Switch in Hot water heater compartment

[jdvier]

Can someone tell me what the switch in the water heater compartment is for. I was told that it is to switch over to propane from electric.

[HamRad]

Jdvier,
The switch in the HWH compartment is to turn on the electric heating element in the tank. We just remove the little safety pin in it and turn it on and leave it on. Then inside we turn it on and off as needed. This switch has nothing to do with the propane.

We normally just have the electric on but if we anticipate needing a large volume of hot water we will also turn on the propane. Then turn it off after the big demand so as to save the propane.

Travel safely, Dennis.

[mtheo]

two things to remenber about the electric water heater, one besure to turn it off if you are going to use your generator. The secound, the try not to use the switch to turn on the WH after you have the power to the trailer. The switch is a little lite an can burn out by the surge of turning on under power. I went through 2 switchs before figuring this one out.

[DQDick]

When we winterized, back in the before full time period, I did use that switch. It's purpose is to keep you from turning on the water heater when it's not full of water or maybe even with the anode rod still out. Since we always stored the rig with the power plugged in there was always the odd chance that the inside switch could be turned on by accident somehow and no water be in the heater. I always put the rod back in, turned the water on, vented the air thru the safety valve and then turned the switch on. Full timing and going where it's warmer in the winter will solve those problems in ways that are much more fun.

[1retired06]

We leave the outside switch on permanently. Have not touched it since we bought the unit. We control the heater from the inside switches for propane and electricity. Critical factor, dont turn the HW on, unless tank is full of water.

[jdvier]

Thanks all for your information. I have never touched the outside switch. When seting up I vent the air and then turn on the electric switch inside. Always drain the WH before we travel. No need to carry the extra weight.