Turning off the 2-Way Hot Water Tank

[garysd]

We have the 2-way hot water tank and if I understand correctly, the water heater switch above the fridge is only for the electronic ignition of propane to heat the water, and has nothing to do with heating the water using 120V?

And if that's correct, then to turn off the 120V power I have to use either the on/off switch in the control housing or turn off the breaker in the load center?

Thanks for any clarification!

Gary

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by garysd

We have the 2-way hot water tank and if I understand correctly, the water heater switch above the fridge is only for the electronic ignition of propane to heat the water, and has nothing to do with heating the water using 120V?

And if that's correct, then to turn off the 120V power I have to use either the on/off switch in the control housing or turn off the breaker in the load center?

Thanks for any clarification!

Gary

That is correct. To be certain though, by control housing you are referring to the switch on the water heater itself, correct?

[PGDriver]

Originally Posted by garysd

We have the 2-way hot water tank and if I understand correctly, the water heater switch above the fridge is only for the electronic ignition of propane to heat the water, and has nothing to do with heating the water using 120V?



And if that's correct, then to turn off the 120V power I have to use either the on/off switch in the control housing or turn off the breaker in the load center?



Thanks for any clarification!



Gary

Yes that is correct.


Cheers
Doug

[garysd]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

That is correct. To be certain though, by control housing you are referring to the switch on the water heater itself, correct?

Correct, Jim. The area you get to from the outside, where I'll remove the anode.

Gary

[padlin]

You can modify the unit and put in a remote switch if you are so inclined, some of us have done so following Jim B's original mod.

[wetzk]

Originally Posted by padlin

You can modify the unit and put in a remote switch if you are so inclined, some of us have done so following Jim B's original mod.

Looked and did not see his. Mine is a 120v lighted switch, illuminated on and is placed at the end of the bench by the door under the 120v outlet.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by wetzk

Looked and did not see his.

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...itch-1165.html

[wetzk]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8/water-heater-indicator-lights-and-120v-switch-1165.html

That would involve fishing wires and I really do not want to give up any outlets so mine is fine for us. I cut a hole under the 120v outlet and mounted a box and ran #10 from it to the water heater and tied it in.
Nice and easy no wires were cut so I can restore it in a flash if needed. I'll have to look and see if the Escape display stays illuminated with propane switched on in the 2017's. I remember something stays lit but I do not remember what it was. If not the 12v mod looks easy to do. The 120V is real obvious when you are going in or out of the trailer so I do not forget to switch it off. The bright red label I made helps with that of course.
And its on my check off sheet to turn it off when leaving.

[cpaharley2008]

The new ones stay illuminated while operating of propane.

[sclifrickson]

Originally Posted by wetzk

Looked and did not see his. Mine is a 120v lighted switch, illuminated on and is placed at the end of the bench by the door under the 120v outlet.

Could you post a pic of your install?

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by wetzk

That would involve fishing wires and I really do not want to give up any outlets so mine is fine for us. I cut a hole under the 120v outlet and mounted a box and ran #10 from it to the water heater and tied it in. Nice and easy no wires were cut so I can restore it in a flash if needed.

I don't think Jim fished wires. It sounds like he simply intercepted the 120V line as it heads to the water heater. I assume there was enough slack to wire it to the switch in the existing outlet box. It doesn't really matter though because you have a solution that works!

[wetzk]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

I don't think Jim fished wires. It sounds like he simply intercepted the 120V line as it heads to the water heater. I assume there was enough slack to wire it to the switch in the existing outlet box. It doesn't really matter though because you have a solution that works!

And reading the other thread let me know that the light I remember seeing was the one for it being on propane. So I am set now.

[garysd]

Thanks all for the info, everybody! I'll study Jim's mod to do something similar so I don't have to flip the breaker or open the outside cover to turn off the 120V power.

Gary

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by garysd

Thanks all for the info, everybody! I'll study Jim's mod to do something similar so I don't have to flip the breaker or open the outside cover to turn off the 120V power.

Gary

Both links where Jim sourced his small LED lights are no longer found

[sclifrickson]

I’m doing mine with the pilot light built into the switch itself: Leviton 1201-PLC 15 Amp, 120 Volt, Toggle Pilot Light, Illuminated ON, Req. Neutral Single-Pole AC Quiet Switch, Industrial Grade, Self Grounding, Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00332F0SY..._zcWhAb7HZFV5D

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by sclifrickson

I’m doing mine with the pilot light built into the switch itself: Leviton 1201-PLC 15 Amp, 120 Volt, Toggle Pilot Light, Illuminated ON, Req. Neutral Single-Pole AC Quiet Switch, Industrial Grade, Self Grounding, Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00332F0SY..._zcWhAb7HZFV5D

That works great for a new install in it's own box. Jim's mod was done on a 19 utilizing an existing outlet box with the bottom outlet remaining on a separate circuit. If someone is looking to do exactly what Jim did and not worry about wiring a separate light you can buy a combination switch/receptacle with a built in pilot light. Light is on when switch is on.

www.homedepot.com/p/Eaton-15-Amp-Tamper-Resistant-Combination-Single-Pole-Toggle-Switch-and-2-Pole-Receptacle-White-TR274W/203492675?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-VF-PLA-D27E-Electrical%7c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8qaBgbzk1wIVSDPTCh 3kpwGCEAQYASABEgJG2fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJDfx oO85NcCFVQGNwodYD0AAA

[wetzk]

Originally Posted by sclifrickson

I’m doing mine with the pilot light built into the switch itself: Leviton 1201-PLC 15 Amp, 120 Volt, Toggle Pilot Light, Illuminated ON, Req. Neutral Single-Pole AC Quiet Switch, Industrial Grade, Self Grounding, Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00332F0SY..._zcWhAb7HZFV5D

That's the same switch I used. What I am surprised at is the price that most places are asking for it now. I only paid $8.50 via Prime for mine and thought I was paying a premium price for the convenience of not having to try to track one down.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Both links where Jim sourced his small LED lights are no longer found

Don't forget that Classic owners with the original style Suburban gas water heater switch can also opt to replace the switch with one that lights up when the switch is on.

www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8/water-heater-indicator-lights-and-120v-switch-1165-2.html#post210886

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by wetzk

That's the same switch I used. What I am surprised at is the price that most places are asking for it now. I only paid $8.50 via Prime for mine and thought I was paying a premium price for the convenience of not having to try to track one down.

The link shows an "Industrial Grade" switch which I'm sure is commanding a premium. There are definitely more economical options given the application. This is one, but it has a different form factor with the separate light:

www.homedepot.com/p/Eaton-Heavy-Duty-Grade-15-Amp-Combination-Single-Pole-Toggle-Switch-and-Pilot-Light-in-White-277W-BOX/203492444

[wetzk]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

The link shows an "Industrial Grade" switch which I'm sure is commanding a premium. There are definitely more economical options given the application. This is one, but it has a different form factor with the separate light:

www.homedepot.com/p/Eaton-Heavy-Duty-Grade-15-Amp-Combination-Single-Pole-Toggle-Switch-and-Pilot-Light-in-White-277W-BOX/203492444

True, but when I clicked on it it said I had purchased this item on July 26th 2017 so I have the same item. It is nothing special, just a toggle switch with a clear toggle that has a neon bulb in it.