water heater switch

[ripp1202]

The electric water heater switch should be inside next to the propane switch with a pilot light and a warning sign not to turn on with out water! Now I feel better

 

[Bill]

I think the 2004 models, and maybe the 2003 models, have an inside switch just as you describe. It is an improvement, but you still have to remember to switch it off when you break camp. If you simply unplug the shore power cord, drain the water, move to another campground, and plug in the shore power cord, you will still burn out the heater element.

The switch on my 2002 was outside, which annoyed me. I installed an inside switch, but I went one better. I installed a "special" inside switch that automatically switches itself off when the shore power cord is unplugged. Then, at the next campsite, the heater stays "off" until I push the button to manually turn it on. And the need to turn it on manually reminds me to fill the water first. Absent-mindedness is no longer a problem.

The "special" switch is easy to build, but requires electrical skills. If you want to try, drop me a line.

Bill

 

[ripp1202]

Bill my trailer is a 2004 3023 electric switch is outside ,propane is inside under sink with pilot lite

 

[Bill]

The "special" switch is easy to build, but requires electrical skills. If you want to try, drop me a line.

Somehow I mucked up my Inbox. If you requested this info and didn't get it, please ask again. Sorry.

Bill

 

[ccc6588]

I Agree. TM could and should do much better with the owners manual. It, in my opinion, is almost adequate...

I agree. I think TM could and should do much better with the owners manual.

 

[JERR_C]

Electric Hot Water Heater

I Have A 1997 Tm And Have Trouble Lighting The Hot Water Heater, The Last Time We Camped, We Had To Use Cold Water And That Is Not Good To Bathe In, My Question Is, Can You Hook Up Electricty To An 1997 Tm Hot Water Heater Or Does It Have A Switch That I Can Not Find, If So Where Would I Find It.
Thanks For Any Help I Can Get.

Jerry In N.c.

 

[B_and_D]

See this thread:

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3008&highlight=water+heater

Our 97 2720 is solely gas for the hot water heater. The last time we used it it took quite a while to get both the hot water heater and the refrigerator lit, as we had changed propane tanks. I had to light the hot water heater before the refrigerator would light. Also turned on the stove & lit it. Usually, once there's gas in the lines, it lights right up.

 

[grlewis1]

Thanks ripp1202 for getting on the soapbox and making the first mod request for the 2008 models..... And Bills automatic switch sounds like the perfect solution... TM's getting better every year....Are you listening Michael and the TM engineers....

 

[mjlaupp]

To add electric heat to an older hot water heater:
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/...s/Lightning-Rod-for-Water-Heaters/prodID=5159
Mike

 

[Bill]

I'm not too sure about this one, Mike. Seems to me that $100 for a small (425 watt) heater that takes 45 minutes to give you warm water (hot takes twice as long) is not necessarily a good deal. Easy to install, I suppose. But for only $300, you can get a brand new replacement heater that will install in the same space as the old one. A new unit would be, first of all, new. If the old heater has some age on it, there are probably rust and latent pinholes accumulating in the tank which will call for replacement soon anyway. It would also be a propane/electric unit with a 1440-watt heater.

BTW, both prices are from Camping World, which tends to be expensive. You could probably do better on either of them elsewhere.

To each his own, I suppose.

Bill

 

[Not_w/o_the_cat]

They had an indoor switch on my friend's 5th wheel. I think this would be a nice add-on for TM.

 

[Bill]

A number of us have added an indoor switch, for exactly the reason you suggest. It can be as simple as a light switch, which is very easy to install. If you are electrically handy at all, and feel like doing a project, this is a good way to go.

A more complex approach is to install a relay which drops out when the main power cord is disconnected, and doesn't reconnect when the power cord is plugged back in. This prevents inadvertently applying power before the water heater is filled.

You should find references to both of these by using the Search tool.

Bill

 

[AstroBruce]

I installed a light switch for the water heater. Burned out 2 elements so far. Now I carry spares. Home Depot $6.79

 

[Scott O]

Bruce...sounds like a good idea. Can you give us a part number or some such to guide us in our search of the spacious and seemiingly endless aisles of Home Dopot? Thanks!

 

[AstroBruce]

I have a Suburban water heater with a screw in element. The Home Depot stock no. is 014717158961. The element tool stock no. is 014717154932. The element is 1500 watts and a little shorter than the original. I don't see that being a problem.