Updating LP only water heater to a LP/AC - Questions

[mILcOP4523]

looking at purchasing a new lp/ electric Surburban HW heater and need to know what switch to use.
Ive seen some on Ebay with the red light and one rocker and some with 2 rockers like below.
what is the advantage of the 2 rockers?

 

[GWRam]

mILcOP4523,

When you get an lp/electric water heater. You can operate it 3ways. lp only, which does require 12v.(GAS switch).
lp and electric (uses propane, 12vDC, 120vAC) which will help on the tank reheat time. (GAS and ELECTRIC switch).
you can also operate on electric only if you want to save propane and slower reheat of tank is ok requires 120v.(Electric switch)
There will also be another switch built into the water heater near the anode rod/drain plug which must also be turned on to use the Electric feature.
I would think that the specific model you purchase would recommend the appropriate switch to go with the heater.

Oh, don't turn the electric switches on until you have water in the water heater, without water it will burn out the heating element in seconds I am told.
Dave

 

[JohnD]

Re: lp only water heater to lp / electric question

As has already been mentioned, if you go from a gas-only water heater to a electric and gas water heater, you will need to make sure that you have the required wiring in your trailer to handle that!

It is possible that you will need to have someone rewire your trailer to accept the new water heater!

 

[hoefler]

Re: lp only water heater to lp / electric question

You might check into adding electric to your current heater.