Is an electric water heater suitable for an RV? (1 Viewer)

[Jessie8033]

When traveling, water is often needed for activities like cooking and washing. I have noticed that many RVs install gas water heaters. However, I want to use hot water inside the RV, so is installing an electric water heater suitable?

 

[Tombola]

Electric to heat the water uses a lot of energy, so is only really suitable.for if using camp sites with electrical hook up. Lots of motorhomes have a truma(or other make) which are combination of gas and electric , gas when not plugged in, electric for when you are.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[funflair]

Of you mean only electric and no gas for water heating then that will only work if you can plug the RV into a power supply or you have your own generator (noisy smelly and not very popular on camping areas).

 

[Lenny HB]

Can be done it you have a large Lithium battery bank and plenty of solar to recharge it.
Have a look at this thread.

How long can I keep hot water hot?

I have bought a 12 volt 300 watt water heater. It has two separate elements and I intend to connect one to the solar controller to utilise excess solar, and the other connected to the leisure batteries switched on only when driving to use the alternator. I wil only heat 10 or 12 litres at a time...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[funflair]

Can be done it you have a large Lithium battery bank and plenty of solar to recharge it.
Have a look at this thread.

How long can I keep hot water hot?

I have bought a 12 volt 300 watt water heater. It has two separate elements and I intend to connect one to the solar controller to utilise excess solar, and the other connected to the leisure batteries switched on only when driving to use the alternator. I wil only heat 10 or 12 litres at a time...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Can be done but not reliably

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[eddie]

I have electric heating and or gas heating, and electric and or gas water heating in my Winnebago

When you say “RV” are you thinking about an American or European motorhome as the equipment will be fundamentally different, my Winnebago for example can use all this in the middle of nowhere off grid as Winnebago also install a 5Kw Onan gas generator and we also have a lot of Solar and Lithium

Gas is the best universal way to heating lots of hot water

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

If the weather is playing ball ( ie the sun is shining) a simple solar camp shower bag is very effective, but not as convenient as hot water on demand.
Mike.

 

[MisterB]

There are lots of reasons why electric only water heaters are not common, but if you have thought it through and considered those reasons, but still believe an electric only water heater is your best option, then it's your money, your choice!
I personally wouldn't go with an electric only water heater.

 

[PP Bear]

Hi, from your Avatar it says your in Hong Kong, with vastly different types and styles of motorhomes, some of which look brilliant. Does the motorhome market not cater for gas water heaters and only electric, can you tell us more about what type of motorhome you want/have and what type of systems are likely to be fitted.

Oh and a warm welcome too

 

[Lenny HB]

Winnebago also install a 5Kw Onan gas generator

So you use gas to make electricity to heat the water.

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[olley]

Eddie said if you're stuck in the middle of nowhere, you can run the Genny to run all your appliances. But you would still heat water with gas as it's a more efficient use of gas.
I'm in our RV on a full service pitch here at Burrs park.
So I can have a nice long shower without it going cold, I use both.

 

[Carpmart]

I use only solar generated electric for our hot water now! Our traveling profile and location helps with this. Morning showers are not always good (hot), but evening showers are great!

It utilises excess solar output when available, to always be heating the water (obviously to a set max temp)

 

[VXman]

Hi, from your Avatar it says your in Hong Kong, with vastly different types and styles of motorhomes, some of which look brilliant. Does the motorhome market not cater for gas water heaters and only electric, can you tell us more about what type of motorhome you want/have and what type of systems are likely to be fitted.

Oh and a warm welcome too

I lived in Hong Kong for 3 years. Never saw a RV/Motorhome. I never even drove a car there. Not really great for motorhomes - for one the roads and also nowhere to go that you cant get to on a bus or train in 90 mins. Also Kong Kong is made up of many islands so travel would be restricted. I suppose the only possibility is if you were a Chinese national and could cross the border to mainland China.

 

[eddie]

So you use gas to make electricity to heat the water.

And simultaneously charge my Lithiums at 120 amps, run Lyn's hairdryer, run the TV's, charge both eBikes, boil the kettle and a myriad of other things

In effect have hook up in the wilderness!