Water Heater Question

[harvette]

We have a new 2010 31 RE Cruiser. We have always used the water heater on gas but this weekend we decided to try it on electric. The water was luke warm at best. Just wondering if their is some kind of a temperature adjustment somewhere on the heater or something else im doing wrong. When i flip the water heater switch on it lights up red which i think is normal. Craig

[seabee]

Did you check the circuit breaker? Hmmm....I seem to think that the red light indicates a problem. Of course, this old brain does "burp" now and then.

[trac5]

Just tried ours. On electric, no lights come on. The only time the red light comes on is when the propane trys 3 times and does not light. You have to turn the propane switch to off then back on and the "3 strikes your out" starts over again.
Ours is a 2008 cf 29 k Cruiser

[ryeja]

What kind of hot water heater is it? I just recently found out that my parents 5th wheel (brand new) will not let you operate gas and electric at the same time. There's a switch at the hot water tank (outside) that has to be physically switch off or on depending on gas or electric.

As Walt said, check circuit breakers as the red light indicates a problem, usually on gas though.

[Mac-2]

I remember the manual saying the red light indicates a problem.
Check the manual if you havent already found the answer.

[dalemac377]

Ours has two switches in the control center for the water heater, one for gas and one for electric operation. We generally use ours on electric and the light on the switch stays on to tell you the water heater is operating on electric. Our water gets just as hot using electric power as using gas. Don't think there is any temperature adjustment available.

[Pull Dog]

I wish there was a water temperature control. My hot water tank is so hot that it's dangerous to have the hot water on by itself.

[Russb]

This is a link to an adjustable thermostat for the Atwood water heater. I've had it on my heater for over a year and it works great. If you do a search on Youtube there is an installation video. It doesn't take more than five minutes to install.

http://www.dan-marcrvparts.com/adeamoatwahe.html

[BipeFlier]

I second checking the switch on the back of the waterheater.



The red light indicates a problem with the gas lighting, red light on electric is "ON".

[Chrisnan23]

Electric takes a lot longer to heat from cold. It is great to maitain the temp after the water is heated.

[Flyone]

Most newer (most I say, better to check and be sure) water heaters can be used on both elec and propane at the same time--mine even says, something like 6.7 GPH on Elec, 7.2 GPH on propane, 17.3 GPH elec/propane. It will flat heat up the tank in a hurry. Then I turn off the propane to conserve my fuel. Having said that the elec should get the water just as hot as propane it may take a little longer but it should get there. On mine I don't think there is any way to adjust the temp. Check the fuse, check the wiring connections make sure the switch stays on and give it another try. If it still dosen't get very hot might be time to get it looked at by a pro. Always make sure there is plenty of water in the tank anytime you have the elec element on, they will burn up in a fairly quickly if on when the tank is dry.



Flyone

[KF9TL]

New 2012 unit of mine works on gas but not electricty and no switch on the tank like my old Layton. Heater is Atwood 10 gal and I'm heading back out with a VOM this time for further diagnostics.

Good group here, glad I found you....

[hhh]

The switch for the electric is in your control panel with all the switches for lights, tank levels, awning, etc.

[KF9TL]

I'm aware of that, thanks. And the 15amp breaker (working perfectly). Still no joy. Back to the dealer.

[KF9TL]

I'm aware of that, thanks. And the 15amp breaker (working perfectly). Still no joy. Back to the dealer. If last post wasn't for me, sorry.

[KF9TL]

Was a loose wire nut at the heater BTW.

[Chrisnan23]

Now that is just aggravating! Thanks for letting us know.