water heater timer

[qchunter]

In my Iconic TH, my water heater is controlled with a simple switch with a light, probably how all of them come. I would really like a switch that has a timer that controls how long the water heater is on. I tried searching amazon but no luck.

Thanks

[Old-Biscuit]

qchunter wrote:
I will have to time it to see if it shuts off. Sounds like everyone else's shuts off as well.

Thanks everyone

It shuts off otherwise the T&P Relief Valve would BLOW steam/hot water

Suburban t-stats are pre-set for 130*F (normal) and 170*F (high)
Atwood t-stats are pre-set for 140*F (normal) and 180*F (ECO--high)

T&P Relief Valve........210*F/150psi

[qchunter]

I will have to time it to see if it shuts off. Sounds like everyone else's shuts off as well.

Thanks everyone

[Muddydogs]

I have an Iconic 2714SF with gas only water heater. I'm pretty sure I could put ice in my hot water tank and in 20 minutes it would be hot and the burner would shut off. When taking a shower using holding tank water the heater will run at best 10 minutes after the water is shut off. You might want to actually time the unit to see if it's really running that long and if it is then something isn't right and you should get it checked out. It's much easier to have the water heater fixed so it's working correctly then add a timer which is not needed.

If you don't want to leave the water heater on while camping then just turn it off at the rocker switch when not needed. I turn my heater and water pump off when leaving the trailer just incase and turn the water heater off at night so I don't have to listen to it burn while trying to sleep. It took a few times but now I'm in the habit of turning off the switches when I walk out the trailer door and turning them on when I first walk in the door after being gone. First thing I do in the morning is turn on the water heater then make coffee for the wife.

[qchunter]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
T-stats for electric & propane IF separate are pre-set for same temps

Suburban uses separate sets for electric and propane (120V AC set and 12V DC set)
Atwood has used only one set since 2004 for both (12V DC set)

If electric & propane ON/OFF switches are ON.......BOTH will turn on to heat when water temp drops to roughly 110*F


OP doesn't make it clear.....but appears the water heater is propane only.

Sorry, yes it is propane only.

We manly do dispesed camping and don't want to leave the water heater on. I figured it had a t-stat but never really heard it shut off that way. I really only turn on the water heater for showers but sometimes a little while after everyone is done i find it on and hear it heating the water. It would be nice to just heat for 20 mins then have it shut off.

Thanks

[K_Charles]

Go to 12volttimer.com

[fj12ryder]

They already have a timer of sorts, it's called a thermostat. 🙂

[Old-Biscuit]

T-stats for electric & propane IF separate are pre-set for same temps

Suburban uses separate sets for electric and propane (120V AC set and 12V DC set)
Atwood has used only one set since 2004 for both (12V DC set)

If electric & propane ON/OFF switches are ON.......BOTH will turn on to heat when water temp drops to roughly 110*F


OP doesn't make it clear.....but appears the water heater is propane only.

[Dr_Quick]

Most newer trailers have an electric element for the heater, that should handle most need of hot water. It is controlled by a thermostat. The switch for the water heater that lights up, is only telling you that the gas part of the water heater is ready to work if there is a heavy demand for hot water. Usually when you have a shower. You can turn the electric element off, but they gas would have to stay on to get any hot water.
Since most of the time you are at a campground when water heater is on elec, there is no extra charge to you. On gas you have to refill propane tanks more often.
When I am at home and trailer is plugged-in, I turn both the elec. element and the gas off.

[Old-Biscuit]

Is this the ON/OFF switch for the propane for water heater?

Then that switch and circuit is 12V DC.

After water reaches temp the t-stat will shut down propane.....then turn switch off until you want to heat water again.

OR just leave it on...won't use that much propane when hot water is not being used (10 mins reheat/10,000 btu-hr----1000 btu 91,000 btu/gallon propane)

[donn0128]

Why? They do have a temp switch, so they only come on as needed to get and keep the water hot. Same as your home water heater.