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Old 03-18-2016, 05:28 PM   #1
treadaway
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Water heater switch

There is an on-off switch on my water heater which looks like it cuts electrical power when heating with electricity. It's gone faulty for the second time.

Do I really NEED this switch? There's a breaker in the cabin if I need to shut the WH off (and I won't get wet if it's raining). I'd like to bypass the switch if it isn't needed for anything.

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Old 03-19-2016, 02:02 AM   #2
WeBeFulltime
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Yes, you can bypass this switch as it is only necessary when a camper does not also have an inside switch. Make sure the power is OFF when you do the job!
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Old 03-19-2016, 02:05 AM   #3
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Only time ours has ever been touched was when we took it home the first time. Switch has been on ever since.
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Old 03-19-2016, 03:57 AM   #4
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we have bypassed on two of our rigs. We also always leave ours on and control from the wall switch.
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Old 03-19-2016, 04:40 AM   #5
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Mine melted, bypassed it and works fine. Use the inside switch on the panel or the breaker when I want to shut it off.
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Old 03-26-2016, 03:49 PM   #6
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Thanks, all. Bypassing the switch is on my to-do list.
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Old 03-27-2016, 02:08 AM   #7
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Just installed a lighted switch for the water heater yesterday for the inside. That way I can leave the little black switch on all the time on the outside and just control it on the inside. Done this mod on 2 previous 5ver's and has always worked with no problems with the switch.
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Old 06-26-2021, 06:57 AM   #8
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Angry 2002 fifth water heater

where is my switch for the gas water heater ? I have looked every where in the cabin and there is a [ looks like a white switch ] on the wall near the steps going to the bathroom. can some one help us, first timers with a Montana.
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Old 06-26-2021, 08:16 AM   #9
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Mine is a 2006 so maybe similar to yours. The white switch going up the stairs on mine serves two functions. The forward switch is for the on board water pump. The switch to the left of it is for gas operation of the water heater. The switch to control electric heating of water is outside toward the bottom on the face of the water heater. Black rocker switch almost hidden by the gas line. We use both gas and electric at the same time when back to back showers are needed.
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Old 06-26-2021, 08:35 AM   #10
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What year and model of Montana do you have? Answering these types of questions is easier (and tend to be more correct) when we know the specifics. I am guessing, from your MOC id, you have a 2002 Montana. Most of them had the gas water heater switch on the panel with all the other switches (lights, slides, etc.). But if you have a rear kitchen, I remember they put the switch, along with the water pump switch, near the sink, under the counter.
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Old 06-26-2021, 10:16 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by montana2002 View Post
where is my switch for the gas water heater ? I have looked every where in the cabin and there is a [ looks like a white switch ] on the wall near the steps going to the bathroom. can some one help us, first timers with a Montana.
My 2007 had a switch inside for the water heater on gas. But no inside switch for electric. For electric I had to go outside, remove the grill over the W/H, and turn on the little black switch down in the bottom left hand corner of the water heater.
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Old 06-26-2021, 11:46 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by montana2002 View Post
where is my switch for the gas water heater ? I have looked every where in the cabin and there is a [ looks like a white switch ] on the wall near the steps going to the bathroom. can some one help us, first timers with a Montana.
The outside switch is hidden here.
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Old 06-26-2021, 04:47 PM   #13
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The worst thing about that switch is it's an interior switch, they are worth about $1.00. Yes bypass!
Quote:
Originally Posted by treadaway View Post
There is an on-off switch on my water heater which looks like it cuts electrical power when heating with electricity. It's gone faulty for the second time.

Do I really NEED this switch? There's a breaker in the cabin if I need to shut the WH off (and I won't get wet if it's raining). I'd like to bypass the switch if it isn't needed for anything.

Opinions?
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Old 06-27-2021, 06:10 AM   #14
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Pretty sure yours is like mine and the WH is on a dedicated 120V breaker. You can leave the switch on the WH on all the time and control with the breaker. Or you can do what I did and go in behind the breaker panel and cut the wire between WH and breaker. Run a wire from both sides of your cut wire to a switch you mount to your wall.
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Old 08-19-2021, 06:54 PM   #15
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I have a 2018 Montana, does that switch also turn on power to the inside control panel for the heater??
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Old 08-19-2021, 11:11 PM   #16
Carl n Susan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Harwood View Post
I have a 2018 Montana, does that switch also turn on power to the inside control panel for the heater??
Short answer = YES
The switch on the panel inside has to be ON before power is available to the rocker switch in the outside compartment.
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