i have a 98 starcraft that i bought used and according to the owners manual it says that the water heater has a gas and electric capability but i do not see a switch to turn on the electric portion. i know it has electric to it because i have verified the romex wire feeding the water heater plus the breaker is on to the unit. all i see in the cabinet is a one sided switch that has only one switch and a reset red button beside it. i am not sure of the model number it seems to be all rubbed off in all places that i can see. i do know that it is a surburban because of the owners manual it does have a control module on the back of the water heater but i do not see a switch in there either when i turn this switch on in the cabinet the gas will light up. does this do this automatically to help the with a faster recovery or do i need to look elsewhere for another switch

My water heater has a small switch outside on the heater for the electric element

With a volt meter and the TT plugged in to shore power see if you have current to the water heater. If you do, it has been hardwired in.(or the switch is hidden)

Mine has a switch outside. I have a mod (see my blogs) that I wired in a switch and indicator light.

"Hardwired in"?Unless it is an add-on accessory, the Suburban and Atwood water heaters with the electric option are all hardwired.Suburban: Electric switch located outside within the water heater access panel at the lower, left side.Atwood: Switch usually located on the back side of the case, usually accessable through a cabinet.

Usually the switch is inside the service panel (outside) i've never HEARD of any being "hard wired" as it would almost immediately burn up if you couldn't turn it off and the tank is empty.

water heater switch | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

24rules
Explorer
May 11, 2013
thankyou all i did finally find the switch on the outside of the water heater it was just well hidden by wires gas valve etc thanks again
Ex-Tech
Explorer
May 06, 2013
skipnchar wrote:
Usually the switch is inside the service panel (outside) i've never HEARD of any being "hard wired" as it would almost immediately burn up if you couldn't turn it off and the tank is empty.

By hard wired, I mean connected by romex and not plugged into an outlet.
Gene_Ginny
Explorer
May 05, 2013
ChooChooMan74 wrote:
... Off topic, was on your side of the bay at Seven Moons...YUM!!!
Nobody goes away from there hungry. :B You were only about a mile from my house.

OK, back on topic ...

On some units the only shutoff for the water heater is at the 110volt breaker switch.
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
May 05, 2013
Gene&Ginny wrote:
The only switches for my Atwood water heater were on the back of the heater on the junction box where the heating element connected to the AC wiring from the converter/breaker panel and the circuit breaker in the converter. I added this switch with a pilot light that is on when the switch is on. Turning it off and on from the breaker near the floor was a pain.

Dude, very similar to my Mod.

Off topic, was on your side of the bay at Seven Moons...YUM!!!
Gene_Ginny
Explorer
May 04, 2013
The only switches for my Atwood water heater were on the back of the heater on the junction box where the heating element connected to the AC wiring from the converter/breaker panel and the circuit breaker in the converter. I added this switch with a pilot light that is on when the switch is on. Turning it off and on from the breaker near the floor was a pain.
Ray552
Explorer
May 04, 2013
I do not know your model. But I have had problems finding a water heater switch. Get on our knees or get a chair and set down next to the water heater access door (outside). Then look for the switch, still not seeing it bend down and look up. I spent hours looking and cold not see it till I got on my knees to get lower. It was hiding behind some controls, wires and the gas tube. Not easy to see or touch.

It is located somewhere in that water heater access area.
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
May 04, 2013
Terryallan wrote:
CavemanCharlie wrote:
My brothers 5th wheel has a electric switch for the water heater that is outside the the camper underneath the water heater door. It's difficult to find it's hidden behind the gas controls. Once you find it it's even harder to get your finger on to switch it.

I feel your pain. that's where mine is. Have to open the access door to turn it on, and off.

Easy Fix

http://campinglifewithmatt.blogspot.com/2013/04/trailer-mod-electric-hot-water-switch.html
Terryallan
Explorer II
May 03, 2013
CavemanCharlie wrote:
My brothers 5th wheel has a electric switch for the water heater that is outside the the camper underneath the water heater door. It's difficult to find it's hidden behind the gas controls. Once you find it it's even harder to get your finger on to switch it.

I feel your pain. that's where mine is. Have to open the access door to turn it on, and off.
WayneAt63044
Explorer II
May 03, 2013
I once had a 1996 SunnyBrook trailer that that had a switch so that you could run either the microwave or the water heater on electric but not both at the same time. It was mounted in the kitchen cabinet.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
May 03, 2013
My brothers 5th wheel has a electric switch for the water heater that is outside the the camper underneath the water heater door. It's difficult to find it's hidden behind the gas controls. Once you find it it's even harder to get your finger on to switch it.