Electric Toggle Switch on Water Heater

[hunts800]

My electric hit water toggle switch is stuck in the "on" position. I have poked and pushed to no avail. We have been on the road for a month, and will be for another two to three weeks. I am afraid to pull it out of the frame for fear of screwing something else up. So I plan to just leave it on until we get home. Shouldn't be a problem since I plan on having 50amp hookups for the remainder of the trip. Water heater seems to function normally.

[cw3jason]

My guess is you are talking about the switch outside on your hot water heater. As long as the inside electric hot water switch is off, it will be off. Both switches must be on for the electric element to get power. It is probably corroded and hence stuck on. you should be able to force it off or remove it and rep[lace if corrosion is too bad.

[1retired06]

Easy fix. On one of our units I pulled the switch, had no replacement handy, and hardwired so everything controlled from the inside.

[hunts800]

Yes, it is the outside toggle switch on the hot water heater. I do not have an inside switch for the water heater, only a switch to operate it in the gas mode. Unless there's a switch I haven't discovered in 3 years.

[Mike639]

Originally Posted by hunts800

Yes, it is the outside toggle switch on the hot water heater. I do not have an inside switch for the water heater, only a switch to operate it in the gas mode. Unless there's a switch I haven't discovered in 3 years.

Shut off the breaker for the Hot water heater. That’s what I had to do on my last trip out. Haven’t fixed it yet.

[cotter key]

Replacing the switch is a fairly simple fix, its just a 12 volt rocker switch. If I remember right just squeeze the sides in the back and it pops out, unplug the wires and hook up new switch

[1retired06]

Originally Posted by hunts800

Yes, it is the outside toggle switch on the hot water heater. I do not have an inside switch for the water heater, only a switch to operate it in the gas mode. Unless there's a switch I haven't discovered in 3 years.

Wow, different for us. On our last two Montana units, (maybe three, cannot remember for sure) had inside switching for the hot water heater, one marked electric, one marked propane, plus of course the one at the heater.

[DQDick]

On our 2010 I turned that switch on when we bought it and it was still on when we sold it this summer.

[h2ojocky]

I only have a switch on the WH. I had to replace it. Went to the hardware store and bought a like rocker switch for just a couple of bucks. Replaced just like Cotter Key stated.

[Chip]

It is probably just hard to rocker. Mine was that way. Took it off and worked it some so now it works fine although still a little stiff.

[YOPPER]

The WH switch is a 110 volt switch. Switch is about $10 at any RV parts place

[Good Life]

Wires on switch are "HOT" flip off breaker before you remove!
Switch can be had for 6.95 shipped all over ebay!

[beeje]

Wrong, That little black switch on the outside is a 12 volt switch, along with the inside switch if you have one. I just replaced mine for the same reason. You do not have to buy a suburban switch. Any 12 volt switch will work as long as it is the same physical size to put back into the hole. These switches control a relay that switches the 110 volt power to the heater.

[BB_TX]

The inside switch is 12 volt that operates a 12 volt relay (if you have one) to supply 120 vac to the element, but the outside switch on the water heater is 120 vac. Look at the Suburban water heater schematic diagram and you will see that.

[beeje]

Re read my post. I just replaced mine. It is defiantly a 12 volt switch which operates a relay. I tested it with my meter to be sure which wire was hot so I could position the new switch with on being in the up position. No way the small gauge wires to the switch could handle the current draw from a electric heating element. I got one from Napa for $4

[Good Life]

Mine is definitely 120 volt! That's why I cautioned to flip Breaker before servicing! You can do what you want,leave it hot for all I care!

Originally Posted by BB_TX

The inside switch is 12 volt that operates a 12 volt relay (if you have one) to supply 120 vac to the element, but the outside switch on the water heater is 120 vac. Look at the Suburban water heater schematic diagram and you will see that.

[BB_TX]

I guess it depends on the model water heater, and maybe the model/year of the RV. Mine is 120 vac just as shown in the Suburban manual. Wiring is noted as 14 ga, not very large but enough for the 8.3 amps or so.

https://www.rexandsonsrvs.com/manual...ice_Manual.pdf

[beeje]

Now you guys got me questioning myself. Im going to look at it when I get home

[hunts800]

Thanks for all the input. I guess I'll leave it in the on position until I get home where I will pull the switch and replace....after verifying if 120 v or 12 v.

[Eagleback]

You have the exact same unit and year as us, and there is only the one switch on the heater itself.