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T_bone1's avatar
T_bone1
Explorer II
Nov 05, 2014

Water heater

Our used motorhome came to us with an electric\gas water heater..Problem is the electric part is a HOT ROD add on,with an extension cord that has to be plugged in around front of the kitchen cabinet..I talked to my rv guy today and he said that he could put in a real gas\electric water heater for $1000.00!!!I believe not, I can get a water heater from PPL for $334.00 incl.shipping ..I believe this is a job I van probably do my self..Hard part will be running a piece of romex from breaker panel and installing switch...Any tips will be appreciated!!And ,I might add,the HOT ROD performs very poorly,takes a long time to heat up!!
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  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Nov 05, 2014
    Hi,

    If the hot rod device meets your needs just run some romex and use a switch.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Nov 05, 2014
    wildtoad wrote:
    Our wh also has the Hott Rod add on element and we have no complaints for normal daily usage. If we are both going to take a bath, we turn on the gas side of things for quicker recovery, then turn the gas back off when done. It is a low wattage element which for us is good as less chance of throwing a breaker.

    PO had it installed. we were lucky in that the element plugs into the same receptacle as the fridge. Our only issue with the Hott Rod is that it makes draining the wh a bit harder.


    yep I had one on my Bounder and it was exactly as you state. I had an electrical outlet close to the water heater door so just ran my cord to that when hooking up. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
    bumpy
  • DSDP_Don's avatar
    DSDP_Don
    Explorer
    Nov 05, 2014
    If you're going to run romex for a new water heater, why not just run romex to a switch in an interior cabinet near the water heater and then romex to the heater. Route it into the heater near the edge of the water heater box.
  • wildtoad's avatar
    wildtoad
    Explorer II
    Nov 05, 2014
    Our wh also has the Hott Rod add on element and we have no complaints for normal daily usage. If we are both going to take a bath, we turn on the gas side of things for quicker recovery, then turn the gas back off when done. It is a low wattage element which for us is good as less chance of throwing a breaker.

    PO had it installed. we were lucky in that the element plugs into the same receptacle as the fridge. Our only issue with the Hott Rod is that it makes draining the wh a bit harder.
  • Dick_B's avatar
    Dick_B
    Explorer
    Nov 05, 2014
    I'm no expert but be sure the replacement WH will fit in the same space and have the electric/gas connections in the same place also to avoid wiring/piping problems. All water heaters are not the same...

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