illuminated hot water tank switch (update)

[TOM_F]

New to Me, 2006 HR Admiral, the AC switch for the hot water tank does not illuminate when turned on. It is working as we get hot water and I can see the amp draw jump on the control panel when turned on. I bought a new one and the same thing no light. There are three wires on the back of the switch, heavy black, heavy green and light weight white that is jumpered to two other lighted switches. This is not affecting the tank just a little OCD that I like things to work as they should.

update
After all your input I did some more checking. and found the black wire jumpered to the 12V gas switch. the two switches where identical so I swapped them around and now have a light when turned on Ac and no light when turned on gas, but still fires. While the new switch has the same ratings as for voltage and amps it did come from the hardware store, so off to the RV dealer Monday and see if their switch will work.

[TOM_F]

It turned out that the replacement switch I bought was bad also. Picked a new one up today and bingo, works perfect.

[wa8yxm]

Where I lived when I had a sticks & Bricks there was an electronics supply house, the kind of store where "Joe's TV" shops for parts.

They had (Still do) have a bin (More than one) of indicator lamp assemblies.. They come in 120 volt (two black wires) and 12 volt (black/red) and assorted colors (No list as color don't matter for this post).

These mount in about a quarter inch hole (well, perhaps 7/32" or there abouts) with only a "Speed nut" on the back side They are plastic tubes, about 2" long wires out one end lens (And metal ring) other.

I wired one in parallel with the water heater.. So switch on, Little green light next to switch on.

I use a bunch of these for assorted reasons around the "house" for example I have a Jacks Down indicator I included on my home made jack control panel... Yup, same indicator (only red this time) I use them to detect 12 volt present on some interlock lines. I bought a small handful.. Still have a few left.

[Lantley]

Tom N wrote:

Lantley wrote:
I had a 2006 RV, the water heater light would only illuminate if the heater failed to light when used in propane mode.
The purpose of the light was to let you know the heater failed to light and was not working.
If I saw the light was on I knew I needed to re-ignite the heater.

The light the OP is referring to is for electric water heater use.

There is another switch with a separate light for propane use.

-Tom

Oops I stand corrected thanks

[Tom_N]

Lantley wrote:
I had a 2006 RV, the water heater light would only illuminate if the heater failed to light when used in propane mode.
The purpose of the light was to let you know the heater failed to light and was not working.
If I saw the light was on I knew I needed to re-ignite the heater.

The light the OP is referring to is for electric water heater use.

There is another switch with a separate light for propane use.

-Tom

[dougrainer]

On your model, did you buy a 120 volt switch? The Switch on Monaco/HR products for the 120 side of the Water Heater is 12 volts NOT a 120 switch. I have run into this before. Customers assumed it was a 120 switch because it powered the 120 side. NOT SO on Monaco/HR products. The 12 volt switch activates a 120 relay by the water heater. The switch will state 120 or 12 volt on it. Doug

[Lantley]

I had a 2006 RV, the water heater light would only illuminate if the heater failed to light when used in propane mode.
The purpose of the light was to let you know the heater failed to light and was not working.
If I saw the light was on I knew I needed to re-ignite the heater.

[BB_TX]

Three wires for a lighted switch to show it is on is common.
One wire from the power source (AC distribution panel) to one side of the switch.
Second wire from the other side of the switch to the controlled device (the water heater element).
Third wire from the light to ground or neutral (in this case neutral).
The other side of the light would be connected internally to the load side of the switch.
The first two wires would be sized for the load (I.e. the amps required for the heater element).
The other wire would only need to carry the light bulb current.
Only surprise is that one wire is green. I would have expected two large black and a small white. I am guessing the large green wire goes to the heating element?
Do the other lights work correctly?
(This is assuming the switch controls the heater directly rather than thru a relay.)

[Tom_N]

Here is the correct reply......

The light in the switch should illuminated when the switch is ON.

I just had the same problem.

I found a replacement switch on eBay.

Switch 12V ON OFF 3 Prongs Red Lighted

-Tom

[wolfe10]

Working as it should.

You can install a small LED next to the switch, as I did, that is wired to alert you that the water heater is on. Under $4.

[enblethen]

The switch may operate the elemnt directly and should be 120 volts if that is the case. Jumpering the white wire to other switches which could be 12 volts DC is not right.
What is the make and model of the water heataer?

[Old-Biscuit]

That light may not come on until there is a 'fault'.

Mine only comes on when gas fails to light or ECO (high temp t-stat) has opened, and on electric if ECO opens. (Atwood model)