What is this switch for?

[Flatfive]

We have a 2002 Fleetwood Prowler Lynx, Northwest Edition, 20' long.
We have yet to spend a night in it but we're getting ready for a trip. We're learning lots about the trailer. Had to replace the converter yesterday. But we still don't know what this big switch is for.

Well, I tried to post an image but it's not easy. The switch is just below the sink on the front of the cabinet. It's big and says "ON" and "OFF" but nothing else. I followed the wires (Romex) but they disappeared behind the pantry wall.

[Old-Biscuit]

Boon Docker wrote:
Someone is not paying attention. :B

:S

[Boon_Docker]

Someone is not paying attention. :B

[nineoaks2004]

It could be the switch for a hot water heater (conversion)kit. I did one on a MH and the switch looks similar. I guess one way to find out is turn it on and look at what comes on and goes off when the switch is then turned off. I also could be a switch for reefer fans.

[Drbolasky]

mrgreetis wrote:
Don't know if you can do this with all brands of TT, but I just turned the breaker (120V)for the electric water heater off to prevent burning out the element.

Yes, this is standard operating procedure for us. The breaker doesn't get turned on until we are hooked up to water and the tank is full.

The circuit breakers in your panel should be labelled. If not, a worthwhile and quick project that will save you time in the future.

[mrgreetis]

Don't know if you can do this with all brands of TT, but I just turned the breaker (120V)for the electric water heater off to prevent burning out the element.

[Old-Biscuit]

chr$ wrote:
Cover it...

http://www.arnev.com/SwitchGards.html

width=800>

Smart move.......cheaper than replacing electric element when you find it burnt out due to no water in water heater

[chr_]

Cover it...

http://www.arnev.com/SwitchGards.html

width=800>

[JIMNLIN]

Flatfive wrote:
Thanks, again everyone. I did put some water in the tank and turn on the switch. After a couple of hours there was hot water even though the propane switch was off! Now I know. It is a funny place for the switch and (even worse) the switch is easily flipped, but at least now I know what it's for!

Typical location for many RV's in the late '90s and early '00s.
My '97 5er has the switch for the water tank electric element in the same location.
I added a small green led light to the rocker switch cover so we could tell on from off.

[Old-Biscuit]

Flatfive wrote:
Thanks, again everyone. I did put some water in the tank and turn on the switch. After a couple of hours there was hot water even though the propane switch was off! Now I know. It is a funny place for the switch and (even worse) the switch is easily flipped, but at least now I know what it's for!

Did you look for which Brand/model of WH???

[Flatfive]

Thanks, again everyone. I did put some water in the tank and turn on the switch. After a couple of hours there was hot water even though the propane switch was off! Now I know. It is a funny place for the switch and (even worse) the switch is easily flipped, but at least now I know what it's for!

[Bucky_Badger]

All I could afford wrote:
This may sound silly but you could try filling your hot water heater with whatever but not turning on the propane. Then flip the switch in question and come back two hours later and see if you have hot water. Or if you have and in line electrical consumption meter like the one I got from Harbor freight for $15, you could fill the hot water heater with water just to be safe, and observe any change in electrical consumption before and after flipping the switch. My aftermarket electric hot water element only draws 450 W, but factory option heaters tend to be significantly more

While that is a good idea to try, OP if someone has been switching it on without water in the heater they may have burned it out.

[All_I_could_aff]

This may sound silly but you could try filling your hot water heater with whatever but not turning on the propane. Then flip the switch in question and come back two hours later and see if you have hot water. Or if you have and in line electrical consumption meter like the one I got from Harbor freight for $15, you could fill the hot water heater with water just to be safe, and observe any change in electrical consumption before and after flipping the switch. My aftermarket electric hot water element only draws 450 W, but factory option heaters tend to be significantly more

[Old-Biscuit]

Flatfive wrote:
As I said I tried to fillow the wires but they disappear up the wall beyween the shower and the pantry. It's not for a water filter, which doesn't use electricity. There is another switch for the 12V water pump. Maybe the water heater has a 110V option as well as propane. I'll look into that. Thanks, all.

Just post Brand Model.that will tell if WH is electric/propane
S/B on side of frame in outside compartment

Suburban.......
SW6DE would be a 6 gallon gas/electric
SW6D would just be 6 gallon gas only

Atwood.........
GC6A-3E would be a 6 gallon gas/electric
G6A-3E would just be 6 gallon gas only

[BuckyBadger]

See if the drain plug has been replaced with a hottrod