Hot water heater/dry camping - Event Date: 06 Aug 2016

Originally posted by mountainman That's right, you need electricity to heat the element. Thanks for waking me up. Water heater works fine except for rocker switch on tank doesnt work. Still trying to decide if I want to try and replace it myself.

If it is broken, but ON, you may not need to replace it. Most Podders just turn it on and forget it. Use the circuit breaker inside as a switch if you want to turn it off. That works great IF you remember not to turn it on until the WH is full again after you drain it.

You cannot "fry the element" without shore power. Dry camping means using the gas side of the WH. Have you used the WH before? If so, it should be full, unless you emptied it for some reason. If you have NOT ever used the WH, and you don't KNOW the position of the bypass valves, you need to check them and make sure they are in the summer or use position. Then it's simply a matter of filling the holding tank, turning on the pump, and opening the hot water tap at the sink or shower, and once all the bubbles and gurgles quit.. it's full.