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Water Heater

Discovered a switch at the foot of the bed behind the skirt.  It's labeled water heater.  Is that to heat the engine when it's cold?  Bit of a dumb question.
Jerry Elkins
2004 Holiday Rambler Scepter
2018 Mini Cooper Clubman
Border Collies Isabelle & Baxter
Kerrville Tx.  78028

Re: Water Heater

Reply #1 –
That's the switch for the electric element in your water heater. You should also have a switch labeled block heater which is your engine heater. (that is if you rig is equipped with an engine heater)

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Water Heater

Reply #2 –
I am not familiar with an electric element for the water heater as OE in the U240.  The switch under the passenger's side of bed just below the 120 VAC breaker panel is for the engine block heater.

Certainly, modifications could have been made by a previous owner or even a special order from the factory.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Water Heater

Reply #3 –
My engine block heater switch on end of bed frame has a red light to show it is on.  Good thing too, love the light, keeps me from looking soo dumb
My domestic hot water is from the Aqua Hot, either diesel fueled or electric 120Volt from switch on Aqua Hot panel near cook top, also has light signaling what is on.

Re: Water Heater

Reply #4 –
My 92 U240 has one switch there and it is for the block heater.  My wife keeps bumping it and turning it on.  I keep the rig plugged in and that skirt hides the switch.  I know one time the block heater was on for a week or more.  I have been keeping the breaker for it off since then.  My water heater is propane only, which I think is OE for this year and model.
Dwayne Keith
1992 U240
3116/MD3060

Re: Water Heater

Reply #5 –
Our U295 has two switches on the pedestal, one on each side of the big breaker box. One is labeled "Water Heater," and the other is labeled "Block Heater." Each has a lamp that illuminates the switch when it is in the "on" position. Each supplies the device as labeled when the coach is plugged to shore power or when the generator is running.

The water heater switch is on the passenger side of the breaker box. The block heater switch is on the driver side of the break box.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Water Heater

Reply #6 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
Our U295 has two switches on the pedestal, one on each side of the big breaker box. One is labeled "Water Heater," and the other is labeled "Block Heater." Each has a lamp that illuminates the switch when it is in the "on" position. Each supplies the device as labeled when the coach is plugged to shore power or when the generator is running.

The water heater switch is on the passenger side of the breaker box. The block heater switch is on the driver side of the break box.

Ours is set up the same way.  (99 U270)
Dave and Nancy
1999/2013 U270 36' Xtreme
Motorcade # 16774
2013 Subaru Outback
KD0NIM

Re: Water Heater

Reply #7 –
The switch at the foot of my bed is for the block heater. It also has an indicator light to show when it's on. If you lift the bed, you will probably see the wire going from the switchbox and entering the engine bay.

The water heater has a switch at the sink to switch on the ignition system.

Steve
1991 U225 Grand Villa

Re: Water Heater

Reply #8 –
I'm with Brett. I'm betting that it was an aftermarket installation. See if the original water heater has been replaced and if there is any wiring coming out of was is usually the cleanout/drain plug/anode for the water heater. If so that is an aftermarket water heater and probably connected to the switch on the bed pedestal.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Water Heater

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Dwayne –
My 92 U240 has one switch there and it is for the block heater.  My wife keeps bumping it and turning it on.  I keep the rig plugged in and that skirt hides the switch.  I know one time the block heater was on for a week or more.  I have been keeping the breaker for it off since then.  My water heater is propane only, which I think is OE for this year and model.

These lightswitch guards are such a simple fix for an annoying problem--they work like a dream. They cover the switch, but still allow you to turn the light on and off if we choose from the side.

Amazon.com: Amertac-Westek Wht Switch Guard Csg1 Dimmers Incandescent
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Water Heater

Reply #10 –
After reading the replies I discovered another switch.  So we have two.  One labeled water and another labeled block.  The control for the propane hot water heater is at the sink.  Humm?  Perhaps there is a electric element in the water heater.
Jerry Elkins
2004 Holiday Rambler Scepter
2018 Mini Cooper Clubman
Border Collies Isabelle & Baxter
Kerrville Tx.  78028

Re: Water Heater

Reply #11 –
Jerry,

Turn on the one by the sink (labeled water heater).  Do you hear the igniter followed by a propane fire start up?  If so, this is the 12 VDC control for the propane powered water heater.

 If no noise, but you do get hot water, you likely have a 120 VAC heating element. A quick check of the 120 VAC breaker panel would reveal a separate breaker for the electric water heater element IF SO EQUIPPED.

Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Water Heater

Reply #12 –
You can look at the model number of the water heater, can't remember exactly how the number is laid out but if there is an E in it it has an electric element.
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: Water Heater

Reply #13 –
I have both switches at the foot of my bed.  The "water heater" switch is for hot water when plugged into electric.
David in VA
1994 Unihome Grand Villa U280

Re: Water Heater

Reply #14 –
Could very well have been optioned up at the factory.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Water Heater

Reply #15 –
I think it was factory installed Dave.  Looks like it, since both switches are identical.  I will turn it on and see if we get hot water.  Have been using the propane so far.
Jerry Elkins
2004 Holiday Rambler Scepter
2018 Mini Cooper Clubman
Border Collies Isabelle & Baxter
Kerrville Tx.  78028

Re: Water Heater

Reply #16 –
In that case, those three way Atwoods also had a switch on the element cover on the back side of the water heater. That switch is off from the factory and some owners never realized it wasn't ever working...
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Water Heater

Reply #17 –
To test the electric element, you should be on shore power or generator power. The electric element is normally not on the inverter circuit. Also, coach should have been sitting still with engine off for a few hours. Ours is three way -- it heats from engine heat via a heat exchanger, propane, or 120VAC.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX