Water heater electric?

Guys: is the water heater on my 2015 RP 179 propane only? I can't see any way to use electricity if it has an electric heating element in it. BTW, we have the Pod this week in Wyoming's Beartooth mountains. Glorious!

I always keep mine off until I have the water hooked up and run it a little. Then I hit the black electric switch and the water heats up very fast.

Local of electric hot water tank switch.

If the water heaters are all the same, and you haven't used the electric element before, there may be a tiny little pin you have to pull to be able to flip the switch. Pull that pin and flip the switch but only after the water heater is full of water.  Otherwise you can burn up the element very quickly.  There is also a breaker in the breaker box specifically for the water heater.  Most folks recommend you leave that off and use it to control the electric element, rather than go outside and flip the switch.  Remember to turn the breaker or the switch off when not in use or you'll forget next time you hook up and the water heater tank is empty.

You can use propane or electric or both for really fast recovery.  The electric is 120v, so it only works when you have hookups.  Battery power is always necessary for ignition when using propane.

TT

Originally posted by techntrek My suggestion to prevent burning out the element, just leave the water heater full all summer.  That also keeps you from losing 6 gallons of water from the fresh water tank if you are boondocking and don't fill it until you get to camp.