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05-08-2019, 10:27 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 17
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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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05-08-2019, 10:34 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 4,055
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lou_Becky
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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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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05-08-2019, 10:37 AM
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#3
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Kanadian Kamper
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 8,170
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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.
__________________
Ken and Terry
2018 Sunseeker 2430S-CD, nicely modified and carried by a 2017 Ford E450 Sport
Former Georgetown 330TS owner for 10 years with more mods than I can count, pushed by our 2017 GMC Terrain
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05-08-2019, 10:45 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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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:
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:
Here's the electrical box for my new switch.
Here's the final install.
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.
__________________
1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)
2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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05-08-2019, 12:46 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cedar Creek Lake, TX
Posts: 3,484
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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
__________________
Cedar Creek Lake, Texas
2019 Keystone Loredo 290SRL
2019 Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins crew cab
Andersen hitch
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05-08-2019, 01:56 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Dearborn, MI
Posts: 83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lou_Becky
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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I took the easy path and leave the outside switch on and turn the circuit breaker inside on an off.
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05-08-2019, 02:02 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 17
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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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05-08-2019, 02:05 PM
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#8
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,142
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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.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2024 Ford F-Series SCREW•7.3L•4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=90
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05-08-2019, 02:11 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Georgia
Posts: 581
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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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05-08-2019, 02:17 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Dearborn, MI
Posts: 83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lou_Becky
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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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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05-08-2019, 02:25 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Southeast
Posts: 1,047
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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.
__________________
2018 Forest River Rockwood Roo
24WS
2019 Ford SD F-350 SRW Lariat
Tow & Gooseneck Prep
FX4 Off Road (4X4)
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05-08-2019, 04:29 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,095
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lou_Becky
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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You can just use the breaker switch at your load center. The WH has its own breaker.
__________________
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
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05-08-2019, 04:33 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,095
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockfordroo
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.
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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.
__________________
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
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05-08-2019, 07:17 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 4,055
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DouglasReid
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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Ok what's a scare light ? never seen critters run from lights .
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05-08-2019, 07:58 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: NE Wyoming
Posts: 165
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rlh1957
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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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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05-08-2019, 08:20 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,095
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MR.M
Ok what's a scare light ? never seen critters run from lights .
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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.
__________________
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
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05-09-2019, 10:42 AM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Scranton, PA
Posts: 23
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remote switch
Quote:
Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody
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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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
__________________
Buck Gilpin
Sterling PA
illegitimi non carborundum
always be sincere even if you don't mean it
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05-09-2019, 11:57 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 4,055
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DouglasReid
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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Not scoffing just never heard of scare lights .
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05-09-2019, 11:59 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cedar Creek Lake, TX
Posts: 3,484
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nrgilpin
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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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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