I'm not new to at this at all. I have had seven travel trailers but this one has got me stumped. I purchased a 2005 coachmen spirit of america 248TBG yesterday 10/7. It has a DSI water heater but for the life of me I can't find the on/off switch for it to work on electric. I have checked everywhere I can think of with no luck. I'm hoping it's just one those oh yeah you dummy it's right there things. So if someone can help me out with this or point me in the right direction "to the switch I hope" I would greatly appreciate it.Thanks, Jeff

I don't get on forums very much and never post anything. I may have put this in the wrong place. If so if would someone be so kind as to move it where it needs to be.Thanks, Jeff

No problem. Moved from Forum Technical Support

Welcome to rv.net!Is your DSI equipped with an electric element or is just a DSI model?Look for make and model number normally found in the exterior access around the frame.

Go outside and open the heater door, look on the bottom left the swich may be hiding behind something.

If you have a Suburban water heater, the electric switch is outside the RV on the lower left corner of the water heater. Open the water heater door and look in the lower left hand corner.

DSI Water heater On/Off Switch | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

dougrainer
Nomad
Oct 09, 2013
StickerMan13 wrote:
enblethen wrote:
Welcome to rv.net!
Is your DSI equipped with an electric element or is just a DSI model?
Look for make and model number normally found in the exterior access around the frame.

What is the difference from one with an electric element or just a DSI model ? I have always thought if it was DSI then it was Gas/Electric.

DSI------DIRECT SPARK IGNITION Means NO pilot light and uses a electronic Spark to ignite the flame. Has no relation to 120 Electric. Doug
enblethen
Nomad
Oct 09, 2013
G6a-8E is dsi. Best overall would be to replace theccomplete unit and not try to adpat.
StickerMan13
Explorer
Oct 09, 2013
Bobbo wrote:
Here is a link to an after market electric element that can be added to a propane only water heater. Much easier than replacing the water heater with a gas/electric model. Your Atwood heater doesn't have an anode rod so that won't be a problem.

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-water-heaters/hott-rod-water-heater.htm

That would be a lot cheaper. Thanks!
Bobbo
Explorer II
Oct 09, 2013
Here is a link to an after market electric element that can be added to a propane only water heater. Much easier than replacing the water heater with a gas/electric model. Your Atwood heater doesn't have an anode rod so that won't be a problem.

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-water-heaters/hott-rod-water-heater.htm
StickerMan13
Explorer
Oct 09, 2013
Thanks for everyone's help. Just goes to show no matter how long you have been doing this you learn something new all the time. Y'all are a great group of people.

Thanks again, Jeff
SAR_Tracker
Explorer
Oct 09, 2013
See the PDF File from Atwood. Page 4 explains the difference between electric, gas, and combinations.

Your model G6A-8E is strictly a gas unit.
StickerMan13
Explorer
Oct 09, 2013
How hard would it be to install a DSI gas/electric to replace this one wiring etc ?
Sea_scape
Explorer
Oct 09, 2013
The G6a 8e is listed as a propane only. The switch is separate from the water heater and could have been installed anywhere. Look for a switch with a light that you don't know what it does. You can download the manual and check if there is wiring to the terminals. Then figure where the wires go.
StickerMan13
Explorer
Oct 09, 2013
enblethen wrote:
Welcome to rv.net!
Is your DSI equipped with an electric element or is just a DSI model?
Look for make and model number normally found in the exterior access around the frame.

What is the difference from one with an electric element or just a DSI model ? I have always thought if it was DSI then it was Gas/Electric.
StickerMan13
Explorer
Oct 09, 2013
K Charles wrote:
Go outside and open the heater door, look on the bottom left the swich may be hiding behind something.

I have looked everywhere inside the water door. Nothing to be found.

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DSI Water heater On/Off Switch

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