flagstaff water heater

[JeBa]

The water heater compartment of my sister-in-law's 2006 24ft Flagstaff TT has what appears to be an electric on/off switch, plus the normal looking gas burner - there is also the normal water heater switch inside the living area.

Does this mean the water heater can run on electric or gas?

If running only gas to the hot water heater - what position should the compartment switch be in?....What position should the living area switch be in?
If running only electric - what should these switches be set to?

thanks,

Jeff

[08flagvlite]

Hi Jeff. My Flagstaff V lite has the same water heater, and I turn the switch behind the outdoor cover on, and LEAVE IT ON!!! Then you can switch between gas and electric by turning off the breaker on the wfco converter panel. On mine, I have a ROCKER SWITCH by the A/C thermostat and the tank indicators that lights up red when switched on. That turns the W/H on under GAS mode, but leave the breaker in the wfco off. (turn gas tank valve on!) IF you want electric mode, turn illuminated rocker switch on the wall off, turn breaker at the wfco converter on, and you have electric mode. NOTE: in gas mode, illuminated rocker switch will cease to illuminate when the W/H reaches operating temperature. HOPE THIS HELPS YA!! Randy

[PumaPro]

WARNING!!! Don't forget about the 110v power going to the electric element!!! Before you drain the WH or open a low point drain, make sure the power is OFF!!!! Otherwise, you might forget that the switch is still on, and the element will silently burn out.

[Bama Rambler]

Heed PumaPro's warning. I have burned out an element or two.

A lot of people do what Randy (08flagvlite) suggests. Leave the outside switch on and control the electric element with the breaker in the power panel. Mine operates almost like his too. The red light on the switch goes out once flame is sensed.

The small rocker switch outside under the heater access cover is for the electric element. The illuminated switch inside the RV is for operation on gas.

You can run both at the same time. Most people run on electric until it's shower time then they switch on the gas for quick recovery.