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Old 01-12-2020, 01:11 AM   #1
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Water Heater Conversion

Have a 2018 Thor Freedom Elite 26HE with a 6 gallon Atwood gas water heater.

I've heard you can buy a kit that plugs into your drain plug to make my gas water heater function electrically. Any advice or product suggestions would be great.

You're all great.

Brian

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Old 01-12-2020, 01:34 AM   #2
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https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Hot-Wat.../dp/B0024ECCJW
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Old 01-12-2020, 01:39 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by bkterbush View Post
Have a 2018 Thor Freedom Elite 26HE with a 6 gallon Atwood gas water heater.

I've heard you can buy a kit that plugs into your drain plug to make my gas water heater function electrically. Any advice or product suggestions would be great.

You're all great.

Brian
Do a search for Valterra Hott Rod Water Conversion. Cost is $85 to $120.
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Old 01-16-2020, 08:35 PM   #4
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Do a search for Valterra Hott Rod Water Conversion. Cost is $85 to $120.
Thanks, I've got one on the way.
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Old 01-16-2020, 09:15 PM   #5
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Thanks, I've got one on the way.
Just so you are aware: Hot Ron Element wattage = 440 watt's. Factory gas/electric element = 1440 watts. Apples and oranges.
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Old 01-16-2020, 10:46 PM   #6
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our HOTT ROD works great - especially if you have a 'manual light' propane only water heater, and are going to be plugged into shore power most/all of the time.... no issues.

Since it comes with it's own 120v plug, you can use one of your onboard outlets, or you can easily use the additional 15/20amp outlet at the campground power pedestal instead, with an extension cord.
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Old 01-16-2020, 11:05 PM   #7
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I wonder if you could set one of those Hott Rod heaters up as a "Pre-heater"; for a tankless hot water system?
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Old 01-16-2020, 11:37 PM   #8
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I wonder if you could set one of those Hott Rod heaters up as a "Pre-heater"; for a tankless hot water system?
Only if you plumb in a tank to put it in.
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Old 01-16-2020, 11:42 PM   #9
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yes, I bet you could if you have the time, effort, and thought to do it - it's just plumbing.

I wondered this the other day, as my two sons, who take up the camper next to our motorhome, have the Hott Rod in their 6 gallon water heater. Both complain at times that if they get in too shortly behind the other the water is lukewarm too quickly.

Dad wants to help, so I thought about what the 'easiest' and most 'economical'(cheap) thing could be done.
- add an 'inline' tankless water heater. Maybe, but it would be either too expensive, or it may have issues with water pressure. Will it be propane, or electric? Hmmmm.

- maybe add an 'inline' 'tanked' water heater, one of the Bosch 4 or 7 gallon types, which are 120v powered, but would hold a fair amount of heated water to compensate for the 6 gallon unit already installed. Would it be installed 'upstream', or 'downstream' of the current water heater?

- try to customize a plan: use a water heater circulating pump(found one for about $99 at lowes), and pair that with a water tank to hold the circulating 'hot' water. The original Hott Rod would be making all the hot water, but the pump would be circulating it thru the lines and the 'new' water tank. But, finding a 'water tank' for hot water is not a simple task. Still haven't found one the 'size' you would want, or any type of tank that would be 'lined' for hot water. This may wind up costing more than just adding a larger type of 'instant' water heater.


hmmmmm..... still thinking this thru....
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Old 01-16-2020, 11:55 PM   #10
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I wasn't aware that Thor was installing water heaters that were not dual fuel (lp and electric) from the factory.

Although my Challenger had a switch inside on the control panel, the coach before that had the switch outside hidden behind the LP line. When we plugged into shore power I had to open the water heater access panel to turn on the electric portion and then switch it off when disconnecting.
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Old 01-17-2020, 12:46 AM   #11
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we're probably not referring to any specific camper or motorhome, just those that don't already have an electric element...such as my son's Gulfstream camper.
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Old 01-17-2020, 01:26 AM   #12
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we're probably not referring to any specific camper or motorhome, just those that don't already have an electric element...such as my son's Gulfstream camper.
The op asked about a specific class c, a FreedomElite which is Thor
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Old 01-17-2020, 01:37 AM   #13
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the question was about adding a Hott Rod, not about any 'specific' RV.... it's applies to all, not just Thor products
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Old 01-17-2020, 02:35 AM   #14
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To be clear: I've got a Tiffin with a tankless Truma onboard.
I think it could be adapted to a tankless system. You would just need a small tank in which to install it. Just enough to start the heating process before it gets to the gas heater. The less effort the gas heater needs to put into the heating process: the less propane you'll be buying.
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Old 01-17-2020, 02:38 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by bkterbush View Post
Have a 2018 Thor Freedom Elite 26HE with a 6 gallon Atwood gas water heater.

I've heard you can buy a kit that plugs into your drain plug to make my gas water heater function electrically. Any advice or product suggestions would be great.

You're all great.

Brian
Post 1 Thor Freedom Elite. My comment was I wasn't aware Thor built a coach with single fuel only water heater. In fact if you look at Attwood's web site they don't list a single fuel water heater for an RV. The OP might want to verify what they currently have before possibly wasting more on something they may not need.

I am trying to give the OP a piece of advice on potentially saving money rather than doing something because it may be a fad or the next great worthless piece of crap to hit the market.

Done, I'm out of it.
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Old 01-18-2020, 12:37 AM   #16
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I'm sure that my water heater is gas only. It's stupid, but that is what I've got. Thanks to everyone who is giving advice.
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Old 01-18-2020, 12:42 AM   #17
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propane water heaters have been the 'standard' for the last 100 years(well, you get the idea) since any 'off-grid' appliances were offered in any RVs...so, no, it's not 'stupid', it's reality.

many entry level, cost effective RVs have propane only water heaters, just like they have propane only stove and ovens, and propane only fridges and furnaces.... that's not 'stupid' - it makes camping convenient, as most 'camping' for many, many years, and even many now, don't include 'lectricity!


enjoy : )
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Old 01-22-2020, 11:33 PM   #18
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My Thor Freedom Elite 24HE and the hot water heater works on gas on electric.
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Old 01-23-2020, 12:54 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
I wonder if you could set one of those Hott Rod heaters up as a "Pre-heater"; for a tankless hot water system?
Why would you want to??
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Old 01-23-2020, 01:06 AM   #20
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Doghouse

Quote:
Originally Posted by bkterbush View Post
Have a 2018 Thor Freedom Elite 26HE with a 6 gallon Atwood gas water heater.

I've heard you can buy a kit that plugs into your drain plug to make my gas water heater function electrically. Any advice or product suggestions would be great.

You're all great.

Brian
I did the same thing to my FE 2017 .Ask for a “ Hot Rod” electric heater core. It fits perfectly. 6 gal. tank.
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