I have a propane leak somewhere in my system and on road in Florida Keys and cannot fix it easily or quickly right now. I would like to use electric to heat water. Is this the switch for the electric side of water heater? 1990 Barth 32' Regency.

I think that switch turns on a 120V heater fan in the compartment by the water tank. On mine the actual fan plugs into an outlet under the couch that is controlled by that switch. I have a switch just like that mounted on the end of the kitchen cabinets that controls the heating element in the hot water heater.

Nick

Turn off the circuit breaker and then throw the switch. If it doesn't light up, then we have a match.

In my commercial Barth the switch you depict does control my 120v electric hot water heater.

The RV water heaters were gas only. However, in some a heating element replaced the drain plug. I have also seen heating element placed inside the heat tube. So open it up and see if you have any electric cables in it. Keep in mind that if you have an electronic ignition you will also have wires running to the gas control module.

But I would doubt that you can heat with electricity.

Seems the switch above the door is the switch to the heater in the water compartment. Based upon what I have seen so far, I have no electric water heater option which is not good because I have developed a propane leak on the drive to Florida Keys. Idiot repairman I paid to look at it told me the tank was shot and needed to be replaced. Said he turned the valve off to "Save My Life". I am no expert, but not sure how the tank stops leaking after a valve is turned off when the valve is in-line. Based upon my view, not possible. The leak did stop, which tells me it is up the line somewhere. I know it was leaking because my tank went empty on the way down, and I though the gauge was bad, so I refilled, then at arriving at my destination, I could smell it and hear it. Just gotta make it home and will hopefully start to address this at that time. for now, it is bathhouse or cool showers until we get home!

quote:

Originally posted by Gary Carter:
The RV water heaters were gas only. However, in some a heating element replaced the drain plug. I have also seen heating element placed inside the heat tube. So open it up and see if you have any electric cables in it. Keep in mind that if you have an electronic ignition you will also have wires running to the gas control module.

But I would doubt that you can heat with electricity.

My 86 Regency has a three way, LP, Elc. and a loop from the engines cooling system for while rolling down the road free hot water. Cool or uhh Hot

Might I recommend a Hot Rod or Lightning Rod Electric Kit for your water heater. Helen & I did that years ago and since then we rarely use LP to heat water. That switch in the first photo with the pilot light on it probably operates the electric (110 VAC) engine block heater.