gas vs electric

richardcoxid wrote:
Here is a hint when using Gas/Elect simultaneously.

The water temperature when using either Gas or Elect in most models of RV HWHs is controlled by non-adjustable (either on or off) Snap Stats. These are small thermostats about 1/2in in Dia and about 3/8in high exclusive of the push on connector terminals. On a typical RV HWH they are held in contact with the metal tank with a small (about 2in x 2in) piece of black foam tape. Normally the Gas stat will be on the gas burner side of the HWH and the elect stat on the elect heating element side of the HWH.

Carefully remove the tape and record the part numbers of the Gas “stat”. A wholesale electrical supplier or others should be able to cross-reference the “on” temperatures of each. Chose a new “GAS “stat (it’s a small dollar item) that turns “ON” about 10 degrees lower than the elect stat.
Now, when both Gas and Elect are turned “ON” , a small usage of hot water or normal heat loss will cause the elect stat to turn “ON” first (use the CG’s electricity not my propane). If the bulk temp. of the water continues to decrease then the Gas stat will turn “ON” for a very fast recovery time
.
May you have fair winds and following seas!

Disclaimer- BE SAFE!- Be sure to de-energize the 120 VAC and the 12VDC before working on the HWH!

Suburban Brand uses a 120V AC set of t-stats for electric element----come as a fixed pair and are bolted to tank with nut.
Suburban uses a 12V DC set of t-stats for propane.....come as a fixed pair and are bolted to tank with nut

Atwood uses one 12V DC set of t-stats that are held in place with springs with a foam cover for insulation.

Different temp set point t-stat sets are available for Suburban (140*F vs OEM of 130*F)
But with Atwood using same set for both electric and propane that modification not available.

Atwood does have an 'adjustable t-stat' available to replace normal 140*F t-stat. Adjusts from 110*F-150*F but both electric/propane still controlled by it.

Here is a hint when using Gas/Elect simultaneously.

The water temperature when using either Gas or Elect in most models of RV HWHs is controlled by non-adjustable (either on or off) Snap Stats. These are small thermostats about 1/2in in Dia and about 3/8in high exclusive of the push on connector terminals. On a typical RV HWH they are held in contact with the metal tank with a small (about 2in x 2in) piece of black foam tape. Normally the Gas stat will be on the gas burner side of the HWH and the elect stat on the elect heating element side of the HWH.

Carefully remove the tape and record the part numbers of the Gas “stat”. A wholesale electrical supplier or others should be able to cross-reference the “on” temperatures of each. Chose a new “GAS “stat (it’s a small dollar item) that turns “ON” about 10 degrees lower than the elect stat.
Now, when both Gas and Elect are turned “ON” , a small usage of hot water or normal heat loss will cause the elect stat to turn “ON” first (use the CG’s electricity not my propane). If the bulk temp. of the water continues to decrease then the Gas stat will turn “ON” for a very fast recovery time
.
May you have fair winds and following seas!

Disclaimer- BE SAFE!- Be sure to de-energize the 120 VAC and the 12VDC before working on the HWH!

GON2SKI wrote:
Good helpful information…thanks! I may have missed ( or possibly forgotten) in my walk thru to ask about the on/off switch behind the exterior water heater panel. Normal position and when to use it?

Suburban Water Heater has an ON/OFF switch for electric element in outside compartment.
(RV mfg. may have installed another one inside)

Switch is used to turn electric heating ON/OFF.

As noted DO NOT TURN ON if no water is in WH Tank.
Element is immersed in the water and will burn out if no water

The exterior on/off switch should be for power to the electric water heater element. I turn ours off when we pack up and disconnect. That just ensures that I don't have an empty hot water tank and the element is still on. No water=very short element life.

Good helpful information…thanks! I may have missed ( or possibly forgotten) in my walk thru to ask about the on/off switch behind the exterior water heater panel. Normal position and when to use it?

Thanks for all the replies and good ideas. My original heater I changed the thermostat and didn't make any difference. So I figured that my 02 Travel Supreme needed a new heater so I got one. Same thing! I will use my electric heater more and just the gas at shower time and see what happens. Again, thanks for the help, I appreciate it!

Us out West wrote:
One or the other...no reason to have both on.

Properly set the electric keeps the water hot, the gas will provide quick recovery, always used both.

dballentine wrote:
Are there separate thermostats for gas and electric? If so, the electric one might be set to a lower temperature than the gas one.

yes, ea has it's own.

Suburban or Atwood.......

BOTH heating sources can be ON at same time. Doesn't hurt anything....faster recovery time.

As for your Suburban.
They use 2 different sets of t-stats.
A 120V AC set for electric
A 12V DC set for propane.

Both should have same pre-set temp settings (normal 130*F and high temp 170*F)
Electric should be just as hot overnight as propane.
Check wire connections on t-stat (left side electric with black wires) and t-stat tight. Dirty/loose connections can affect operation.


Optional 120*F and 140*F t-stats available BUT 120*F hard to find any more.

Are there separate thermostats for gas and electric? If so, the electric one might be set to a lower temperature than the gas one.