I turned on the 110v element of the hot water heater. The one mounted outside on the hot water heater.It has the anode rod. Yesterday, I tried to turn the switch off and it will not move. It is stuck in the on position.I have pressed a lot harder than normal. It won't move from the on position. Is this easy to replace?Pop, the switch out?Thoughts? PatI used the breaker to turn the hot water heater off.

Those water heater switches sometimes need wd-40. I gave up on mine and use the breaker. My WH is hardly ever used on 120 due to the air con usually being on, which puts a heck of a strain (and heat) on my connections.

It wasn't easy to replace mine which had fused due to the high current draw of the water and the cheap construction of the switch. I replaced it and now leave it on all the time. We have another on-off switch on the kitchen wall which we use and leave the heater switch in the on position. Lately we have been using just the propane to save wear and tear on the switch which would normally be turned on/off several times each day.

Those switches are notorious for failing. I learned early on to turn the breaker off and leave that cheap crappy switch alone.

Yes, they just pop out.water heater switch

Our K-Z Spree had a Suburban SW6DE water heater and because the electric heating element switch was located on the unit itself we rarely used that function. Finally I got tired of the silliness of having to go outside to turn the switch on/off, simply left it on, and wired this paddle switch in line with the 120 vac feeding the WH element. It has a light to indicate when power is on and is mounted in a convenient to reach location. In the OP's situation, assuming the WH switch is still passing power, I'd just leave it as is and install a switch inside the camper, just as I did in my Spree.

110 volt switch on hot water heater. | Good Sam Community

mchero
Explorer
Jan 19, 2019
You need to check the 120vac on both HWH and electrical panel.
wopachop
Explorer
Jan 19, 2019
I wasnt sure if it was still pulling power. My guess was element burned out but not true. Flipped the breaker and its 14.5 with the fridge so 11 again.

Its turned off and I bet you're correct on the loose connection. My temp splice after removing the stuck switch looks like it got warm. Totally not safe like you mentioned I have it all turned off. Will order a new switch.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Jan 19, 2019
wopachop wrote:

Do they normally pull 11amps? Thats what started the problem. Turned off power and hooked up an amp meter because i was curious. Flipped the water heater back on and read 11amp on the meter. Went inside the trailer 30 mins later and it smelled bad.

11 amps is about right so the heating element is working. There should be no odor from a failing element, so my guess is that you have a very bad connection on or near the water heater. That hot connection is a fire hazard, so find it before turning it back on. If the odor is in the water, then it is an anode or flushing issue.
wopachop
Explorer
Jan 19, 2019
Dusty R wrote:
HWH Hot Water Heater. How do you heat hot water?
Ive heard this joke for years but its true at times. It is a hot water heater.

I hear it cycle almost hourly in my trailer. There is hot water in the tank. Then the heater (gas or electric) turns on and heats the hot water even hotter. So yes, its in fact a hot water heater. This happens even if no cold water is introduced into the system.

Mine electric element seems to cycle on way to often. Same problem as others my switch got stuck.

I think my element burnt out the other day. Trailer smelled like burning electrical and water isnt hot. Heard its an easy repair but havnt looked into it yet.

Do they normally pull 11amps? Thats what started the problem. Turned off power and hooked up an amp meter because i was curious. Flipped the water heater back on and read 11amp on the meter. Went inside the trailer 30 mins later and it smelled bad.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2019
Dusty R wrote:
HWH Hot Water Heater. How do you heat hot water?

Ummmm, Dusty, do you know how many comedians out there that are looking for a job? :W

And Jay Pat, I need to get off my butt and transfer mine inside also.

Thanks for the feed back.
Dusty_R
Explorer
Jan 18, 2019
HWH Hot Water Heater. How do you heat hot water?
mchero
Explorer
Jan 18, 2019
wopachop wrote:
Do people who full time in RVs keep their water heater turned on all day on 120v?

We leave our HWH on electric 24/7.
wopachop
Explorer
Jan 18, 2019
Do people who full time in RVs keep their water heater turned on all day on 120v?
Retired_JSO
Explorer
Jan 11, 2019
Amazon has the switches based on Model number. Go get a light and look up inside the switch cavern. There is a twist on the wires that will keep it from pulling out. I got mine out far enough to use needle nose pliers to remove the wires from the old switch and onto the new.
Jay_Pat
Explorer
Jan 11, 2019
Follow up post!

I pulled/pried the stuck switch out using a tool with a 90 degree hook on the end.
The switch cleared the housing by about 3/8". There was no more slack in the wires. Just would not come out any farther.
Impossible for me to unplug and keep connectors from falling in the hole.
I had a rv mechanic doing other stuff and had him look at it.
He took the switch with the short wires and lifted up and out. More wire came out the hole.
The switch had 90 degree connectors and I was hitting the connector/wires, pointing down inside the opening.
All I had to do was lift up on the switch and more wire would have come out. Nuts!
He lengthen the wires to reach inside the rv to the water heater cover.
I'm currently looking for a indicator light switch to install on the cover.
This will probably be my last post on this subject.
It will be nice to have an indoor 110 volt switch for the hot water heater.
Thanks, for everyone's input!!!
Pat