Hi all, just getting everything ready in our new to us Swift Challenger. Checked everything works. When on site, do you leave the water heater on all the time, or, just put it on when hot water is needed please?
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You haven't stated whether by gas operation or electric but if on 240 volt mains electric hook up 24 hours a day then you can leave on constantly but if on gas then it's advisable just to heat when required. Not everybody uses electric hook up such as if on rally fields or Temporary Holiday Sites so it was an answer to be covered by both sources of power.
depends on the amperage supplied to the caravan, but if we wanted to use the kettle then I turn it off in our van as if we are given 10 amps then we are to close to the max with the kettle boiling
I heat the water in a morning, and an evening. It's on for approximately half an hour each time. I was told you won't overwok the element this way. And in my mind it's 'Greener' to heat it only when hot water is required. (on EHU).
My last van had no thermostat on 240v hot water element but one for running heater on gas. I cut into circuit before heater and wired in 13 amp plug and socket.
I fitted 24hr timer in socket to turn on at 6-00hrs for 10 mins and then turn off for 1hr and on for 10mins after each hr and finally turning off at 22hrs till 06-00hrs following day. we never ran short of HW and we only tripped out van twice in 5years due to over load
unless on shared EHU with next pitch.
The original electric switch for element was mounted on kick board of seat/bed and red led could be seen to light up when timer turned on.
PS the only bug bear with this system was timer had to be reset at every new site at EHU hook up.
We went from two 20 Kgs Bp gas bottles to 3/4 of bottle per year.
like russandjax we switch ours on morning and evening for 20 minutes or so. This heats our 9 ltr tank and the temperature is fine for dishes. We don't wash or shower in the van so it's more than enough for our needs.