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Old 05-08-2019, 10:27 AM   #1
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Moving the HW tank Electric switch

Has anyone "moved" the electric toggle switch for the electric element from outside to inside the camper? Seems silly to me to have to go out and open the cover to turn the element on and off, and make me more likely to forget to turn it off.
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Old 05-08-2019, 10:34 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by Lou_Becky View Post
Has anyone "moved" the electric toggle switch for the electric element from outside to inside the camper? Seems silly to me to have to go out and open the cover to turn the element on and off, and make me more likely to forget to turn it off.
Yes . you can leave the switch in place . Though i removed my switch as it burnt up and just hard wired water heater and then installed a lighted switch inside so i can turn on and off . pull the inside access off for access to the wiring and from there you can wire in a switch and run wire to a desired location
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Old 05-08-2019, 10:37 AM   #3
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I’m in the midst of doing this exact modification in our Georgetown.
Not sure what kind of rig you have.
For me, I’m going to install a simple 15amp in-line switch beside my power panel located in our bedroom. That panel has your 110volt breakers and your 12volt fuses for your house lights, fans, etc.
Right below the 15amp breaker for the water heater behind the silver cover panel, (secured by 2 screws shown) you’ll see the black wire screwed to the breaker connection. I’m just going to splice my switch in between that lead, and mount the switch beside as shown in my photo.
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Old 05-08-2019, 10:45 AM   #4
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I installed a pilot light switch in my bathroom to turn the electric water heater on/off. If the 110VAC outlet the WH plugs into is a "speed outlet" like this one:

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you will need to replace it with an electrical box and a residential outlet. You'll also need an electrical box for the switch.

Here's the new electrical box for my WH outlet:

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Here's the electrical box for my new switch.

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Here's the final install.

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I've attached the wiring diagram for you. You'll need a length of 12 gauge 3-conductor plus ground wire to go from the new switch to the residential WH outlet.
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Old 05-08-2019, 12:46 PM   #5
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Use one of these. Rated at 15 amp.

DEWENWILS Outdoor Indoor Remote Control Outlet Power Strip Weatherproof, Expandable Wireless Electrical Plug in Light Switch, 15 AMP Heavy Duty, 7" Extension Cord, 100 FT Range, ETL Listed, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GXCYWRQ..._NwX0CbEDZ2XNK
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Old 05-08-2019, 01:56 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lou_Becky View Post
Has anyone "moved" the electric toggle switch for the electric element from outside to inside the camper? Seems silly to me to have to go out and open the cover to turn the element on and off, and make me more likely to forget to turn it off.
I took the easy path and leave the outside switch on and turn the circuit breaker inside on an off.
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Old 05-08-2019, 02:02 PM   #7
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My annoyance with this is that is I do forget to turn it off and plug in with the tank dry I can burn up the coil. Seems I do not understand why they down have something like a latching relay that when you unplug it releases and you have to turn it back on again.
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Old 05-08-2019, 02:05 PM   #8
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The Suburban models that have two switches for the electric side utilize a 12v DC over 120v AC relay. The inside switch controls the coil on the relay and the contacts in the relay simply switch the 120v.

I'm glad my R/V has this. We simply leave the outside switch on always.
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Old 05-08-2019, 02:11 PM   #9
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Was suggested to me when I bought my first to only use gas for HW because of that..... forgetting to turn the switch Off. We only run the heater when we want a shower. takes 10 minutes to heat and that water in tank stays warm all day. Have only turner the electric heater on once during an emergency. (ran out of gas)
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Old 05-08-2019, 02:17 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by Lou_Becky View Post
My annoyance with this is that is I do forget to turn it off and plug in with the tank dry I can burn up the coil. Seems I do not understand why they down have something like a latching relay that when you unplug it releases and you have to turn it back on again.
I understand your dilemma with having a dry tank. My tank always has water in it unless I put it in sturage then I have a check off list so I don't forget.
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Old 05-08-2019, 02:25 PM   #11
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My unit has a switch inside and one outside.
The one outside stays on and I control electric HW heater by switch inside.
Only turn off switch outside as well as switch off breaker when tank is drained, element or rod will be out.
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Old 05-08-2019, 04:29 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lou_Becky View Post
Has anyone "moved" the electric toggle switch for the electric element from outside to inside the camper? Seems silly to me to have to go out and open the cover to turn the element on and off, and make me more likely to forget to turn it off.
You can just use the breaker switch at your load center. The WH has its own breaker.
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Old 05-08-2019, 04:33 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockfordroo View Post
I installed a pilot light switch in my bathroom to turn the electric water heater on/off. If the 110VAC outlet the WH plugs into is a "speed outlet" like this one:

Attachment 204085

you will need to replace it with an electrical box and a residential outlet. You'll also need an electrical box for the switch.

Here's the new electrical box for my WH outlet:

Attachment 204086

Here's the electrical box for my new switch.

Attachment 204087

Here's the final install.

Attachment 204088

I've attached the wiring diagram for you. You'll need a length of 12 gauge 3-conductor plus ground wire to go from the new switch to the residential WH outlet.
I did something similar but we added a circuit for our "Scare" lights.

They aer beneath the camper and we turn them on at night. Keeps critters, "coons, etc", away from under the camper.
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Old 05-08-2019, 07:17 PM   #14
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I did something similar but we added a circuit for our "Scare" lights.

They aer beneath the camper and we turn them on at night. Keeps critters, "coons, etc", away from under the camper.
Ok what's a scare light ? never seen critters run from lights .
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Old 05-08-2019, 07:58 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by rlh1957 View Post
My unit has a switch inside and one outside.
The one outside stays on and I control electric HW heater by switch inside.
Only turn off switch outside as well as switch off breaker when tank is drained, element or rod will be out.
My 5th wheel is similar to this. My water heater runs on gas most of the time and does not heat at all when both switches are not on. When I am on shore power the water heater runs on electricity automatically if the switches are on. I have noticed my water is very hard and I go through a rod a year or so. I may have to replace my element because of that.
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Old 05-08-2019, 08:20 PM   #16
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Ok what's a scare light ? never seen critters run from lights .
5 LED Puck lights wired up and located at all 4 corners and one opposite the steps. Coons, possums, armadillos even pigs, etc. are mostly nocturnal and avoid lights if at all possible.

Scoff it you like, it works. Many around here use them because we live in a land of many critters.
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Old 05-09-2019, 10:42 AM   #17
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remote switch

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Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody View Post
Use one of these. Rated at 15 amp.

DEWENWILS Outdoor Indoor Remote Control Outlet Power Strip Weatherproof, Expandable Wireless Electrical Plug in Light Switch, 15 AMP Heavy Duty, 7" Extension Cord, 100 FT Range, ETL Listed, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GXCYWRQ..._NwX0CbEDZ2XNK
how to connect this to the water heater switch which doesn't have a plug on mine, just a tiny switch which is sorta hidden and enclosed.
thank you
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Old 05-09-2019, 11:57 AM   #18
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5 LED Puck lights wired up and located at all 4 corners and one opposite the steps. Coons, possums, armadillos even pigs, etc. are mostly nocturnal and avoid lights if at all possible.

Scoff it you like, it works. Many around here use them because we live in a land of many critters.
Not scoffing just never heard of scare lights .
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Old 05-09-2019, 11:59 AM   #19
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how to connect this to the water heater switch which doesn't have a plug on mine, just a tiny switch which is sorta hidden and enclosed.
thank you
Check on the back of the heater, inside the camper. Most are not direct wired, they are just a typical cord plugged into a wall outlet.
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