Water Heater

cobblestone · 10-01-2013, 07:46 AM

My water heater in my 2001 Solaris operates both on electric and LP. My question is, how do you turn the water heater off, like when you have no water in it? I have a wall switch that one direction it is on electric and the other way it is on LP (I think) as we only camped one weekend in it so far. Thanks---Mike

Jim-Bev-2363 · 10-01-2013, 08:00 AM

Hi, Double check the switch to see if it is a three position switch. Rock one way for electric, rock the other way for LP and use the middle position for off. Might work for you. We hope so anyway.

cobblestone · 10-01-2013, 08:10 AM

Nope, it is only a 2 way switch. Would be nice if had a middle stop to act as an "off" setting.

Jim-Bev-2363 · 10-01-2013, 08:27 AM

I guess JohnB or someone that is more familiar with you unit will be along soon. There might be another remote shutdown for that heater. I really don't know. Hang in there.

jim44646 · 10-01-2013, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobblestone

My water heater in my 2001 Solaris operates both on electric and LP. My question is, how do you turn the water heater off, like when you have no water in it? I have a wall switch that one direction it is on electric and the other way it is on LP (I think) as we only camped one weekend in it so far. Thanks---Mike

I have a 2001 Solaris. The electric switch is on the back side of water heater near the bypass valves. Also there should be a breaker that controls it. The switch on mine is hard to get to so I just use breaker as on/off switch. A word of caution. Do not turn the electric on to water heater with out water in heater that will pop the element. One trick you can use for faster hot water recovery Is to use both gas and electric when taking showers.

PS. The switch on the wall only turns on gas and starts the igniter on water heater

cobblestone · 10-01-2013, 09:14 AM

Yes Jim thanks. I was also thinking of just flipping the electric breaker switch and not turning it on UNLESS there is water in it. We dont use the showers as we dont have enough fresh water in our holding tank. That is the MAIN thing that I wish was different in our camper, the size of the tanks. Our Black, grey, and fresh water tanks only hold around 24 gallons. We went camping last week (wed-sunday) and had to tear down a couple times to go and dump and fill up with fresh water. I am debating about purchasing a blue tank for dumping, but also would need to buy about 200 - 300 foot of hose to reach the fresh water faucet at the camp grounds (Sigh). I envy those that have like 40 gallon tanks.

jim44646 · 10-01-2013, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobblestone

Yes Jim thanks. I was also thinking of just flipping the electric breaker switch and not turning it on UNLESS there is water in it. We dont use the showers as we dont have enough fresh water in our holding tank. That is the MAIN thing that I wish was different in our camper, the size of the tanks. Our Black, grey, and fresh water tanks only hold around 24 gallons. We went camping last week (wed-sunday) and had to tear down a couple times to go and dump and fill up with fresh water. I am debating about purchasing a blue tank for dumping, but also would need to buy about 200 - 300 foot of hose to reach the fresh water faucet at the camp grounds (Sigh). I envy those that have like 40 gallon tanks.

If you look around you can find used blue tanks.I just bought one off craigslist. Half of a new tank. As for refilling fresh water I up made a 12v transfer pump and use 2, 5 gal Water jugs to refill fresh water tank.

cobblestone · 10-01-2013, 12:06 PM

How did you make the 12v transfer pump Jim? Sounds like a great idea.

jim44646 · 10-01-2013, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobblestone

How did you make the 12v transfer pump Jim? Sounds like a great idea.

I scrounged up an old RV water pump from a scrap trailer. Attached hoses and long wire leads. I then use a jump box for 12v power. Then pump away.

Gene · 10-01-2013, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobblestone

... I have a wall switch that one direction it is on electric and the other way it is on LP (I think) ..

I am quite sure that wall switch, usually in the kitchen, is only to turn on the gas mode. Next to the switch is a red light that stays on only if the gas doesn't fire. As Jim said, the electric is a switch on the tank (hard to get to) or turn the AC breaker on and off.

wilson3 · 10-01-2013, 06:28 PM

While the topic of water heaters has come up, I also have a ? for you guys. How do I adjust the temp of my water? Seems to get very hot and I don't want anybody getting burned. Thanks so much.

**JohnB** · 10-01-2013, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilson3

While the topic of water heaters has come up, I also have a ? for you guys. How do I adjust the temp of my water? Seems to get very hot and I don't want anybody getting burned. Thanks so much.

Most are not adjustable and they are preset "I think" at around 140F. They make them this hot so you can mix more cold and make the tank full of hot water last longer.

That said, Atwood does make an adjustable T stat you can buy to go in place of the fixed one.

Like this one
ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS 93105 Adjustable Electronic Thermostat : Amazon.com : Automotive

wilson3 · 10-01-2013, 11:53 PM

Thanks John. That is what we thought.

mainah · 10-02-2013, 05:06 PM

Some temp controls are pretty well hidden I had one that was behind the gas control you could just get your fingers on it. I try to set mine so that I don't have to add cold water in an attempt to save water the only problem the pilot light some times makes it too hot over night!

**Sunline Fan** · 10-03-2013, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim44646

I scrounged up an old RV water pump from a scrap trailer. Attached hoses and long wire leads. I then use a jump box for 12v power. Then pump away.

Old is right! What vintage are we talking there?

jim44646 · 10-03-2013, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunline Fan

Old is right! What vintage are we talking there?

Late 70's early 80's.
As they say I'm a bit Long in the tooth. I remember when they used mini compressors to pressurize your water tank instead of water pumps. The lower the water in your tank got the longer it would run. What a battery killer

**Sunline Fan** · 10-03-2013, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim44646

Late 70's early 80's.
As they say I'm a bit Long in the tooth. I remember when they used mini compressors to pressurize your water tank instead of water pumps. The lower the water in your tank got the longer it would run. What a battery killer

Hmm, I've not seen one like that before. The standard Shurflo used today has been around in some form for many decades, so I knew it had to be older than '80s.

jim44646 · 10-03-2013, 11:49 AM

It's not a Shurflo, but I remember when it was new. I'll have to check brand name when get home.

jim44646 · 10-03-2013, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim44646

It's not a Shurflo, but I remember when it was new. I'll have to check brand name when get home.

Sunline Fan

It's a Par automatic multi-fixture pump 36975
http://www.depcopump.com/datasheets/...36975-1101.PDF

dallas4th · 02-17-2014, 05:25 AM

hot water heater quit working when it got really cold last week first ended up trippin breaker where camper plugged in reset then hot water heater wont heat on electric it is cold as ice any ideas how to fix and not replace thanks dallas