water heater on minnie winnie 22r

As a newbie, there are things now that you will be skeptical about, dumping the sewage, using the water pump, maybe figuring out the battery charging, but after awhile these things will be routine. Using gas while driving is still debated but we do because we leave the fridge on gas. We only turn the hot water heater on when we need hot water and it does stay warm overnight.
Owner's manuals leave out a LOT. I bought a general maintenance RV book and browse through it occasionally as well as look up individual components when I have an issue to solve.
Have a great camping season in your NEW RV! You will learn as you go.
You can buy an add on for the water heater that will use electricity for your gas heater. Last I looked they were about $250. I think you can then use either? Not sure about that.

Mich F wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:

Just curious, What is your definition of 'manual' ?

I believe Jopopsy was agreeing with my suggestion that the OP read the owner's manual ;)

I was !!! :S

Mich F wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:

Just curious, What is your definition of 'manual' ?

I believe Jopopsy was agreeing with my suggestion that the OP read the owner's manual ;)

RE: 'Owners' manual
vs
RE: manual

Got it!

Old-Biscuit wrote:

Just curious, What is your definition of 'manual' ?

I believe Jopopsy was agreeing with my suggestion that the OP read the owner's manual ;)

Jopopsy wrote:

Mich F wrote:
I'd suggest you get acquainted with your owner's manual, which in the case of Winnebago/Itasca is quite comprehensive. They copy the literature from the manufacturers of each component, and add it to their manuals. More than likely your water heater is gas only.

From the specification page on the Minni Winnie web site you have a

6-gallon LP water heater w/electronic ignition

RE: manual - yep
RE: Gas only - yep

:)

Just curious, What is your definition of 'manual' ?

The 6 gallon propane w/electronic ignition is turn switch ON and WH will self ignite, heat water, turn off when temp reached and refire when temp cools down......only manual thing about it is ON/OFF switch

Mich F wrote:
I'd suggest you get acquainted with your owner's manual, which in the case of Winnebago/Itasca is quite comprehensive. They copy the literature from the manufacturers of each component, and add it to their manuals. More than likely your water heater is gas only.

From the specification page on the Minni Winnie web site you have a

6-gallon LP water heater w/electronic ignition

RE: manual - yep
RE: Gas only - yep

:)

OB's comment "w/electronic ignition, auto spark" means a LOT. The "standing pilot" types are truly a pain. You have to go outside to light them, so the tendency is to leave them on. That wastes a lot of LPG. Often I'd leave ours on only to find it blew out and we didn't have hot water anyway. Yes they sound like a little jet engine, but they don't add up to a lot of LPG when uses the way Mobile Basset suggested.

Standard OEM........6-gallon LP water heater w/electronic ignition

Doesn't seem to be an 'optional' offered so propane only with auto spark.

If your documentation isn't clear, open the cover of the heater, find the Make/Model, and post it here. We can help you find out.

The cheapest water heaters use LPG with a "standing pilot" like many home water heaters. The better ones are DSI (direct spark ignition) where all you have to do is flip a switch inside the coach and it lights itself. That sounds like that MB does above ^^^ and it's what we do when campground power is scarce. Out Suburban offers Electric too, but sometimes we have to conserve power and use a little LPG.

MB's method above is very efficient.

Just as a data point, my 2014 Itasca Spirit 25B has a 6gal propane (only) water heater that is probably the same as yours. It starts easily and heats up very quickly. I wait 15 minutes and then turn it off. I can take one shower and have plenty left for dishes and the rest stays warm for hours. I never leave it on or go away with it on.