Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Gerry Vicha on March 17, 2025, 05:45:41 pm
Title: Atwood Water Heater
Post by: Gerry Vicha on March 17, 2025, 05:45:41 pm
So, I have owned My Foretravel for just about, 20 years. The Three way, water heater only worked on L.P. Gas, or when the engine was running from the heat exchanger built in the unit. I could never get it to work on the 110 volt circuit supplied by the switch at the foot of the bed. I assumed that the heating element had gotten burn out from being turned on with No Water in the Tank. I have decided to upgrade the system, by installing a "Tankless" Instant Hot L.P. water Heater. I am in the process of removing the old water heater, and while checking for all of the connections I observed, through a little round access hole, in the pass through bay, all of the various connections; Water in, Water out, L.P.Gas Supply, 110 volt supply, :o Wow!! Here is where I found a Little Black Togel Switch, on top of the electrical junction box, in the "off" position... I don't remember seeing it mentioned it the instalation manual, and it cannot be seen without a mirror looking from the access hole..... I am Posting this incase someone else has the same problem I had, It's Not Necessarily the Electrical element...
Title: Re: Atwood Water Heater
Post by: wolfe10 on March 17, 2025, 05:48:16 pm
Gerry,
Let us know if turning it on (a) showed 120 VAC on the water heater side of the switch (b) made the 120 VAC heating element work/heat water.
Title: Re: Atwood Water Heater
Post by: Gerry Vicha on March 17, 2025, 05:54:50 pm
Hi Brett, Too late, I have the tank drained, but I will Check for Continuity through the element, once I have it removed... ^.^d
Title: Re: Atwood Water Heater
Post by: wolfe10 on March 17, 2025, 06:05:35 pm
Thanks.
Yes check the element, and also see if you have 120 VAC on the wire that went to the water heater when that switch is on.
That may help others with the hidden mystery switch.
Title: Re: Atwood Water Heater
Post by: Michelle on March 17, 2025, 06:07:05 pm
Please don't immediately dispose of the water heater if it's working - someone may need it!
Atwood Water Heater (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=49058.0)
Title: Re: Atwood Water Heater
Post by: Gerry Vicha on March 17, 2025, 08:16:25 pm
Please don't immediately dispose of the water heater if it's working - someone may need it!
Atwood Water Heater (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=49058.0)
It will Be available Here in Southwest Florida. When I complete the project. I will post with picture, it does have quite a bit calcium corrosion around the fittings. (Free to good home)
Title: Re: Atwood Water Heater
Post by: FourTravelers on March 18, 2025, 07:29:13 am
Gerry, 99% chance that was your issue with the 120v element not working. Ours has the same switch, also there should be a thermostat and high limit cutout on the backside of the heater. I believe they are preset at 120 degrees and the high temp has a resetable button if it opens the circuit. Unfortunately the 120 volt side of things are located in a not so easy to access area unless the tank is completely removed. It can be done tho. :headwall:
Justin
Title: Re: Atwood Water Heater
Post by: Joe Phebus on March 18, 2025, 12:40:36 pm
So, I have owned My Foretravel for just about, 20 years. The Three way, water heater only worked on L.P. Gas, or when the engine was running from the heat exchanger built in the unit. I could never get it to work on the 110 volt circuit supplied by the switch at the foot of the bed. I assumed that the heating element had gotten burn out from being turned on with No Water in the Tank. I have decided to upgrade the system, by installing a "Tankless" Instant Hot L.P. water Heater. I am in the process of removing the old water heater, and while checking for all of the connections I observed, through a little round access hole, in the pass through bay, all of the various connections; Water in, Water out, L.P.Gas Supply, 110 volt supply, :o Wow!! Here is where I found a Little Black Togel Switch, on top of the electrical junction box, in the "off" position... I don't remember seeing it mentioned it the instalation manual, and it cannot be seen without a mirror looking from the access hole..... I am Posting this incase someone else has the same problem I had, It's Not Necessarily the Electrical element...
I wonder id someone added that as an "upgrade" to avoid accidentally flipping it on. Our switch is at the foot of the bed and we've accidently kicked it on a couple times and put a steady drain on the house batteries until we caught it. So, when dry camping, I flip it off in the breaker box.
Title: Re: Atwood Water Heater
Post by: FourTravelers on March 18, 2025, 07:05:45 pm
Our switch is at the foot of the bed and we've accidently kicked it on a couple times and put a steady drain
We have the standard OEM switch at the foot of the bed also, ours is not powered by the inverter tho. It would drain the house batteries rather quickly as the 120v element is 1000 watts. The toggle switch on the back of the water heater should be there as a "service disconnect" for a repair technician.
To clarify, it feeds from the breaker to the illuminated switch at the foot of the bed then to the toggle switch on the back of the water heater. Then to the high limit cutout, thermostat and finally the heating element.
Title: Re: Atwood Water Heater
Post by: Twig on April 01, 2025, 07:14:47 am
In 2003 Atwood eliminated the quarter sized sensors on the back of the unit for 110V and used a relay with a switch. I moved my relay/switch to the side bulkhead wall to make it easier to turn off and on. The 110 heating element is most likely fine.
Title: Re: Atwood Water Heater
Post by: Gerry Vicha on April 01, 2025, 07:26:10 am
It will Be available Here in Southwest Florida. When I complete the project. I will post with picture, it does have quite a bit calcium corrosion around the fittings. (Free to good home)
This water heater is out and available here in southwest Florida, FREE to anyone that would like it. 30 years old has about 80,000 miles on it, Was working on L.P. gas and Heat exchanger when removed, I believe the 120 Volt System is also working now that I found the secondary switch that was located on the Heater itself. I don't think it is worth the cost to ship it, but if you want it let me know...
Title: Re: Atwood Water Heater
Post by: Barry & Cindy on April 01, 2025, 11:34:01 am
Hi Twig, good to see your posting. Moving the relay from the back side, moves the heating element power source to where it can be reached, allowing the ability to meter the heating element to be sure it is working. Keeping the relay on the back side prevents access to the heating element. Happy travels Twig, Barry & Cindy