electric water heater?

[diane]

Does anyone know anything about or use an electric water heater? I've seen some with a 2.5 or 4 gal. tanks that run on 110. Seems like it would be an easier instillation since propane does not need to be hooked up. Thanks :W

[mike4947]

They also draw apx 15 amps out of your possible 30 amps. Cycle time is much greater than with standard 6 gallon propne water heater. If you've got an air conditioner expect to reset the breaker if the heater and AC are on at the same time, or if you plug in any high use 120 volt item like a hair dryer or microwave.

[AustinBoston]

I agree with Mike.  Use lots of electricity, don't produce much hot water.

If you want a small electric water heater, consider a small commercial coffee maker (without the coffee) that you can set beside the sink.  That way, you can run it when the electricity is available, and turn it off the rest of the time.  Note that this can be a significant safety hazard if you have small children.

Austin

[hoppy]

A fellow from another PU forum installed the 4-gallon Ariston electric water heater (about $ 145.00) at the same time he was modding his Coleman Tacoma, adding a indoor shower to one of his dinette bench seats.

  His first "using it in the field" report of the complete set-up was rather favorable, and that the 4-gallon heater provide just enough supply for him, his wife, and two small children.

 IIRC, he mentioned that he plugged the heater directly to the 20 amp service on the pole using a outdoor extension cord, and the rest of the PU was run using the 30 amp side of the pole.

  But as Mike and Austin stated these electric heaters will gobble up the amps, and will restrict you to campsites that have power at the pole. His particular unit pulls 13 amps.

  But for dry camping, it's either a built in 6-gallon propane system, or one of those portable Coleman HWOD set-ups.

  Hope this helps.

[diane]

Thanks for the replies, I would never have thought about the coffee maker idea. I really only want hot water for washing dishes. I usually boil the water outside and carry it into the sink area. I made a removable shelf for over my galley which is where I keep my coffee maker. I think that will work out well. One less project

[tlhdoc]

The coffee maker still limits you to camping with hookups.  With the coffee pot you have to be careful that it doesn't spill and someone could get burned.  The Coleman Hot Water on Demand system allows you to have instant hot water and with out being plugged in to an electric site.  The system uses a 1 pound propane tank and has a rechargeable battery.