Forum Discussion

Wijames's avatar
Wijames
Explorer
Mar 28, 2015

Switching to "on demand" hot water heater?

I'm thinking about switching to an on damand electric hot water heater in my Motorhome since I only plan to visit full hookup parks. Anyone see any problems with this, I'm sure some of you have done it.
  • DaHose wrote:
    I upgraded my 6 gallon unit with an Instant Heat kit (only 450watts) and it works great. If you upgrade to a modern 10 gallon water heater with a 1500+ element rod I'm guessing you would be very happy.

    Jose

    Could you tell me what brand unit you added? Someone else at the dealership had mentioned doing that as well.
  • rv2go wrote:
    Wijames wrote:

    Actually I was looking at one yesterday at a local RV dealership thats made for small RV's and draws less than 2.4 kw with a 20 amp breaker.

    Could you give the make and model number? I doubt that 2400 watts will supply very much hot water during contionus use. Then too, most will only raise the temp of incoming water 35 to 40 degrees.

    If you buy, give us a progress report.

    I went back to see it again after reading the posts here and you are right, it says to be effective the incoming water needs to be over 65-70 degrees and it only supplies 1.9 GPH. not nearly enough for a MH. I'm sticking with my gas unit. I had only considdered it because I have an on-demand unit in my home and it does pretty good but after looking at it I see that it draws a lot more current and even has a pre-heater for the water.
  • I upgraded my 6 gallon unit with an Instant Heat kit (only 450watts) and it works great. If you upgrade to a modern 10 gallon water heater with a 1500+ element rod I'm guessing you would be very happy.

    Jose
  • Hi,

    Better to upgrade to a ten gallon electric/propane unit, or add a "hot rod".

    2400 watts = 8192 btu's per HOUR. On an instantaneous heater that's pitifully low.
  • Wijames wrote:

    Actually I was looking at one yesterday at a local RV dealership thats made for small RV's and draws less than 2.4 kw with a 20 amp breaker.

    Could you give the make and model number? I doubt that 2400 watts will supply very much hot water during contionus use. Then too, most will only raise the temp of incoming water 35 to 40 degrees.

    If you buy, give us a progress report.
  • Wijames wrote:

    Actually I was looking at one yesterday at a local RV dealership thats made for small RV's and draws less than 2.4 kw with a 20 amp breaker.


    2.4KW = 2400 watts= 20 AMPS @120VAC. That will usually trip a 20 Amp breaker pretty fast.
  • Dick_B wrote:
    Search this Forum for `on demand' or `tankless' and read on.

    Thanks, I had searched "on-Demand" and didn't find anything but "Tankless" gave lots of info. Looks like sticking with conventional hot water is the way to go.
    Thanks again
  • pianotuna wrote:
    Hi,

    An electric on demand heater will consume all the power available from a 50 amp site.

    Actually I was looking at one yesterday at a local RV dealership thats made for small RV's and draws less than 2.4 kw with a 20 amp breaker.
  • Search this Forum for `on demand' or `tankless' and read on.
  • Hi,

    A useful electric on demand heater will consume all the power available from a 50 amp site.