Forum Discussion

Bluebeard's avatar
Bluebeard
Explorer
Aug 17, 2015

Hot water heater switch(es)?

I'm getting ready to go out on the maiden voyage of my new (to me) 2002 Artic Fox 24-5N 5'er and I have a perplexing question:

In the kitchen, there are (2) switches for the water heater. One is a big flat and black lighted rocker switch that says "Hot Water Heater), which I would expect that I turn on to use the hot water heater, and the lighted switch lights up. However, on the backsplash of the stove top is another wall type switch (looks like a white 120v light switch) which has a sticker below it that states "Switch to remain in OFF position until water heater is full of water"- so why do I have 2 water heater switches?
  • edbehnke's avatar
    edbehnke
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2015
    one is electric....make sure you have the tank FULL of water. that would be your 120 volt.
    the other is for your propand gas. turn this on and listen to the ignition.
  • 4aSong's avatar
    4aSong
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2015
    Our travel trailer has two, One switch for GAS and the other for ELECTRIC.
  • imjustdave's avatar
    imjustdave
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2015
    My Arctic Fox also has a 120 V switch in the Water heater cabinet. As I have been told it take about 2 seconds to fry the electric heater element if the tank is empty. I believe they started putting a switch in the tank area so when you drain it or work on it you can turn it off right there, so if someone not in the know doesn't burn up the element by flipping the switch inside. But yeah you should have a gas only switch with a DSI light to blink if it fails to start and 120V option with the switch in the tank area.
  • n7bsn's avatar
    n7bsn
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2015
    There is also a switch inside the door of the water-heater that needs to be on.
    This one is there to help prevent someone from turning on the electric if the tank is dry.

    One thing I did, on both my 99 24-5N and now the 2012 29-5E is replace that switch with a switch that has a light in it that lights when the switch is ON. This helps keep me from having that switch ON when I don't want it on.

    We really loved our 24-5N, it has an amazing amount of storage for a rig that small, and the largest closet of any rig that small.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Aug 17, 2015
    Sounds like you have an additional ON/OFF switch for 120V AC electric element has been added into the circuit probably by previous owner ("(looks like a white 120v light switch"----mfg. would have just used a rocker switch)

    Suburban's come with an ON/OFF switch in outside compartment lower left corner.
    Up to RV MFG. to install another one OR not.....lots don't

    BUT same holds true for Atwoods prior to 2004..they had an ON/OFF switch on cover over electric element on backside of water heater.
    Depending on access to backside an additional ON/Off switch could also be installed.
  • Bluebeard's avatar
    Bluebeard
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2015
    Thanks for the clarification, gang- I appreciate it.

    To n7bsn: We were trying to downsize from a 24 foot Cougar TT, and when we saw the AF 24-5N, we fell in love. One of my main issues with all trailers is the manufacturers try to fit EVERYTHING in the trailer to the extent that there isn't any space to put stuff. The designers of the 24 created a floor plan that has an amazing amount of space. We have lots of empty spaces. Eventually I guess we will fill them. I look forward to towing it, but from what I understand, it is a bit heavy- I just installed air bags on my HD2500 to help out.
  • n7bsn's avatar
    n7bsn
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2015
    Bluebeard wrote:
    Thanks for the clarification, gang- I appreciate it.

    To n7bsn: We were trying to downsize from a 24 foot Cougar TT, and when we saw the AF 24-5N, we fell in love. One of my main issues with all trailers is the manufacturers try to fit EVERYTHING in the trailer to the extent that there isn't any space to put stuff. The designers of the 24 created a floor plan that has an amazing amount of space. We have lots of empty spaces. Eventually I guess we will fill them. I look forward to towing it, but from what I understand, it is a bit heavy- I just installed air bags on my HD2500 to help out.


    Have you opened the stairs? I used to keep my clean "grubby" cloths in the stair that lead to the bedroom. DW kept canned goods in the other.

    We also put an accordion door, like the one between the bath and bedroom, between the bath and main room. Gave us a "changing area" there between the bath and the closet

    The is also a void under the TV cabinet, I didn't do anything with it, but a friend modified it to store pet food.

    The 24-5N has a cargo rating of over 3000 lbs, so you can load, lots
  • n7bsn's avatar
    n7bsn
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2015
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Sounds like you have an additional ON/OFF switch for 120V AC electric element has been added into the circuit probably by previous owner ("(looks like a white 120v light switch"----mfg. would have just used a rocker switch) ....


    The factory installs that switch, that's the switch I changed to a "lighted when on" switch

About Fifth Wheel Group

19,006 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 13, 2025