Forum Discussion

airtrooper's avatar
airtrooper
Explorer
Jun 20, 2015

Installing Tankless WH w/dedicated electrical Power

Been thinking about installing a tankless water heater in my TT; it currently has a 6-gal Electric/Propane water heater that works when it wants (replaced an old last year) not sure why; kinda fed up with it; so I been thinking that maybe a tankless would work better; I am concerned about the AMP draw with the AC & refrig running, so I was thinking that maybe I would just install an outlet on the outside of the RV that when plug in would just fed the tankless;

What is the holes in my thinking :h

20 Replies

Show More
  • airtrooper's avatar
    airtrooper
    Explorer
    Jun 21, 2015
    I have a Suburban SW6DEM Gas Electric Water Heater with Motor Aided Spark Ignition - 6 Gallon - I push a switch in the (ROO 25S - 2005) camper and it is supposed to come on - most of the time nothing happens. Children have the camper out camping right now; daughter just heats water on the stove to wash dishes; they use the showers at the campground, but I just hate when things don't work the way they should.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jun 21, 2015
    airtrooper wrote:
    I should have mentioned - I just replaced the water heater last year with a new one ($500) and it, as did the old one, works when it wants to; not really sure why - I have a 30AMP TT


    What Brand/Model of water heater?

    What does it do.......such as has spark/no flame, no spark, lites flame but doesn't stay lit etc.

    They are not complicated
    Most times it is simple things and cheap to fix.

    Cleaning goes a long way for proper functioning.

    Tells us about the problems and you might just get answers that make it work.
  • airtrooper's avatar
    airtrooper
    Explorer
    Jun 21, 2015
    I should have mentioned - I just replaced the water heater last year with a new one ($500) and it, as did the old one, works when it wants to; not really sure why - I have a 30AMP TT
  • Dick_B's avatar
    Dick_B
    Explorer
    Jun 21, 2015
    Have you been reading the posts on tankless? IMHO just replacing the existing WH is better.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jun 21, 2015
    Hi T/B.,

    'This is a 240V/11KW/60Hz whole home water heater that is easy to install as it simply wires {requires 6 gauge AWG (American Wire Gauge) copper wire} into a 240V breaker (min required one 50 Amp breaker'

    I repeat, you would need a second power source.

    Tom/Barb wrote:
    pianotuna wrote:
    Hi,

    Would need a 50 amp service for the water heater and a 2nd power pedestal to run the RV.
    no, but you will be required to re-wire the 30 amp coach to a 50 amp coach.
  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Jun 21, 2015
    pianotuna wrote:
    Hi,

    Would need a 50 amp service for the water heater and a 2nd power pedestal to run the RV.
    no, but you will be required to re-wire the 30 amp coach to a 50 amp coach.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jun 20, 2015
    Hi,

    Would need a 50 amp service for the water heater and a 2nd power pedestal to run the RV.
  • diveman52's avatar
    diveman52
    Explorer
    Jun 20, 2015
    Small 120 volt tankless water heaters are good for under sink use.
    I don't think you could take a shower with it.
    I have wired a lot of them.
    Only one we ever used to a shower was over 6000/240 volts watts if I remember correctly.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jun 20, 2015
    No hot water if no AC power

    Tankless have good/bad reviews for RV use.
    Lack of proper flow seems to be a big issue.

    For me tankless for S&B
    Propane (electric ) for RVng

    Over the many years of camping/RVng I have had few problems with WH, Fridges, Furnaces etc.
    And when I did I found them easy to fix

About DIY Maintenance

RV projects you can tackle on your own with a few friendly pointers.4,375 PostsLatest Activity: Jun 17, 2025