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Water Heater Switch

On the wall for the bed (where the fuse panels are located) I have a 110v switch for the engine heater and another, labeled "water heater." We have the regular toggles in the kitchen and bathroom for the hot water heater but what's this one for? Thanks.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Water Heater Switch

Reply #1 –
Jon, it is probably for the electric heating element for the water heater. The one in the Kitchen is for the propane.
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 Switch

Reply #2 –
Ah, of course. I forgot about that feature. Our last rig had Aqua Hot and the other one didn't have the electric. Thanks, Kent.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Water Heater Switch

Reply #3 –
Pull the door off the water heater and if you see a cord leading into an element, you have the optional electric heater or one that was added later. Don't expect it to heat as fast as the propane but if you are plugged in, it does the job. Every electric heater element seems to have a different location for the switch. Ours is inside the storage door in the bath.

An electric heater element can be added to almost any propane water heater.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Water Heater Switch

Reply #4 –
Quote
Pull the door off the water heater and if you see a cord leading into an element,
No door but there's an access hole in the adjacent compartment (joey bed). I can see an on/off switch. Anyhow, nice to have this option. Kinda like the electric element in a 320's Aqua Hot. Thanks.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Water Heater Switch

Reply #5 –
Good eyes jor. Talk about redundancy. There is a circuit breaker that supplies 110 to the lighted switch which supplies 110 to the little switch on the back of the heater which in turn heats water. My little switch in the back of the heater went out so I bypassed it (a one handed job, no fun). Just so you know.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Water Heater Switch

Reply #6 –
Both circuits are independent and can run at the same time.  Faster recovery if taking back to back showers.

Bob
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Water Heater Switch

Reply #7 –
My circuits were not independent. If the lighted switch was on and not the heater switch, no hot water. And vice a verse a.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Water Heater Switch

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Twig –
My circuits were not independent. If the lighted switch was on and not the heater switch, no hot water. And vice a verse a.

One turns on a propane heater flame and the other is an electric element inserted in the tanks drain plug.  Both thermostated seperately.  Old marquis orlov floor plans had two ten gallons propane with electric elements in both.  All on at once to fill the jacuzzi tub. M
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Water Heater Switch

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
One turns on a propane heater flame and the other is an electric element inserted in the tanks drain plug.  Both thermostated seperately.
Bob,
I replaced my water heater with a new one in 2006.  New unit controls both propane and electric with the circuit board (using propane thermostat).  I like the old one better: if the circuit board goes out you could still get hot water with the electric.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Water Heater Switch

Reply #10 –
'94 - U225
I give up (almost)
I have read several post about the elec. hot water heater switch being in the bed room.
I can't find one.
I do have an elec. heating element in the hot water tank.
I can not find a switch.
I believe the elec. element is on all the time there is AC power (including inverter).
There is a AC plug in behind the silver ware drawer with two appliances plugged in.....I believe one is the ice maker and now I believe the other may be the elec. element for the water heater.???
I 'assume' some one added the elec. element and just found an easy place to power it ?
The drawer has an issue and is hard to get out.
THE QUESTION: Has any one run into this situation yet ?
Thanks...............~JL~........... ::)
1994-GV-U225
5.9 Cummings
Build #4503
Near Springer Oklahoma

Re: Water Heater Switch

Reply #11 –
Johnnie,

Electric element was not standard on your model.

That certainly does not mean one is not there.  With the Atwood water heater, it can be either a factory (Atwood factory) element which goes into the back of the water heater OR an aftermarket element (not recommended by Atwood) that replaces the nylon drain plug.

So, check both locations-- outside door to see drain plug and pull out drawers/remove drawers enough to see the back of the water heater.

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 Switch

Reply #12 –
JL,

We have an aftermarket element installed in our Atwood. I would have never found the switch but the last owner clued us in. Ours is right above the water heater in a bathroom cabinet a couple of feet above the floor so if the heater is close to the sink area, you might check in all the cabinets.

The electric element is not nearly as fast as the gas but if you are plugged in, it does the job nicely.

Ours also has another point of use electric water heater below the kitchen sink. There is a switch for that one on the face of the cabinet to the left of the water pump and gas water heater switch.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Water Heater Switch

Reply #13 –
Thanks All,
Still have not found a switch in any of those locations.
Unplugged it at the element for now.
If I can't find a switch soon,  I will install one.
I like having a choice between propane & elec. but want to have control !
Sure did not want the elec. element on with no water in the tank .
Thanks again...............Be Well.................~JL~.......... ^.^d
1994-GV-U225
5.9 Cummings
Build #4503
Near Springer Oklahoma

Re: Water Heater Switch

Reply #14 –
Is the electric element in the back of the water heater/inside of the motorhome or is it screwed into the drain plug fitting?  That may tell you who wired it.
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 Switch

Reply #15 –
Brett it is in the drain plug location.
The size of the hole going into the coach is not big enough for the 'plug', so the power cord had to be cut some place ?
I can tell more when I get the silver ware drawer out.  One of the little plastic latches won't release.  Trying not to break it.
Thanks.............~JL~.......... ::)
1994-GV-U225
5.9 Cummings
Build #4503
Near Springer Oklahoma

Re: Water Heater Switch

Reply #16 –
That was added by an owner-- NOT a Foretravel or Atwood addition.  So, wiring will be unique to your coach. 

And if the top drawer is difficult to remove, remove the next two down from it-- should give you plenty of access to the back of the water heater to trace that wire.

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