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Old 06-08-2012, 09:26 AM   #1
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I have been using electricfor the water heater since buying my Zinger and first TT last year. But when I was camping this last weekend someone told me that I should run it on LP because running it on electric all the time will burn up my circuit broard. Has anyone ever hear of this? When I switched it over to gas and went out this weekend it was leaking water out of the pressure valve. I had to relieve some of the pressure to get it to stop leaking and the gas to finally be able to heat up the water. What do most o you run your water heaters on?

Thanks, Danny
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Old 06-08-2012, 09:35 AM   #2
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Sorry I never heard that ... I use electric when in campgrounds with hook ups.



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Old 06-08-2012, 09:50 AM   #3
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That fellow probably had a unit go bad while using it on electric and he "assumed" that was the reason. I always run on electric in campgrounds and only run gas once in a while. Have not had a problem in 6 years with it. Pressure valves sometimes do leak. I replaced the valve and no more issues. You can also try draining some water out of the tank (water turned off to camper) and then refill the tank to create an air bubble in the top of the tank. This might stop the dripping. I installed an expansion tank which also stopped the dripping.



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Old 06-08-2012, 10:15 AM   #4
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I generally use electric. It is normally cheaper than Lp gas.
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Old 06-08-2012, 11:30 PM   #5
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We have used the water heater for a total of almost a year between this and last year. It is ALWAYS on electric. It was made for use that way. There is more maintenance required if you constantly use propane.
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Old 06-09-2012, 12:03 AM   #6
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Ditto the above.
Been using electricfor hot water heater in my 2006 cruiser...no problems.
The electric is paid for in my site fee....why not use it.
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Old 06-09-2012, 12:58 AM   #7
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x2 on getting in that air bubble and adding an expansion tank(which i haven't done yet).. It helps a lot with the drips. I think even in the manual it states this. Or i read it someplace in my RV's Paperwork. Mine drips on occasion when on propane and i have changed my pressure valve also. In my opinion i would like to look for lower temp thermistors. Like 120. 140 is way to "HOT".

I use electric any time i am not running the ac. Because it draws about heat runs about 10 amps, Plus the ac running it draws 12 amps.. That is 22 total out of my 30amps total. So i flip between gas and electric heat often because i can trip that main 30 amp breaker often if i am not careful. Especially the microwave can changed my thinking in a second watching my amp meter.






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Old 06-09-2012, 02:08 AM   #8
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;od points Dan, thanks for the advice...I normally run on electric all the time too, used Gas once just to make sure it worked properly. But, we haven't had to use A/C yet this year believe it or not...I have run it just to test it and make sure it worked, but other than that have not needed it. Oh, did I mention we'll be in the 90's the next few days LOL.

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Old 06-09-2012, 05:00 AM   #9
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It appears that I'm bucking the trend here, because I always run the WH on propane. I do it because, I like the faster recovery with propane and secondly, I have a extra 10 amps of power available at all times especially when the A/C is running.
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Old 06-09-2012, 10:08 AM   #10
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When I am camping on short trips I use the electric. When I spend 4 months in Texas I switch the Water heater and the frig to gas. LP is a lot cheaper in Texas. When you camp for extended stays you have to pay the electric and the LP works out to be cheaper.



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Old 06-09-2012, 11:21 AM   #11
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Electric...always....never a problem.
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Old 06-09-2012, 12:08 PM   #12
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Thanks for all the help. I have been using the electric all the time since like everyone said the electric is paid for on my site, and the sitesI travel to.I may start using the LP on occasion since I never really thought about the draw of the A/C and water heater together. I know most of the time I try not to even run the microwave and the A/C at the same time. But as far as burning out the circuit board it must of just been a coincidence.

Thank again, Danny
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Old 06-09-2012, 12:27 PM   #13
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Well I guess Im a little backwards. I also use the electric, but just before I take a shower I flip on the propane also. Makes sure recovery is fast and by using the propane some, I know it will be working when ever I dry camp. After I get out of the shower though, I switch it off. So, I use both unless Im dry camping then of course I use the propane.
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Old 06-10-2012, 12:04 AM   #14
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B-O-G-U-S! The water heater in this Cruiser runs with the a/c very frequently....like right now. Last summer we were volunteers at a state park in North Texas for seven months. The weather set a record for 110 days with temps over 100 degrees. Never once did the breaker trip because of water heater a/c overload. Microwave/ac yes. We are workcamping this year for at least as long in the Dallas Metroplex and have no issues. It is already in the upper 90's. The only time I run the water heater on propane is if three people want to take consecutive showers. Even then electric is usually sufficient.
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Old 06-10-2012, 12:17 AM   #15
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Papa-T - You use both heat sources at once? We have often kept the electric on (when attached to 30amp service), and then just before showering switched to gas for the faster return. We always thought, without any real reason, that it was either not possible or not a wise idea, to have both heat sources on.
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Old 06-10-2012, 12:21 AM   #16
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We have run both simultaneously if the need is there.



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Old 06-10-2012, 01:38 AM   #17
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I have also run both sources at the same time, but only to try it. I have run a/c, water heater on electric, and microwave at same time with no problems. Maybe the difference is whether you have 50 amp service or 30 amp service. I have 50 amp service and never really think about what we run.
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Old 06-10-2012, 06:21 AM   #18
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We use gas when dry camping, and electric everywhere else. If we have see lots of hot water recently I will run gas and electric at the same time. Limitless hot water.
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Old 06-10-2012, 07:15 AM   #19
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2X with above. Both at once. Especially if several are taking showers one after the other.
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Old 06-10-2012, 11:17 PM   #20
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Wasstopped at camp yesterday. 90 degrees.. I walked in and all the power was off.. First thing i didwas flip on the electric waterheat, so i did .. and my meter showed "0" then is shot to15 amps. The fridge is on electric but must have not been on when i did it because the meter showed "0"



Then i flipped on AC.. Now meter showed 27 amps. So that right there consumed just about everything i have to offer at 30 amps.. So if you can get by with the AC and Hot water tank on a 30 amp breaker, Your lucky. If the fridge electric heater kicks in, it will take you over by a few amps but mightnot trip the breaker. My rule of thumb, AC on= don't use electric heat. Because sooner or later my wife will plug somthing in like a hair dryer,microwave or coffee pot, Toaster and trip the breaker.



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