Hot Water Tank Question

[Hagler19]

We have a 2015 Jayco Precept 31ul Class A RV. Recently on a trip our propane ran out. My question is, is there a way to switch over the hot water tank from propane to electric? Same question for the heater as well.

Thank you

[Robbbyr]

Originally Posted by Hagler19

We have a 2015 Jayco Precept 31ul Class A RV. Recently on a trip our propane ran out. My question is, is there a way to switch over the hot water tank from propane to electric? Same question for the heater as well.

Thank you

Many Jayco motorhomes of that year came with a Girard tankless water heater which have no electric heating capabilities. Does your unit have a dial near the bathroom to control the water temperature? If so you likely have the Girard.

When you say heater do you mean the furnace? If you do, the furnace itself cannot heat with electric, but your air conditioner might if it has heat pump functionality. Does your thermostat have a selection for "electric heat"? If it does and your outside temperature is above about 40 degrees you should be able to run the heat pump and warm your unit. Be aware though if the thermostat setting is more than about 4 degrees above the room temperature the system will try to run the furnace. Since you are out of propane the furnace won't heat. Try setting the thermostat, switched to electric heat, just a few degrees above the room temp and raise it gradually from there.

If you do indeed have the heat pump if it is colder than 40 outside it won't work either.

[hawkster]

Equipped with the Girard, no. I have a 2016 31ul with Girard. It uses very little propane and I can go for months in the summer using the water heater, stove, and outdoor BBQ. The fly in the ointment is the furnace. It uses a lots of propane and can use all you have in a few days. That's why a lot of us use small electric heaters in the winter.

We just fill our propane before leaving and generally good to go for awhile. There is a device called the extend a stay that lets you use a small propane tank as a supplement to the main tank.

[Rice1951]

As Robbyr stated you likely have a Girard tankless WH and it runs only on propane. If you have a 6 gallon WH then it would be gas and electric. Check the outside of your coach for where the water heater is vented and remove the cover. If it’s a tank heater you will have a drain plug and pressure relief valve. If it’s tankless you will have an on/off switch and miscellaneous wiring and piping. Either way there should be a nameplate listing manufacturer and model that is readily visible.
As for your furnace it will only produce heat on propane. The fan operates on 120vac so you need shore power or your generator to run that.
Also, after you get your propane tank refilled you will need to make sure all your gas appliances work. Since you most likely ran the piping empty start with your stove top. Get one of the burners lit first before trying the WH or furnace as it takes a little time to get gas all the way through the piping after running it dry. Good luck and don’t hesitate to ask for help as there are a lot of knowledgeable folks out here.

[hoppers4]

Originally Posted by Rice1951

As for your furnace it will only produce heat on propane. The fan operates on 120vac so you need shore power or your generator to run that.

The fan on the furnace is 12VDC so no need for shore power for furnace to operate.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by hoppers4

The fan on the furnace is 12VDC so no need for shore power for furnace to operate.

True, but without a means of charging the battery, the battery can't run the fan very long - how long depends on how often and how long you run the furnace and other 12v things (lights, vent fans, etc.).

[Rice1951]

[The fan on the furnace is 12VDC so no need for shore power for furnace to operate.]

Hoppers4, thanks for clarifying that. I guess I knew that but as oldmanAZ said depending on how cold it is and how long the furnace runs you will eventually need a means to recharge the batteries. I was thinking of times when I would run the generator to have supplemental heat going down the road in cold weather.