Efficiency of Hot Water Heater?

morrisg · 07-06-2014, 08:09 PM

We are in the process of purchasing a Jayco “Jay Feather Ultra Lite.” Seems the hot water heaters are all 6 gallons, and while I realize taking a bath or shower is not going to be like a “home experience” I was wondering how well the hot water system works in a TT? Do the hot water heaters recover any faster than a standard electrical or gas heater i.e. can you take a decent bath or shower?

RVhiker · 07-06-2014, 08:17 PM

The limiting factor for showers or baths is usually the size of your grey water holding tanks, not the size of the water heater. When we do not have a sewer hookup, our whole idea is to limit severely the amount of water that goes down the drain. If we have a sewer hookup, our six gallon water heater will provide all the hot water I care to use. Also, a gas/electric water heater can have both gas and electric elements on at the same time for a faster recovery. A large family and many showers in a row could deplete the hot water, however.

Paulx213 · 07-06-2014, 08:57 PM

Never tried the bath in my Jay Feather (at 6'2" I really don't think I'd fit). The hot water tank has plenty for a shower for me but my teenage daughters seem to run out.

All depends what you expect I guess.

kodes · 07-06-2014, 10:18 PM

We ran out in our 28 BHBE during my shower (of course) which was after DH's shower and all 3 kids being bathed.

Tunce the traveler · 07-06-2014, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVhiker

The limiting factor for showers or baths is usually the size of your grey water holding tanks, not the size of the water heater. When we do not have a sewer hookup, our whole idea is to limit severely the amount of water that goes down the drain. If we have a sewer hookup, our six gallon water heater will provide all the hot water I care to use. Also, a gas/electric water heater can have both gas and electric elements on at the same time for a faster recovery. A large family and many showers in a row could deplete the hot water, however.

X2 at least and get the Oxygenics shower head and you'll never run out.

cekkk · 07-07-2014, 04:02 PM

Our first camper had a 6 gallon WH and it was just enough for me to shower, shave and shampoo before cooling. DW, all 100 pounds of her, had a less pleasurable time. The Oxygenics helped considerably but the answer is our current 10 gallon unit.

Recovery on gas is fast enough for us, but you can add the electric if you think you need the speed.

Sledgehammer · 07-07-2014, 04:40 PM

Our jayco has a Atwood 6 gallon quick recovery water heater and it works well. I keep it on electric all the time, but before shower time i swap it to electric and gas. With roughly 5-10 minutes between showers, family of 4 hasnt ran out of hot water yet. Im usually last also because i get ready the quickest....nothing like camping with 3 females lolol. My shower head doesnt cut off either, so it runs the whole time.

Grumpy · 07-07-2014, 05:56 PM

If it's gas and elec and you run both it equals a 10 gal.

kodes · 07-07-2014, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sledgehammer

Our jayco has a Atwood 6 gallon quick recovery water heater and it works well. I keep it on electric all the time, but before shower time i swap it to electric and gas. With roughly 5-10 minutes between showers, family of 4 hasnt ran out of hot water yet. Im usually last also because i get ready the quickest....nothing like camping with 3 females lolol. My shower head doesnt cut off either, so it runs the whole time.

Funny, I take the last shower because I take the longest.... it's me, DH, and 3 boys

Camper_bob · 07-08-2014, 09:38 AM

DW and I have never run ours out of hot water (6 gallon gas/electric). Like others here, I leave the electric on all the time, but turn on the gas before DW goes in (she goes first). Usually by the time she's done in the bathroom (brush hair, teeth, lotion...), the tank has had time to recover. I have been known to take Navy showers even on full hookups, so that helps. She will only use Navy protocol if I beg her. I turn the gas off on my way to the bedroom.

I think some of it depends on how cold the city water (or tank water) is. The colder it is, the more hot you need to mix in to make it comfortable, thus depleting the tank faster.

If you really want to know, then test it at home. Get the shower to a comfortable temp, and run it. Time how long it takes for the HW to run out, then you could base everyone's time limit on your findings.

Nighthawk 96 · 07-09-2014, 06:59 PM

Whitehawk has 6 gal. Plenty enough hot water for shower. Stock shower head is very good. I like a hard spray, so turn on hot all the way and then mix cold into it. Your rv hot water heater produces much hotter water than you home hot water heater.

4ForCamping · 07-10-2014, 07:53 AM

Our previous trailer had only an LP heating element and a 6 gallon tank and navy showers were a must for a family of 4. With our White Hawk we have dual LP and elec. and I'm shocked/amazed at how efficient the water heater is (still 6 gallons). We haven't had to navy shower yet.

SecretCoveDave · 07-10-2014, 08:40 AM

Has anyone switched to a tankless hot water heater? I saw a Lance TT with one.

Camper_bob · 07-10-2014, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretCoveDave

Has anyone switched to a tankless hot water heater? I saw a Lance TT with one.

I wouldn't do it based on this discussion.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/sh...ighlight=water

It's an attractive idea though, especially in an RV.

**norty1** · 07-10-2014, 10:09 AM

I would not either. Heard to many complaints of them in RV's.

morrisg · 07-10-2014, 07:46 PM

Good question. I was wondering that myself.

I installed Rinnai tankless heaters for my home about 6 years ago and they work great. I can fill my large tube and never run out of hot water. One thing I learned during my consideration, do not use electirc tankless as your only means, only gas gives the the necessary BTUs.

SecretCoveDave · 07-10-2014, 09:08 PM

I think that it the heart of the issue- the house ones seem to work. RV, maybe not as well.
Gas vs electric issue.

Does anyone know about RV builders test programs? I thought before adopting new tech it is usually tested to destruction, then rebuilt.
If anyone knows a Lance owner with one could you ask if it works/brand?

**norty1** · 07-11-2014, 11:40 AM

I have a Natural gas Rheem demand water heater in my home. Great service for six years. No experience with rv's cept what I read and it is not popular with those that have them?

SecretCoveDave · 07-11-2014, 11:41 AM

I wonder if the RV version is the same for all builders?

12VOLTMAN · 07-11-2014, 01:16 PM

I have the Atwood quick recovery tank. Is there any danger in setting the tank for electric AND gas? And also, if most RVs are limited by grey water capacity, can you leave the gate valve open during shower time?

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