What's this toggle switch for in my LL?

[keeena]

My LL has a lighted (pilot) style toggle switch, appears to be 120v (looks like a standard residential toggle). It seems to only work (light up) when shore power is hooked up. I initially guessed it was a main cut-off for the 30a or to switch the outlets, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

[charliem]

[font size="3"]That is for the 120V element in the water heater. It allows the WH to run on electricity when on shore power. To use this mode you will also have to turn on the small black rocker switch on the lower corner inside the access panel on the outside of the trailer.

CAUTION: Be sure the WH is full before you turn this on. Failure to do so will burn out the element very quickly.
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[keeena]

Thanks!! Is there a particular order for setting the 2 switches (going gas -> elec and elec -> gas)?

And what does the switch behind the access panel do? Is it a gas switch or something else?

FWIW, I have a interior 12v toggle switch for the water heater as well (I flip it on, indicator light comes on for a bit until water up to temp?). I assume this is not the exterior switch you are talking about. I assume this is only used if heating water w/ gas also?

[charliem]

[font size="3"]No particular order to the three switches. In fact you can leave all three on as long and you have water in the WH. The WH will automatically use whichever source is available. Electric if plugged in; gas if not plugged in; and gas plus electric until temperature is achieved if both are available. If plugged in and gas is also turned on the WH will heat until temperature is reached, but maintain using electric. If a lot of hot water is used, like a long shower, the electric element will come on first, followed by the gas burner shortly after. This speeds recovery. When temperature is reached the gas burner will shut down and the electric element will maintain for small uses forever. Pretty neat! [/font]
[font size="3"]
The switch behind the panel is only for the electric element.[/font][font size="3"] The other switch with the momentary red light is for gas operation. The extinguishing of the red light indicates the gas burner has ignited, not that it has reached temperature.

BTW, Livinlite (Thor) has stopped  installing the lighted red switch on new models because it's too "confusing" to buyers. Read "cost cutting".
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[keeena]

Gotcha, thanks again for the info!