I have a friend who is an electrician who is familiar with the 12v system and if we decide to do things on our own, he will do that part of the work for us. Otherwise, whatever other individual I choose to do the conversion will be educated on it, I'm sure.
Posted 2008-01-19 8:49 AM (#74785 - in reply to #74610) Subject: RE: Please Assist me in Understanding Power for my Trailer
Expert
Posts: 1283
Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
First off let me say, I'm assuming you know everything. But you sure are making a 4' shortwall complicated. Look at the size difference in the water heater you are considering vs. a propane one. Might want to consider the recovery time with the AC model also. You may think 30-45 minutes with no air is not a problem, but I have been to Texas and 30 minutes with the air off will equate to 2 hours cooling the trailer back down.
Posted 2008-01-19 9:04 AM (#74790 - in reply to #74610) Subject: RE: Please Assist me in Understanding Power for my Trailer
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Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
I have a 8 gallon 120 volt, 1500 watt, water heater and it takes about 2 hours to bring 56 degree water up to 145 degrees. How long would it take propane to recover? 20 minutes?.. Maybe?
Posted 2008-01-19 9:17 AM (#74794 - in reply to #74790) Subject: RE: Please Assist me in Understanding Power for my Trailer
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Posts: 1283
Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
Originally written by retento on 2008-01-19 9:04 AM
I have a 8 gallon 120 volt, 1500 watt, water heater and it takes about 2 hours to bring 56 degree water up to 145 degrees. How long would it take propane to recover? 20 minutes?.. Maybe?
Posted 2008-01-19 2:11 PM (#74825 - in reply to #74783) Subject: RE: Please Assist me in Understanding Power for my Trailer
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Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
Originally written by Mandi/Abby on 2008-01-19 9:15 AM
I do not believe I have to have propane to operate a water heater.
As of now,my plans are for the fridge, microwave, TV and water heater to be 110. My lights and water pump will be 12v.
If you plan on adding an electric hot water heater and hair dryer to your 110 v list, you have far exceeded the capacity of any 30 amp plug and service.
You should read the book previously suggested to get a better idea of how things work in a camper, and what is needed to run them.
Posted 2008-01-20 7:53 PM (#74901 - in reply to #74825) Subject: RE: Please Assist me in Understanding Power for my Trailer
Charter Member
Posts: 251
Location: Holland, Tx
Originally written by gard on 2008-01-19 2:11 PM
If you plan on adding an electric hot water heater and hair dryer to your 110 v list, you have far exceeded the capacity of any 30 amp plug and service.
You should read the book previously suggested to get a better idea of how things work in a camper, and what is needed to run them.
BOL Gard
No plans to add hair dryer. I don't use one in my home except on RARE occasions so I really don't think I'll need one elsewhere.
If an electric water heater is such a PIA or bad idea, why have all the conversion companies I have rec'd quotes from for this particular trailer, planned on using one???
Posted 2008-01-20 7:55 PM (#74902 - in reply to #74785) Subject: RE: Please Assist me in Understanding Power for my Trailer
Charter Member
Posts: 251
Location: Holland, Tx
Originally written by HWBar on 2008-01-19 8:49 AM
You may think 30-45 minutes with no air is not a problem, but I have been to Texas and 30 minutes with the air off will equate to 2 hours cooling the trailer back down.
As I believe I stated elsewhere on this thread, in the summer, TO ME, hot water is not much of an issue. Cold showers are better for your body physiologically (internally and externally) and even at home, I take them VERY cold in the summer months (and often take 2-3/day). The only time I am worried about HOT water is during the winter and I will not have my AC running at that time (no heat strip).
Posted 2008-01-20 10:57 PM (#74916 - in reply to #74610) Subject: RE: Please Assist me in Understanding Power for my Trailer
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Posts: 285
Towfoo, our friend put one of those tankless water heaters in his trailer this past year. He loves it. When he builds his new lq, he is going to put one them in it too.
Posted 2008-01-21 1:50 PM (#74962 - in reply to #74901) Subject: RE: Please Assist me in Understanding Power for my Trailer
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Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico
If an electric water heater is such a PIA or bad idea, why have all the conversion companies I have rec'd quotes from for this particular trailer, planned on using one???
Maybe because it's what easiest for them.
In our camper we have the dual water heater. Gas or electric. We rarely use the electric setting because it is so slow to heat up. We turn on the gas 10 minutes before we want to take a shower and need just a couple of minutes between showers to keep it hot. When we used it on electric it took almost an hour to get hot and then we had to wait a good 30 minutes between showers for the next person to have a hot shower.
Posted 2008-01-21 5:29 PM (#74995 - in reply to #74610) Subject: RE: Please Assist me in Understanding Power for my Trailer
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Posts: 201
Mandy, I've been reading your ongoing questions about doing an LQ/wiring, etc. I strongly suggest you find a reputable LQ company/individual to do your conversion. I believe you'll be a lot safer and resale will be alot stronger if done by qualified people.