Salem Water Heater

[KCCARP]

I just purchased a 2017 Forrest River Salem trailer and need help turnung on the electric water heater. It has an electrical cord in the water heater cabinet outside the trailer. I assume this is the power source for the electric heater. Is there anything else that I need to do to turn on the electric water heater.

Thanks
KCCARP

[Bama Rambler]

Can you post a picture of the outside of the heater?
also, post the make and model of the heater.

It's most likely the power source for the heater, but the heater can have both 12 volt power and 120 volt power in the outside access door.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by KCCARP

Is there anything else that I need to do to turn on the electric water heater.

Make certain that you have water in that tank by opening the hot water faucet in the rig til you get a good stream of water. You can burn out the electric element if its not full.
As requested a picture would help. Some have a switch on the heater itself. If that's on and you're connected to electric, it should work automatically.

[KCCARP]

I purchased a Salem Lite 2017 trailer and need help on how to get electric hot water. I have attached a picture, do I plug in the electrical cord into a 110 outlet and switch the switch to the on position. TIA

kEN C

[Oaklevel]

I have never seen a power cord where yours is. Something the previous owner did?

Check behind the water heater too see where that cord goes.

Have you tried the gas side?

[Bama Rambler]

Thanks for the pics. It's what I figured it was.

That's a propane only water heater that someone added a "Hot Watt" electric element to.

There should be a switch on the inside of the RV that operates the propane side of the heater.

To operate the heater on electric, you plug that cord into a nearby receptacle, or run an extension cord to the pedestal and plug it in that way, and then turn the switch on.

Caution: Make sure that the tank is full of water before turning the heater on.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

Thanks for the pics. It's what I figured it was.

That's a propane only water heater that someone added a "Hot Watt" electric element to.

There should be a switch on the inside of the RV that operates the propane side of the heater.

To operate the heater on electric, you plug that cord into a nearby receptacle, or run an extension cord to the pedestal and plug it in that way, and then turn the switch on.

Caution: Make sure that the tank is full of water before turning the heater on.

That makes sense but I am surprised that a 2017 would have a propane only water heater.

[bedubya]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

That makes sense but I am surprised that a 2017 would have a propane only water heater.

The Suburban WH in my 2017 Salem Cruise Lite 232RBXL is LP gas only. No surprise there.

[TheWolfPaq82]

ON/OFF switch on side of WH does not look factory. If previous owner did that, is there a "THERMOSTAT" that shuts it off at temp ?

[TheWolfPaq82]

Did they use the Drain Plug to put the electric element in ?

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

Thanks for the pics. It's what I figured it was.

That's a propane only water heater that someone added a "Hot Watt" electric element to.

There should be a switch on the inside of the RV that operates the propane side of the heater.

To operate the heater on electric, you plug that cord into a nearby receptacle, or run an extension cord to the pedestal and plug it in that way, and then turn the switch on.

Caution: Make sure that the tank is full of water before turning the heater on.

X2, and these Hott Rods or Camco type add-on elements operate at around 400 watts, so it may take a little longer to heat on electric.


https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Group.../dp/B002SSIBSA


The pictures from the OP seems to be a Camco



https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Hot-Wat.../dp/B0024ECCJW

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

That makes sense but I am surprised that a 2017 would have a propane only water heater.

Pretty common on entry-level trailers.