Adding a Hott Rod to water heater...

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April 15, 2020, 01:33:49 pm

Hi,
Am considering adding a Hott Rod to get hot water electrically.
The RV repair man said the tank is round and the new thermostat would not stick. I watched several utube installs and it looked easy to do and people were happy with the results.
As any one installed a Hott Rod? Any advice? A few hundred dollars over a thousand for a new heater is quite a savings...if it's worth it.
Thanks,
Lynn

Re: Adding a Hott Rod to water heater...

Reply #1 – April 15, 2020, 02:38:30 pm

"Am considering adding a Hott Rod to get hot water electrically."

My 1st question is: Why? Do you not now get hot water by way of the propane burner? Do you think that the Hott Rod will be somehow more advantageous?

Let me relate something from my personal experience... I once owned a hi-quality TT. It came standard with the combo LP/AC hot water heater. I didn't need to concern myself with whether I had hook-ups or not. Everything was automatic. Plug into shore power, had hot water. Dry camp, had hot water. Sweet.

Then I moved up to a LD! I says to Steve Newton, "Can I have the combo water heater? I know the combo will fit in the same space." He says "No." End of story... haven't had the need for the AC option since.

Re: Adding a Hott Rod to water heater...

Reply #2 – April 15, 2020, 03:05:02 pm

Quote from: Delyn - April 15, 2020, 01:33:49 pm

Am considering adding a Hott Rod to get hot water electrically.As any one installed a Hott Rod? Any advice? A few hundred dollars over a thousand for a new heater is quite a savings...if it's worth it

Lynn

Quoting the cost of a new water heater makes me wonder if the water heater inoperative on propane? If so what is the issue?

A Hotrod is only useful when 120-volt shore power is available and used much of the time, best for long-term stays in RV parks or driveway camping.
It draws close to 1500-watts and uses half the power of what a 30-amp hookup can provide, you must be careful not to operate other high usage appliances at the same time, such as the A/C, microwave, electric cooking gear or a space heater.
If installing one, it should preferably have a power switch, most installations require unplugging the Hotrod from the refrigerator's 120-volt plug to deactivate, to allow the use of high wattage appliances.
Having an interior power switch with an indicator light, would be best for convenience.

Larry

Re: Adding a Hott Rod to water heater...

Reply #3 – April 16, 2020, 03:35:45 am

Thank you for your comments. My propane works fine, but having hot water on demand,so to speak, would use lots of propane, and since I am in parks quite often, using electric to heat would be convenient.
The on/off switch is a good idea, so as not to run two big items at same time...which is the case anyway.
Someone suggested running a separate outside extension cord to the electric box to run the water heater, thus not interfering with my system.
It would be nice if LD put in the dual system for hot water.
Your thoughts make more to ponder. Thank you.

Re: Adding a Hott Rod to water heater...

Reply #4 – April 16, 2020, 06:12:34 am

No, Delyn the hot water heater does not use a lot of propane. We boondock and get three weeks from a fillup. We leave the heater on all the time.

Re: Adding a Hott Rod to water heater...

Reply #5 – April 16, 2020, 10:25:01 am

"No, Delyn the hot water heater does not use a lot of propane..."

As Don has said, the propane fired water heater is quite efficient. And if you still have concerns, try this: It only takes 15-20 minutes to bring a full cold tank to thermostat temperature. I typically hit the 'on' switch around day-break, dive back into the feathers for another 30 minute snooze and by that time I hit the 'off' switch and I'm ready to start the day. I have found that there will be enough warm water into the evening when I'm faced with those darned dinner dishes. Try it, I think you'll like it!

Re: Adding a Hott Rod to water heater...

Reply #6 – April 16, 2020, 12:55:33 pm

Delyn-

If one was willing to spend the money, replacing the propane-only with the combo unit should not be that difficult.

Current price for a six-gallon combination unit is $700 (link here). I believe the door is the same on both, so no need to have the new heater's door painted.

Not saying it applies to a 2003 rear-bath, but based on the pictures for the current 27-foot rear-bath, the water heater and the 120V power center are right next to one another. So, the 120V wiring could be very short. I wonder if there is space in the power center for an additional 120V circuit breaker?

DC wiring to choose propane or 120V operation is well-understood. Atwood revised its water heater wiring in 2004, so there may have to be some changes for that, too. One would need to find a convenient place to mount the switch(es).

If you live in the Northeast I might be convinced to help you do the swap.

Our 30A-service SOB (Somebody Else's Brand) motorhome has a combo unit. You get faster heating with both going. We switch to propane-only when we need the 120V for other high-current purposes (e.g., running air conditioner, microwave, toaster, hair dryer, etc. at the same time).

We've recently paid $5.20 a gallon for long-term, on-site propane fills (it takes a lot to move an SOB). That will buy a lot of electricity.

Mark H.

P.S.- If you end up installing a Hott Rod, don't forget to remove it and clean the inside of the water heater (through the drain plug hole) now and then.

Re: Adding a Hott Rod to water heater...

Reply #7 – April 16, 2020, 01:06:26 pm

Quote from: Delyn - April 16, 2020, 03:35:45 am

My propane works fine, but having hot water on demand,so to speak, would use lots of propane, and since I am in parks quite often, using electric to heat would be convenient.
It would be nice if LD put in the dual system for hot water.
The RV repairman said the tank is round and the new thermostat would not stick

What does the shape of the tank have to do with the thermostat? The thermostat doesn't 'stick' to the tank, instead, it is held in position with a spring clip.

We run the water heater in the evening for dishes and showers and leave it off the rest of the day.
As mentioned, it only takes 15 minutes or so to get hot, the water will stay hot for many hours with the heater off and can be used for handwashing.
Water heating doesn't use much propane, our 23.5' LD's propane tank is small, only 7-gallons, half of the longer LDs. We get three weeks or more out of a tank, including running the refrigerator, along with furnace and/or catalytic heater in the morning. Naturally, consumption is greater when camping in cold weather.

To extend the propane supply when turned on for showering, an aquarium thermometer can be installed to monitor the water tank's rising temperature and sound an alarm when the water heater reaches the perfect temperature for showering, which is usually lower than the water heater's normal operating temperature. This eliminates wasting water fumbling with the cold water faucet, to provide a comfortable temperature.
Amazon.com : General Tools AQ150 In and Out Aquarium Thermometer with...

The water heater's set temperature can be lowered with the use of Atwood/s adjustable thermostat. Our tank's temperature is set at about 104 degrees, fine for showering.
Atwood Water Heater Adjustable Electronic Thermostat 93105

LD will not install the dual power water heater simply because the 30-amp electrical system doesn't have the capacity for an electric heater to be constantly be left on and still use any of the other high power appliances. Rigs that have this option usually have 50-amp systems.
The lack of adequate power is why I suggested adding an interior illuminated power switch inside the rig, so not to accidentally overload the electrical system.

Larry

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Re: Adding a Hott Rod to water heater...

Reply #8 – April 16, 2020, 01:18:58 pm

How efficient the water heater is depends partly on which resource is your concern, and the location of water heater. For our front lounge, to get to the kitchen sink, the water from the heater must pass under the floor from the other side of the rig. To get to the bath sink or shower, it must continue on from mid-rig to the back wall, then on over to the other side of the rig again. To use hot or warm water occasionally wastes a large amount of water - a more precious resource when boondocked than the propane used.

For showers, we have no choice, but we save the water waiting for warmup. For everything else, we pour boiling water into a hyper-efficient 2-liter thermos, and mix that with cold water as needed during the day. Since the water stays super hot, very little is needed at a time.

Steve

Re: Adding a Hott Rod to water heater...

Reply #9 – April 16, 2020, 01:38:03 pm

Quote from: Steve - April 16, 2020, 01:18:58 pm

For showers, we have no choice, but we save the water waiting for warmup.

Having the same model LD as Steve, we recover the water wasted, while waiting for the shower to get hot, in a teapot and use it for morning coffee.
Nothing needs to go to waste.

Larry

Re: Adding a Hott Rod to water heater...

Reply #10 – April 16, 2020, 01:57:46 pm

Ditto on the thermos bottle. After making coffee using the pour over method, I decant the remaining hot water in the thermos for washing my hair. Takes less water with every passing year.

I can get my hair squeaky clean with less than a quart of water.

For Navy showers, I do as Larry does and use the saved water throughout the day for multiple purposes.

Kent

Re: Adding a Hott Rod to water heater...

Reply #11 – April 16, 2020, 04:05:28 pm

"Ditto on the thermos bottle."

Thermos & Co. are your friends. When traveling and heating water for coffee in the morning, an additional quart of very hot water goes into a pre-heated vacuum bottle. This is enough throughout the day for brushing teeth, using the water pik, and any other warm-water use required.

I've thought about, but not put into practice, filling a push pump coffee server for this purpose.

I make myself a quart of coffee in the morning and sip on it all day from a vacuum bottle.

I pre-cook brown rice, quinoa, bulgur, split peas, barley, and lentils for soups in a vacuum bottle by soaking them with boiling water for a couple of hours in my trusty vacuum bottle. It will remain happy and ready to eat for several hours.

At meal time, soup is almost instant . . . sauté some veggies (fresh or leftover) and meat, if desired. Add water or broth, bring it all to a boil and add the pre-cooked grains. A bit of fresh, canned, or jarred salsa adds a wonderful fillip to this mixture.

Actually, quinoa is done quite nicely totally on its own; ready to serve as soon as all of the water has soaked up.

The only real failure I have had with this method is white rice. It turned into white glom!   ***Gleck!***

Having a nicely soaked-up batch of something really nutritious to use as a base for the evening meal, is most welcomed at the end of a busy travel or adventure day! Some additional pre-prepared items makes this a no-brainer answer to "What's for dinner?" queries.

   Virtual hugs,

   Judie

Re: Adding a Hott Rod to water heater...

Reply #12 – April 16, 2020, 08:31:16 pm

Delyn, We've used a Hotrod for years, in the '94 MB and in our current '06 RB. Works great! When we ordered the '06 we had a "switch" put in for it. It's a small round red toggle switch below the oven. We usually stay in RV parks to have power. Always have hot water and it's quiet. As time goes by, we eventually hear what sounds like a distant tea kettle getting ready to "sing". That's hard water deposits on the Hotrod. Hubby removes the Hotrod and cleans off the deposits, then replace it and we're back in business.

Juli W
Minden, NV

Re: Adding a Hott Rod to water heater...

Reply #13 – April 16, 2020, 10:40:26 pm

"The only real failure I have had ...is white rice. It turned into white glom!"

In the culinary world is this the stuff they refer to as "Sticky Rice"?

Re: Adding a Hott Rod to water heater...

Reply #14 – April 16, 2020, 11:24:46 pm

"In the culinary world is this the stuff they refer to as "Sticky Rice"?

"

It was more like "cement rice" - gross!

Rice is so nice; this was a culinary abomination!

Virtual hugs,

Judie

Re: Adding a Hott Rod to water heater...

Reply #15 – April 16, 2020, 11:46:09 pm

Hmmm...Just like playing bridge. A jump shift from Hott Rod to Thermos to sticky rice. Oh, how our minds wander during sequestration.

Chris

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April 15, 2020, 01:33:49 pm

Reply #1 – April 15, 2020, 02:38:30 pm

Reply #2 – April 15, 2020, 03:05:02 pm

Reply #3 – April 16, 2020, 03:35:45 am

Reply #4 – April 16, 2020, 06:12:34 am

Reply #5 – April 16, 2020, 10:25:01 am

Reply #6 – April 16, 2020, 12:55:33 pm

Reply #7 – April 16, 2020, 01:06:26 pm

Reply #8 – April 16, 2020, 01:18:58 pm

Reply #9 – April 16, 2020, 01:38:03 pm

Reply #10 – April 16, 2020, 01:57:46 pm

Reply #11 – April 16, 2020, 04:05:28 pm

Reply #12 – April 16, 2020, 08:31:16 pm

Reply #13 – April 16, 2020, 10:40:26 pm

Reply #14 – April 16, 2020, 11:24:46 pm

Reply #15 – April 16, 2020, 11:46:09 pm

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