Why should you use the RV/travel trailer water heater? An RV/travel trailer water heater will support you relish hot water when you travel.
They look like a residential water heater, but some points are different. To use an RV/travel trailer water heater longer, you need to know the RV/travel trailer water heater operation, maintenance, and other parts about the water heater. Here are some aspects you can pay attention to.
An overview of the RV/travel trailer water heater
An RV/travel trailer water heater is smaller than a residential heater. It has a storage container capacity of 6 to 10 gallons.
Nonetheless, there are also up to 16-gallon heaters. The fact is that these units can have a 10-gallon tank and heat the water to a higher temperature. Then, the hot water is mixed with cold, and you enable to get about 16 gallons of hot water (up to 1000°C).
Though the RV/travel trailer water heater is a bit expensive unit, the non-tank water heaters are becoming common on the RV/travel trailer market nowadays.
You do not only enjoy an endless supply of hot water but also your monthly electricity bill will be reduced with a tiny amount of fossil fuel.
A traditional RV/travel trailer heater will consume more fossil fuel because it keeps the water in the tank hot with cycling on and off.
However, a non-tank heater will only operate when using fuel while you need hot water. The amount of fuel (mostly propane) is decreased because of fewer tank refills when you need hot water only.
Prepare before using the RV/travel trailer water heater
Before using the RV/travel trailer water heater for the first place, you need to ensure the water heater operation like the device is filled with enough water. To do this, you should read the manufacturer’s manuals for filling the water and maintain it for the while.
Please bear in mind that you need to drain the water heater when you do not use it; especially when you have the travel plan or in the cold season.
Or you also need to do this when putting your motorhome or trailer in a storage area for the closed season.
How to operate the RV/travel trailer water heater
Although the RV/travel trailer water heater has different models and brands, most RVs/travel trailers have the same steps that you are able to apply to your unit.
- Step 1: You need to check the water heater bypass valve.
- Step 2: You should open it and let the water flow into the tank.
- Step 3: Connect the RV/travel trailer to a water outlet and utilize the onboard pump to begin pumping water.
- Step 4: Switch on the hot water tap.
- Step 5: The water will start to flow via the lines in the heating container.
- Step 6: You finally fill it to its line and your water heater will be ready to use.
In my opinion, the RV/travel trailer water heater operation is a piece of cake to overcome for anyone. Nevertheless, you should know the function and the maintenance of your RV/travel trailer to keep it longer. This also cut down the money waste in your budget from the electricity bill and the maintenance cost as well.
Recognize the main types of the RV/travel trailer water heater
In general, the RV/travel trailer water heater has 3 major categories with its available power kinds.
Electric mode
The electric mode is suitable for shore electricity or a generator power with 120v, but it requires around 12 amps of electricity. This is a good point to select LP Gas Mode when the energy is limited.
You also need to identify your RV/travel trailer’s shore power wiring and the outlet power accessible for the RV to plug in (about 30A). This is because you enable to modify your RV to LP Gas Mode or turn the water heater off in a short period of time.
Manual pilot light
With novices, a manual pilot light is a great option. This unit is one of the most standard models in the RV/travel trailer water heater market and uses a pilot light. When the pilot light is turn off, the Pilot Control also switch off and gas cannot flow. This process prevents possible incidents from the LP gas leaking.
The pilot light should not open because the wind blows and the light also turns off while traveling. The process spends about 20 minutes to make hot