Water Heater power consumption

[Dalo]

I have a 2003 Alumascape trailer with a 6 gallon water heater. The water heater is powered by propane or 110 volts when connected to electricity. I just bought a 2000w Yamaha generator and it will not operate the water heater. The water heater is an Atwood 6 gallon model GC6A-9E. I can not find any information on watts or amps used by this appliance. Is it unreasonable for me to think that a 2000w genny will power a water heater?

[ken_white]

Dalo wrote:
OP here. My fridge was on propane. I ran the generator for about 1 hour with nothing A/C on (except the converter). Water heater was all original and I have never had any problems with it. I usually do run it on propane but since I just bought this Yamaha 2000w gen I thought I'd give it a try on 110volts. Gen would immediately bog down and sound like it was going to die.
Thanks for all your responses. It looks like I'll be running it on propane when I'm dry camping.

You should be able to easily run the water heater with your generator.

My Honda EU2000i has run water heaters on a few different campers with different manufacturer heaters with no issues.

Is your electric heater element bad?

Take it out and check it for corrosion.

[Dalo]

OP here. My fridge was on propane. I ran the generator for about 1 hour with nothing A/C on (except the converter). Water heater was all original and I have never had any problems with it. I usually do run it on propane but since I just bought this Yamaha 2000w gen I thought I'd give it a try on 110volts. Gen would immediately bog down and sound like it was going to die.
Thanks for all your responses. It looks like I'll be running it on propane when I'm dry camping.

[time2roll]

Better to run the water heat on propane.

[2oldman]

pianotuna wrote:
If the fridge and water heater are both on, it will not be able to support the load.

And the converter.

Dalo wrote:
n Atwood 6 gallon model GC6A-9E. I can not find any information on watts or amps used by this appliance.

It's around 1400w. Likely more than your a/c.

[Golden_HVAC]

poncho62 wrote:
Just me, but I think it would be more economical to run the fridge and WH on propane when not on shore power....quieter too

I agree. Unless you "Must" have that extra 3,400 Btu's of heat that the electric element puts out, better to just run the propane 8,800 Btu burner, and leave the electric off, until you are in a hookup campground.

Fred.

[poncho62]

Just me, but I think it would be more economical to run the fridge and WH on propane when not on shore power....quieter too

[2112]

Another vote for Mex.
If his battery is charging and he hit the WH switch it's game over for that genny.

[j-d]

I'd guess Mex's Musings are on target.

Another possibility - Has the Element been Replaced and If So With What? I remember a discussion that went "Why buy an RV element when a Home element is so much less expensive?" It came out that the Home elements might fit but the current draw was too high for what's available in an RV...

[pianotuna]

Hi,

That 2000 only does 1600 watts. If the fridge and water heater are both on, it will not be able to support the load.

My Yamaha 3000 sIEB only does 23.3 amps or about 2600 VA.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

It may have loaded down the generator old-biscuit. The generator may be supplying other hotel loads and adding up to too much load. I am musing the OP is trying to use the generator for 100% plug n play AC operation of his rig.

[Old-Biscuit]

Your water heater uses a 110V AC 1400 Watt bolt on style element (part number #91580)

A few question......
Have you check that the 110V AC circuit breaker for WH isn't tripped?
Did you turn it ON without water in tank....element burnt out?
Did you check for 110V AC power at element?
Did you turn it ON using switch on cover box (backside off WH where element is)?