Just inherited a 34' 2000 Komfort 5th wheel. I am trying to change the hot water tank from propane to electric but cannot find the switch inside or outside of the 5th wheelAny ideasAlso, will the electric hot water tank work on 30 amp ( if I find it !!!)

Yes it will work on 30 amps. It probably only draws 5-8 amps..and that is only until it gets hot. Then it will shut off.

I think it also depends if your HW tank is setup to run on electric?? Not all of them are and when they do, the switch is usually around where the switch is to run it on gas...Have you verified that you indeed have a 120v optioned HW tank?Good luck!Mitch

My electric switch is outside on the tank itself. Hard to see unless you open the access cover and are looking for it.The gas switch is on the wall inside above the h/w heater.

Couple of possibilities... 1. You don't have the electric option, so there would be no switch. 2. When the electric option is installed there is an off/on switch inside the water heater (from outside the rig). Small switch on the lower left hand side marked On/Off. 3. Look into any cabinet or access panel behind the water heater. Our current rig doesn't have any other switch, but has a regular plug/wall outlet in the cabinet behind the heater. Our last rig had a switch mounted underneath the kitchen cabinets right above the sink area that turned on the AC heater.

Our previous rig was a Komfort TT and the switch was right on the water heater on the outside - had to take the cover off and do it there. Current rig, the switch is on the inside in the control panel.

looking for switch to change hot water tank to electric

lakeside013104
Explorer
May 14, 2013
On our Suburban Brand hot water heater we have an On/Off switch located outside the RV at the inside of the exterior access panel. Turn this switch on AND the inside panel 120V switch on and you will have H2O heated by electricty, only. Also, on the inside panel there is a 12V switch that controls the LPG side of the heater. Turn this 12V switch on alone and LPG heats the H2O. Turn both inside switches on (12V & 120V) and the H2O will be heated by both LPG & electric at the same time (provided the On/Off switch inside the exterior access panel is in the On position). Hope this helps.

Lakeside
Weldon
Explorer
May 14, 2013
I leave the outside electric switch on all the time. If I decide to turn off electric I do it with the circuit breaker for the HW heater. Been doing this for 8 years and no problem.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
May 14, 2013
Just more confusion.......

Our Atwood 10 gallon has double switch on inside panel..one electric, one gas and no other switch

Really depends on which Brand and Model of water heater you have.

Is yours a Suburban Brand or an Atwood Brand and which model?
Both brands have made changes over the years in how they operate.
greende
Explorer II
May 14, 2013
Remember, there are two major brands of water heaters for the RV industry (there may be other minor ones). Suburban and Atwood. Suburban TYPICALLY has one switch on the inside controlling the LP side of things while the switch outside on the WH controls the electric. Atwood USUALLY has a double switch on the inside that controls both with a switch on the outside to disable the electric if desired.
john_bet
Explorer II
May 14, 2013
gailgold wrote:
I have to admit that I am totally confused re: inside switch/outside switch on the hot water heater. I just picked up my new 5th wheel. Did a rapid walk through at the dealers, and have our first trip out this coming weekend. The switch is set to ön" at the outside water heater compartment. Water system has been primed. So when I hook up, do I turn the inside water heater switch to ÖN" also? I have read the instructions 30 times, and am scared to death to do anything at this point. Yes, this is a very new newbie asking the question.... Thanks! This forum has been SO helpful!
I have one very big caution for you since you are a little confused. DO NOT have the electric SW. ON with an empty tank as you will have a burned out element real QUICK.
jimmyfred
Explorer
May 14, 2013
gailgold wrote:
I have to admit that I am totally confused re: inside switch/outside switch on the hot water heater. I just picked up my new 5th wheel. Did a rapid walk through at the dealers, and have our first trip out this coming weekend. The switch is set to ön" at the outside water heater compartment. Water system has been primed. So when I hook up, do I turn the inside water heater switch to ÖN" also? I have read the instructions 30 times, and am scared to death to do anything at this point. Yes, this is a very new newbie asking the question.... Thanks! This forum has been SO helpful!

.........The electricial heating element has it's own switch ! The "Other" switch turns on the power to the Igniter to light the propane........it should have a red light that will come on , then go off because there is gas present . If you are out of propane the red light will come on and STAY ON telling you there is NO propane present . , jf
Us_out_West
Explorer
May 14, 2013
On ours yes there is an on/off switch on the water heater outside.

On the inside we have 2 switches....one for electric and one for propane.

Again as someone mentioned make sure you run water into the water heater before using either propane or electric.
gailgold
Explorer
May 14, 2013
THANK YOU! That is the first time it has been explained clearly to me! :-)
fj12ryder
Explorer III
May 14, 2013
The outside switch turns the electric power on for the water heater.

The inside switch turns on the propane for the water heater.

They are completely independent of one another. If you have inside switch "On" and the outside switch "On" then you will be heating your water with both electric and gas. If you have the outside switch "On" and the inside switch "Off" then you are using only electric. If you have the outside switch "Off" and the inside switch "On" then you are using only propane.

You can use only gas, only electric, or both at the same time. The main thing is to remember to turn off the electric component before you drain the water heater. Running the electric heater element with no water in the tank will burn it out very quickly. I turn my outside switch "Off" when I unhook just so I don't forget to have it off when empty.
gailgold
Explorer
May 14, 2013
I have to admit that I am totally confused re: inside switch/outside switch on the hot water heater. I just picked up my new 5th wheel. Did a rapid walk through at the dealers, and have our first trip out this coming weekend. The switch is set to ön" at the outside water heater compartment. Water system has been primed. So when I hook up, do I turn the inside water heater switch to ÖN" also? I have read the instructions 30 times, and am scared to death to do anything at this point. Yes, this is a very new newbie asking the question.... Thanks! This forum has been SO helpful!