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Open Roads Forum > Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)

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JaneNLee

Las Vegas, Nevada

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Posted: 05/22/12 09:25pm

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Has anyone used the 'Hott Rod Water Heater Conversion Kits' to convert gas Water heating to gas/electric water heater?

Or is there any other type you have used to convert from gas only to gas/electric?

Any ideas or help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Have a nice Memorial Day weekend.

Jane and Lee

Never RV with anyone crazier than you!!

fordsooperdooty

Southern California

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Posted: 05/22/12 09:47pm

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HottRood has been selling those things for many years, we have used them in the past when we had a propane only water heater a couple of Jayco's ago...worked great!

* This post was edited 05/22/12 09:57pm by fordsooperdooty *

My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data. They are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes and should not be constituted as actually related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, spiritual or practical advice. Amen.

JaneNLee

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Posted: 05/22/12 09:52pm

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Thanks fordsooperdooty- did you install the HottRod? or have a mechanic do it?

fordsooperdooty

Southern California

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Posted: 05/22/12 09:58pm

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DIY...very easy. Basically screw it in and supply it with 120 volt electricity. They work on Atwood and Suburban Water Heaters.

Atwood has an aluminum tank that won't rust, the Suburban has a glass lined tank and a anode rod to keep rust away.

Old-Biscuit

Across the USA

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Posted: 05/22/12 10:28pm

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fordsooperdooty wrote:

They install in the drain.......if using on a Suburban that needs an anode (which is part of drain plug) how do you provide for corrosion protection?

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Francesca Knowles

Port Hadlock, Washington

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Posted: 05/22/12 11:51pm

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Those things are great- but don't expect the same performance as from an as-built 2-way...the conversion's only 400 watts as opposed to (I think) 1200 in an as-built.;

Old-Biscuit wrote:

They install in the drain.......if using on a Suburban that needs an anode (which is part of drain plug) how do you provide for corrosion protection?

Good point about the anode- The Hott Rod kit for Suburbans does contain an anode, but those who buy the Camco unit will need to make other provisions. Some folks put the anode where the existing pressure relief valve is, and move the p.r. valve to the "hot out" wherever it fits inside the RV (teed/y'd for outflow).

Save that anode, folks- you'll be saving your tank!

* This post was edited 05/22/12 11:59pm by Francesca Knowles *

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philandterri

Westtown, NY

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Posted: 05/23/12 04:27am

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We installed the HOT ROD in our Atwood heater in 1998 and still have it today. Besides the rod going in the drain hole, you have a thermostat control that you stick on the tank and need to have electic connection nearby. We run an extension cord from the water heater to an outlet. We clean the scale off the rod about every six months.

gotsmart

Aberdeen, WA

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Posted: 05/23/12 03:32pm

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My RV tech won't install the electric conversion kits. He says that the water heater MFGs void the warranties if electric conversion kits are present at the time of warranty service. He seemed to imply that it was also an insuarnce liability issue for his RV service business as well.

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