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Originally Posted by Chance

I think some manufacturers’ main goal is to eliminate propane system from some RVs, and make them a single-fuel rig. In my home I use natural gas only for furnace and hot water, everything else being electric. Some new rigs do the same except furnace and hot water are fueled by diesel or gasoline, which probably saves costs by eliminating propane system. It also makes it convenient for owner, so a win-win for some/many buyers. As far as I know, giving up propane cooktop is main disadvantage for some who don’t like electric.


Interesting you mention 12V for water heater because I helped my son design a trailer living quarters modification for light camping that uses 12V element in water heater. It works great because excess solar keeps water hot during day, and if needed can also heat from batteries. Element isn’t that powerful so it takes a few minutes to heat, and recovery is slower than normal, but more than fast enough for requirement. Wiring is short and doesn’t pull as much power as a typical inverter so wire gauge isn’t as large as you’d think. I don’t recall details but it’s well under 1,000 Watts and heats small-capacity tank in reasonable time. You should run the numbers if curious.

If designing a van conversion for myself, I would go all electric including water heater, though I’d buy a dual 12 VDC and 120 VAC unit. For boondocking without a generator, 50 Amps or so from alternator could heat all the water I’d need prior to stopping, without having to use inverter (also an option if only 120 VAC). At campgrounds the water heater can be powered from the more powerful 120 VAC element.

I know it sounds crazy, but even 50A (600~700 Watts) can heat a lot of water given a few hours of driving, or solar during day. In my son’s case the trailer is all solar unless plugged-in, which is rare. Usual one or two days camping is 100% solar.

Remember back in the 70's the push for the "All electric house"? Works pretty good unless you need to do some serious winter heating. Different fuels just work better for different jobs.