A couple upgrades finally done.

thompwil · 04-02-2021, 07:02 AM

Two long overdue convenience projects finally done.

Bathroom vanity light.
Got the 12vdc LED vanity light on Amazon. We can actually see our faces in the mirror now, which may not always be a good thing.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

With having a gas only water heater, I had been getting up around 5:30am to switch it on for morning showers, etc. I don’t leave it on all day to conserve propane, usually off around 9:30am since we really don’t need it after that. This method has a tank of propane lasting us for many months of use as long as the furnace isn’t needed.
No holes drilled to install, attached with command strips and the wires go behind the thermostat into the wall. 3D printed the black wire cover. Turn on the green switch, set to auto, and then enjoy getting that extra sleep in the morning before the dogs want out.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Jim_HiTek · 04-09-2021, 10:16 PM

Nice work on the WH. But I don't know why you had to get up at 5:30 AM. Only takes 10 minutes for the WH to get hot as it's only 6-10 gallons of water. Typically for an RV takes around 1 minute per gallon. Slightly longer if it's cold, like freezing outside.

What I did was buy one of those after market heat sticks that goes in the tank drain so whenever I had power, I'd plug it in as part of my making camp procedure and soon enough, hot water. (That was for my '94 Bounder, for this '02 Winnie, the RV came with an electric heater in the tank). I liked that for winter camping as I soon had hot water and it wouldn't cost me anything for gas. And the electric of course was paid with my space rent. I usually can go a year before I need propane.

Like you're doing, the times I need to use gas, I'd only turn the WH gas on 10 minutes before a shower, so while coffee was brewing in the morning. Have a cup, shower, then do the dishes as the water would be hot again. Finally turn it off.

I like the automatic part you installed in your system though, think I'll look into getting one of those.

thompwil · 04-10-2021, 07:16 AM

I’ll never understand why there isn’t a gas/electric water heater in these units, it has 50A service. I’d thought of getting an electric kit but wasn’t sure what removing the anode rod would do over time. I timed ours at just a tad over 12 minutes for a morning flame cycle not considering all the variables involved.

My mornings are somewhat like a poker game with the dogs since neither their, nor my wake up times are constant. Can I finish a shower before they want out or not? Now if I wake up early enough, before them, I can before they figure out I’m up. The scenario in the post was just for example without giving a boring account of my morning routine, or lack thereof. Either way I have hot water when I need it in the mornings. And for a cheap timer, it works well.

Jim_HiTek · 04-10-2021, 09:06 AM

Aw, yes, dogs will change the equation for sure.

The aftermarket heating stick I used, the Hott Rod, came with a slip on anode ring, but my tank was aluminum so didn't need it. The Hott Rod is still available, but don't see that anode ring any more.

One other thought...when I bought this RV, I thought that they didn't put an electric element in the tank...like it was optional equipment and the PO didn't get that option.

After a few months of ownership, I finally got a stool out and got high enough that I could read the white printing on a clear label stuck to the cream colored plastic cover plate of the standard electrical switches above the RVs control panel in the hallway. Almost impossible to read what the labels said...in my case for sure impossible. And what one of the labels had printed on it was 'Water Heater'. DOH!!

For several months I'd used gas to heat my water when the switch for the electric element was right there over my head. I'd planned all along to research my users guides to find out what those switches were for but didn't get around to it...what with travel and all. The other switch is for the diesel engine heater.

I did relabel those switches with something that can be seen easily. I can just hear the engineers at Winnebago laughing.

2MPA · 04-16-2021, 10:59 AM

My wife would love more light in bath. Where did you tap power for the bathroom vanity light?

Wyatt · 04-16-2021, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2MPA

My wife would love more light in bath. Where did you tap power for the bathroom vanity light?

Here’s an idea I did. LED backlit, dimmable, and anti-fog. Tapped into the bathroom receptacle through an external raceway for power.

thompwil · 04-16-2021, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2MPA

My wife would love more light in bath. Where did you tap power for the bathroom vanity light?

I'm better with pictures so here's the scoop