Hi,Quick question. On our water heater, we have a switch to turn on the electric portion of the water heater so it uses electricity rather than propane. Unlike the fridge, which detects if it is connected to a power source, will the electric water heater attempt to use the batteries if this switch is flicked on? I've gone through my manuals and it only explains what the switch does, but nothing further. Thanks!

No,it won't use battery power.Good Luck, Mike

Thank you for the quick answer! If this switch is in the on position and we are not plugged in, will it still attempt to use propane to fire up the water heater?Apologies for my ignorance!

markliso wrote:Thank you for the quick answer! If this switch is in the on position and we are not plugged in, will it still attempt to use propane to fire up the water heater?Apologies for my ignorance!Welcome to RV.NET.No. There should be a separate switch for operating on propane.

What year is your RV?On the older models like my Fleetwood fiver, I have to manually go out and light the pilot light for my propane side of water heater to light.You should have auto pilot lighter if newer model that works when you turn on the propane side of water heater. Mine has both electric and propane and I only use propane side for most part. Many rv parks don't like or don't allow electric water heater unless you have metered electric

The electric portion of you water heater is AC (shore power) only. It doesn't even know the battery (DC) exists.

Electric Water Heater | Good Sam Community

wa8yxm
Explorer III
May 24, 2014
powderman426 wrote:
downtheroad wrote:
Tip:
Also...make sure that you water heater has water in it BEFORE you turn on the electric side...if not it will burn out the heating element very quickly.

This is most likely the reason they had tape over the switch.

DTR is correct.. This is why the winterization instruction for my Water heater say to remove a wire from the ECO thermostat.

If you try to turn on the water heater, either Gas or Electric, with the wire disconnected you get the FAULT light and I mean NOW.
markliso
Explorer
May 24, 2014
I remember from my last trailer ( didn't have as many options as this one ) to always make sure there is water in the heater tank before using.

Thanks so much for everyone's answers, very helpful!!!!
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
May 23, 2014
powderman426 wrote:
downtheroad wrote:
Tip:
Also...make sure that you water heater has water in it BEFORE you turn on the electric side...if not it will burn out the heating element very quickly.

This is most likely the reason they had tape over the switch.

X2.....good simple idea.
Doesn't take long to burn out an AC electric heat element if turned on without water in water heater tank.
The element is submerged in the water which absorbs the heat from element and keeps element from frying.
powderman426
Explorer
May 23, 2014
downtheroad wrote:
Tip:
Also...make sure that you water heater has water in it BEFORE you turn on the electric side...if not it will burn out the heating element very quickly.

This is most likely the reason they had tape over the switch.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
May 23, 2014
The only way the Water heater can use batteries is if you do a very poor job of installing a very large inverter... So the answer is no it won't.

On my coach the fridge will not go to 12 volt power either I can switch it so it gets power via the inverter, but normally that is not done. (Manual transfer switch) (I do this because the bedroom is on the same breaker, I switch the Manual switch to OFF, then lock the Fridge on PROPANE, then switch only the bedroom, and in the old days the ice maker, to INVERTER) that way all my plug in stuff like the cell phone charger work).
GMT830
Explorer
May 23, 2014
sharker6 wrote:
To heat water real quick you can use both gas and electric.

That's what I do.

I have the gas thermostat set just a bit below the electric. AC maintains the temp and little things like washing your hands and a couple dishes won't kick on the propane. But shower time and the propane comes on pretty quickly which allows a slightly longer shower.

BTW, Anyone know if the Electric thermostat is adjustable? Just the DW and I so I could crank it up for even more stored BTUs.
downtheroad
Explorer
May 23, 2014
Tip:
Also...make sure that you water heater has water in it BEFORE you turn on the electric side...if not it will burn out the heating element very quickly.
jasult
Explorer
May 23, 2014
sharker6 wrote:
To heat water real quick you can used both gas and electric.

agreed ;)
sharker6
Explorer
May 23, 2014
To heat water real quick you can use both gas and electric.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
May 23, 2014
markliso wrote:
2015 Cherokee 274DBH

I have a switch on the inside of the trailer to turn on the water heater. On the outside located on the water heater itself, it has a separate switch (simply On/off) which the manual simply states is to turn on the electric part of the water heater and it won't run propane (as it will keep the temp at x degrees).

Basically, if the switch is off, the propane will kick in. If the switch is on, it runs off electricity but I was unsure of whether it was connected to the battery at all.

Funny thing was, there was a piece of tape over the switch, i stumbled upon when dewinterizing for the first time and then read the manual.

Thanks for the responses :)

Mine's the same way; to run on electric (AC), I switch my water heater OFF at the main panel (this controls propane operation only) and then go outside, open the cover, and flip the little rocker switch to run it on electric. Weird setup IMO.