Adding an Electric Heating Element to Your RV’s Hot Water Heater
Installing an electric heating element
by Ron Pro
Aka a “lightning rod” in the hot water heater of your RV is not that difficult. I will take you through every step needed to complete the project. I am well qualified for the task at hand considering the fact that I was a full time RV’er for over nine years and worked at a very large RV repair center in northern California.
When my wife and I started out full time in our RV, we had to learn to take showers over again. That’s right we couldn’t just stand in there and let the water run like we did in our regular home. Most RV’s are equipped with a shut off button at the neck of the shower head. Basically you get wet, turn the water off with the button at the shower head. Get the shampoo and wash your hair. Turn the water on and rinse your hair, turn the water off. Scrub up with soap, turn the water on and rinse off. That would be about the end of the hot water. I was used to a long hot shower, something had to change and fast.
I learned very soon about the lightning rod. It is an electric heating element that screws right in your RV’s hot water heater. I couldn’t wait to get to Camping World and purchase one. It was a warm sunny July morning when I started the installation. The package is not very big and the instructions are on a 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper all folded up and neatly tucked behind the element.
The installation is as follows. Make sure the water heater is turned off and water has cooled, next turn the water supply off, drain the water tank. Unscrew the drain petcock from the unit. Use Teflon tape if recommended by the manufacture. It screws right in the drain hole, very carefully tighten with proper size wrench. Hook up wiring into the 12 volt system as the instructions indicate. Your propane bill will be lower and you can now take a longer shower. Oh happy day! This is a very basic look at how the installation process is performed. Please read the instructions supplied by the manufacture. Enjoy more hot water, lower propane bills and be a happy camper! For more information on RV repair please visit us at: RV repair.
Hope you enjoyed this article, we have a wealth of knowledge at our site: RV repair. RV repair is associated with RV education 101 and very proud of the product they offer. Just some of the products are… RV Awning Use, Care and accessories. Deep Cycle Battery Care and Maintenance. RV Campground Basics. Checklist for RVers. 101 Tips for RVers. RV Care and Maintenance. A free RVdvd and many much more! RVrepair
About the Author
Ron Pro and his wife have traveled many miles in an RV. They were full timers for 9 1/2 years. They traveled just about 90% of central and northern California, have been leaders in many travel adventures back east, down south and may northern states as well. Ron has maintained and done an excelent keeping three travel trailers is fine working order. For further details: RVrepair & FreeRVtips.com
