Atwood Dual Hot Water Switch, Electric & Gas

I know many of you have or wanted to add an electric switch for your hot water heater inside the coach. I was reading in WWW.MODMYRV.COM last night and ran across this, so I thought I would share it.

Here is a link to EBAY where someone is selling them for $9.99 with $6.05 shipping. Needless to say, yes, I ordered one last night.

Great find Tom!

I think I'll get one too! Wiring should be really simple.

TC

TC wrote:Great find Tom!

Wiring should be really simple.

TC

TC,
At the modmyrv.com site, there is complete instructions on how to wire it up.

Here we go again, where does it stop ?


Here we go hitting the " Buy it Now " button again.

Thanks a lot oldelmer. You've just added another website for my favorites list!!! Hadn't seen that site until now.

Well that's just great. Just when I thought I was almost caught up with all the mods Old Elmer introduces another website to keep track of. More time and money. There must be a cure for this disease that I've caught.

dragynj wrote:Thanks a lot oldelmer. You've just added another website for my favorites list!!! Hadn't seen that site until now.

YOUR WELCOME!!!!

The guy that own the site has joined ours, MODMYRV but he's not aver active, only 2 posts.

But he does have a NEAT site.....

Awesome invention. Thanks for the web link. It looks like another fine website that can take up more of my time. LOL

I am with Admin on this one..............you folks just like to spend my money dont ya?



Thanks for passin' it on tho

I noticed the wiring diagram is for 12v system. My water heater is 120v. Should I just get an illuminated 120v rocker and put it next to the gas one?

playasaurus wrote: Should I just get an illuminated 120v rocker and put it next to the gas one?

YES, you certainly could do that. I just wanted the matching switches more than the illuminated ones. The switch that comes with this dual unit is 120V AC, the gas switch is the exact same as what we have now.

I want the same thing, a matching set. I already ordered one and have it in hand. But how would you wire this switch? You can't jump to the indicator light with 120v could you? Another concern I have is 10 amp limit on the switch. Thought I might install matching rocker with indicator light. I would just have to wire it in series from the black heater element wire, correct?

I ran a new 14-2 wire from the water heater to the new switch location. Opened up the wiring box of the HWH and separated the 2 black wires. 1 wire comes from the breaker, the other goes to the HWH. I connected the NEW black wire to the breaker black, then the NEW white to the HWH black, putting some black electrical tape on the white wire.

On the new switch side, I crimped on a lug on both the white & black wires, then put the black onto the top lug of the new switch, the white onto the bottom lug of the new switch. Again, putting some black electrical tape on the end of the white wire.

As far as the new 120V switch goes, its a very heavily rated switch, I believe it should be fine as this is the switch that Atwood supplies for their HWH switches.

Here is the website for the switches:
http://rocker-switches.carlingtech.com/single-pole-switch__34.asp

Oh, and you are correct, you CAN NOT jump the red light to the 120V side. The RED light(12V) is the gas failure light, if the gas doesnt ignite, then the light comes on to warn you of the failure.

If you have any issues or questions, just let me know....

I'm in the process of doing this upgrade myself. Before you all purchase from Ebay and pay shipping, etc... check out your local RV parts dealer, mine had them in stock.

Yep, our local Poulsbo RV in Everett Wa. has them for $10.
I just wish it said "Suburban" on it instead of "Atwood" ~ oh well, no biggie I guess.

ScottandGrace wrote:I just wish it said "Suburban" on it instead of "Atwood" ~ oh well, no biggie I guess.

A little bit of white paint will take care of the ATWOOD name....

White T/U paint, got it!
In regards to wiring in the new switch, I'm just going to add it in series with the black rocker switch under the outside access cover of the WH. That way both switches will have to be ON for the heater to work but either one will turn it off.
I've already added an indicator light that shows when the 120v element is on. I know the WH is as hot as it's going to get after it turns off and it's safe to start my shower and enjoy maximum soak time.

I read that the economy is getting better because consumer spending is up - now I know where this increased spending is coming from.

ScottandGrace wrote:I've already added an indicator light that shows when the 120v element is on. .

Scott,

Did you do the light as the original post had done it? or did you do something different.

I didnt do the light, I just wanted the switch inside.

I just attached a 120v indicator lamp to the two terminals on the heater element, so the light comes on whenever the element is energized.

Anyone know why there is a red wire linking the two switches together?? Doesn't make sense to me .

Thanks.

The only thing I can think of is that in the Atwood, these switches are providing a ground to the control circuit but thats just a wild guess. We'll probably have to re-wire things a bit.

Cory,
I'm looking at mine now, I only have 1 red wire that is connected to the top of the GAS switch.

Here's how mine is wired:

GAS SWITCH

top RED
bottom ORANGE & ORANGE/WHITE

RED LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE
top WHITE
bottom BLUE/WHITE

ELECTRIC SWITCH
top BLACK(feed from WH)
bottom WHITE(with black electric tape on it)

There should not be anything linking the 2 switches together, 1 is 12V the other is 120V.

Actually, looking closer, the red wire is pink....

Did this red wire come with it? Cause I dont have any with mine.

Looking at the pic on eBay I can see this mod is well worth it if for nothing else, it makes the stupid switch "on" in the up position instead of being upside down like the Suburban!!!
Rant off.

I can't figure out why I can jump on my dirt bike and go haul'n through the woods at 90 to nothing with no fear, but when I pick up a screw driver and start toward the cat I start wimpering like a baby.

I still gotta go get one of these switches and do mine. I'm just afraid I'll be frozen in fear when I take the old one off, like some kid stuck on the top of a ladder hanging on for dear life,,,,,

" Dang , now where did this wire go ? ",,,,,,


Scott ,,,, ditto on that

makes the stupid switch "on" in the up position instead of being upside down like the Suburban!!!