Water Heater

[kscr4]

Just purchased a 06 828ss 5er. Just returned from first trip and the water heater would not work off electricity...gas was fine. Today I started looking to replace the element on the suburban WH. Removed what I thought was the drain plug and discovered it was an anode rod. There is an on-off switch next to the element outside behind the WH door. Is that the switch that turns the element on that supplies electricity. Our last TT had the gas and electric switches inside.
There are two switches inside..one for gas operation and the other is for tank heater. Is the tank heater for the gray and black water holding tanks?
Thanks for any help.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by kscr4

Just purchased a 06 828ss 5er. Just returned from first trip and the water heater would not work off electricity...gas was fine. Today I started looking to replace the element on the suburban WH. Removed what I thought was the drain plug and discovered it was an anode rod. There is an on-off switch next to the element outside behind the WH door. Is that the switch that turns the element on that supplies electricity. Our last TT had the gas and electric switches inside.
There are two switches inside..one for gas operation and the other is for tank heater. Is the tank heater for the gray and black water holding tanks?
Thanks for any help.

Yes you found the HW heater switch.
If your water heater is like mine to have it work on electric you must go outside and open the hot water cover. In the lower left rear hidden behind stuff you will find a little switch with a pin running thru it. Remove the pin and turn the electric on for the hot water heater. This is a safety feature. Hope this answers your question.\

Now the other swtich inside that says Tank Heaters are for your grey and black water tanks during winter so they do not freeze.

[kscr4]

Thanks Iggy..I found a toggle switch but it did not have a pin thru it...I will replace the anode rod tomorrow, fill the tank and flip the switch. Hopefully we'll be good to go.

[kscr4]

Whew!! I replaced the annode rod today after flushing out the water heater...filled the tank and flipped on the on/off switch outside on the WH...wahla...hot water. Thought I was gonna have to replace the element but nadah.

[Dave_Monica]

BTW, you can leave the electric switch on the water heater in the 'on' position outside, under the access panel and turn the heater 'off' and 'on' with the breaker inside the fuse panel of the camper. Much more convenient. Make sure that there's water in the heater otherwise you'll burn out the element when powered up.

Dave

[kscr4]

That's what I'm thinking..our last camper, a Coachman, had the switch mounted inside. That's what threw me on this one. I'll check to see if WH is on circuit by itself, if so I'll just flip the breaker.
Thanks

[aintgotnun]

Originally Posted by Dave_Monica

BTW, you can leave the electric switch on the water heater in the 'on' position outside, under the access panel and turn the heater 'off' and 'on' with the breaker inside the fuse panel of the camper. Much more convenient. Make sure that there's water in the heater otherwise you'll burn out the element when powered up.

Dave

Yes you can and I've done that but........ I've also failed before to fill my HW tank before flipping on the breaker inside. Now I use both switches as a "Hey dummy! Make sure you fill up the HW tank before flippin all them dang switches!!" But that's just me. Sometimes it takes a 2x4 to knock some sense into me. At least that's what my wife says....

[2manytoyz]

Wadda dumb place for the switch!

[kscr4]

Exactly what I said..well not exactly but close to it!

[Dave_Monica]

I was planning to shut off the external switch and re-install the hairpin safety clip when I drain the water heater when wintering. Hopefully that will prevent me from having to slap the "stupid" button in the middle of my forehead while saying "Doh!"

Dave