Waterheater

[BeeRok]

I’m having issues with my water not heating . Can someone tell me how I’m supposed to set this up. I have a 2021 Amer-lite Gulf Stream 27’. So what I can see is I have a switch inside and there is a switch inside where the water heater is. Right know it’s connected to 110. Can some help me out on how to set this up from 110 to 12 volts. Ty guys

[Leisure Time Larry]

Is this a new-to-you camper, or it worked before and now it doesn't?

The first thing is, don't try to heat the water until you are sure water is in the tank. To find out, make sure the plumbing valve(s) are set to "Normal" mode and not "Bypass" mode. This is usually located on the inside of the RV near the water heater. You may need to get into an access panel, remove some drawers, lift the bed, whatever is required based on the layout of your RV.

Next, make sure your water pump is on, or that you are connected to the city water connection so water can fill the tank once the valve is set to "Normal". Lastly, a way to check if the tank is full is to briefly pull up on the little lever on the pressure relief valve on the outside portion of the water heater panel. If water comes out, the tank is full. The reason this is important is because if you try to heat the tank without water in it 1) the electric element may be damaged which would require replacement 2) the safety system shuts the heater down and will need to be reset.

Once you know water is in the tank, it may be a good idea to press the "Reset" buttons in the outside WH panel. Then, the switch in that panel is for the electric heating element, and the one inside on your wall is for the propane burner.

Watch this video... https://youtu.be/vk9Nt6RMHps?si=RABYksu3rmTH2rZ1

[BeeRok]

Originally Posted by Leisure Time Larry

Is this a new-to-you camper, or it worked before and now it doesn't?

The first thing is, don't try to heat the water until you are sure water is in the tank. To find out, make sure the plumbing valve(s) are set to "Normal" mode and not "Bypass" mode. This is usually located on the inside of the RV near the water heater. You may need to get into an access panel, remove some drawers, lift the bed, whatever is required based on the layout of your RV.

Next, make sure your water pump is on, or that you are connected to the city water connection so water can fill the tank once the valve is set to "Normal". Lastly, a way to check if the tank is full is to briefly pull up on the little lever on the pressure relief valve on the outside portion of the water heater panel. If water comes out, the tank is full. The reason this is important is because if you try to heat the tank without water in it 1) the electric element may be damaged which would require replacement 2) the safety system shuts the heater down and will need to be reset.

Once you know water is in the tank, it may be a good idea to press the "Reset" buttons in the outside WH panel. Then, the switch in that panel is for the electric heating element, and the one inside on your wall is for the propane burner.

Watch this video... https://youtu.be/vk9Nt6RMHps?si=RABYksu3rmTH2rZ1

Yes I’m new to the camping world. I just this trailer and of course I didn’t read the manual, lol!
So I didn’t know what the heater switch did inside and discovered the switch for the 110 outside right before you responded. So we did get some hot water.

Ok so it seems initially I was doing something wrong. I was getting hot water intermittently. This is before I hit the button on the unit to on ( outside).

Can you explain to me when do I use the water heater button on the inside of the trailer. When do I switch that to On? My understanding is that is for the propane side with 12v ply use. Correct?

Oh and thanks for the video.

[Leisure Time Larry]

Do you only have one switch INSIDE the RV for the Water Heater? Sometimes there is one for propane and one for electric on the inside in addition to the switch on the outside.

If only one, then it is for propane heating of the water heater. You should turn this on and leave it on while camping. It is the primary heating source for the water heater. The burner will initially be on for 20-30 minutes while it heats the water up. Less if the electric is on also. Then, it will cycle on and off on its own as needed to keep the water in the tank hot.

The electric part of the WH can also stay on the whole time you are camping and hooked up to water and shore power. It is supplemental heating of the tank. Since it is only 110v, it can't get as hot as a home electric water heater that uses 240v. It will help heat, help maintain the heat and can be used without the propane, but will be less effective and efficient. Just be sure to turn the switch for the electric OFF prior to unhooking the shore power and water hookup when leaving a campsite. Make sure at the next campsite those are hooked up first before turning the electric WH switch back ON.