know how to modify a propane model! Very clever!

 

[Dakota 1120]

The 6 gallon Suburban water heater in mine is propane or electric although I've never run it on electric.

Maybe one of these days I try the electric mode to see if it works too.

 

[John_C]

The 6 gallon Suburban water heater in mine is propane or electric although I've never run it on electric.

Maybe one of these days I try the electric mode to see if it works too.

Hi Eagle,
Mine is just propane... I think... But really, even when cooler weather requires the heater, and the stove is being used for cooking, I have gone for more than a week or 10 days on one 20# bottle. However, I usually turn the HW heater off at night, I don't like hearing the thing light up in the middle of the night... I'll turn it back on in the morning when I put the coffee on and it heats right up. I think the heater is the big gas hog though

 

[PaintyLiz]

The 6 gallon Suburban water heater in mine is propane or electric although I've never run it on electric.

Maybe one of these days I try the electric mode to see if it works too.

We didn't even realize ours was electric for awhile. Then, we realized we had hot water before turning on the gas,!! Of course, shortly after figuring it out, the electricity got connected while the tank was empty and the switch was still on. So the element instantly fried. If this happens to you, don't get an element from the camper store, just go to any hardware store and get one. It's $25-$30 at a camper store, and under $10 at home depot. Simple to replace! So if your heater doest work, that might be the problem.

And don't forget to check and replace your anode rod occasionally, it will make your heater last a lot longer. (Keeps it from rusting)

The advantage to the electric is it's completely quiet, and you're already paying for electricity in your fee so why use your gas?

 

[PaintyLiz]

John c - I would be surprised if you're was only gas, yours is the same year as mine and I think it was standard, ... Maybe. Look and see if there is a little black on/off switch on the heater, kind of on the bottom left. That's the only way I know to tell. It's kind of behind the pipes. If it's on and you don't have hot water without gas, replace the element which is the part that has two wires attached to it, detach the wires, unscrew, pull out, screw in the new one, attach the wires, easy peasy. It is probably burnt in half.

 

[Dakota 1120]

We didn't even realize ours was electric for awhile. Then, we realized we had hot water before turning on the gas,!! Of course, shortly after figuring it out, the electricity got connected while the tank was empty and the switch was still on. So the element instantly fried. If this happens to you, don't get an element from the camper store, just go to any hardware store and get one. It's $25-$30 at a camper store, and under $10 at home depot. Simple to replace! So if your heater doest work, that might be the problem.

And don't forget to check and replace your anode rod occasionally, it will make your heater last a lot longer. (Keeps it from rusting)

The advantage to the electric is it's completely quiet, and you're already paying for electricity in your fee so why use your gas?

Burning out the electric element is why I've never pulled out the little safe lock pin thru the electric mode switch on the water heater...as simple to use it in gas mode. Also, the recover rate in gas mode is far higher than electric.