Are these buttons in the OFF or ON position?

[PatLee]

The off/on function of these 2 rocker switches for the hot water heater (either electric or propane) is not intuitive for me so I plan to label them. In attached photo, are they off or on? Looking at the off position of the the light switches throughout the trailer, I’m really hoping these are off.

BTW - I found the hot water switch plate in my owners manual but this specific question was not addressed.
Thanks so much.

[rmkrum]

In my rig, both switches would be in the ‘off’ position

[eagletoo]

Your pic shows them in the “off” position.

Make sure you have water in your water heater and press the top of the right switch. You should hear the propane ignite. Then you will know which is which.

[SteveSueMac]

And if you’re not aware of this - it’s a little weird to me at first but when you turn on the water heater (either electric or propane) the red light in the middle flashes just for a fraction of a second to let you know it turned on. The light doesn’t stay on in normal operation. The light ONLY stays on if something goes wrong! Probably the #1 cause of that would be not having the HWH full of water before turning it on. The best way to be sure is to run water from the hot faucets in the sinks and shower until there is no air sputtering through the pipes. When you have a steady flow, you have water in the heater. Then you can turn it on from either power source.

Good luck!

[NoResults]

In another thread a forum member modified these switches with led lights to indicate whether on or off at a glance. Try to search for it. Dave

[Caffeinated]

Originally Posted by NoResults

In another thread a forum member modified these switches with led lights to indicate whether on or off at a glance. Try to search for it. Dave

Seems like a lot of work to fix something that isn't broken.

Mike

[TG Twinkie]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

And if you’re not aware of this - it’s a little weird to me at first but when you turn on the water heater (either electric or propane) the red light in the middle flashes just for a fraction of a second to let you know it turned on. The light doesn’t stay on in normal operation. The light ONLY stays on if something goes wrong! Probably the #1 cause of that would be not having the HWH full of water before turning it on. The best way to be sure is to run water from the hot faucets in the sinks and shower until there is no air sputtering through the pipes. When you have a steady flow, you have water in the heater. Then you can turn it on from either power source.

Good luck!

You must make sure the water heater is NOT in the bypass mode and full of water before lighting or turning on the electric heating element. Then light the WH in the gas mode.

[Al and Missy]

"Bypass Valve" Note:
In my 2002 Classic, the water heater bypass valve bypasses the water heater, isolating both the cold and hot water fittings from the trailer plumbing.

At some point Airstream, in their finite knowledge (pun intended), changed the design but left the name the same. In the OP's trailer, and others after some point in time, the valve's function changed from a true bypass to a cold water shutoff. Unlike the older bypass valve which is opened to winterize, the new valve is closed to winterize. Thus TGTwinkie's description using "bypass mode" instead of saying valve open or valve closed.

Al

[PatLee]

Thanks everyone for all the responses. Here’s my low-tech fix:. (I have no idea if I managed to attach the photo but here goes.)

[Hermes]

That happens to be the On/Off positions for all switches of that type in the AS. The one on the right of the picture is in the On position for the bathroom ceiling light.

[Gleverett]

I look at my light switch and and if its on it matches the hot water switch thats on.

[Rltports]

That would depend on your definition of broken.

[cazual6]

Originally Posted by PatLee

Thanks everyone for all the responses. Here’s my low-tech fix:Attachment 341297. (I have no idea if I managed to attach the photo but here goes.)

That picture is correct.

I am planning to get these.

https://seeyoudowntheroad.com/pages/switch-aware

[Mollysdad]

Off.
But I expected the light to light when "on" and it doesn't.
I learned the light alerts you it failed.
I used the low tech method. Flip switch, wait 15 minutes, feel for hot water. Worked!

[Caffeinated]

Originally Posted by Rltports

That would depend on your definition of broken.

IN 25 yrs of camping with SOBs, (Nomad, Komfort, and Cougar) before the AS, they all worked exactly the same. If the hot water heater is working, the red light flashes briefly when turned on, then goes out and stays off. If there is a problem with the hot water heater, the red light stays on. I'd say that meets my definition of "not broken".

Mike

[emelaich01]

[QUOTE=PatLee;2243359]The off/on function of these 2 rocker switches for the hot water heater (either electric or propane) is not intuitive for me so I plan to label them. In attached photo, are they off or on? Looking at the off position of the Attachment 341246the light switches throughout the trailer, I’m really hoping these are off.

BTW - I found the hot water switch plate in my owners manual but this specific question was not addressed.
Thanks so much.[QUOTE]

Good question Pat!
We're the guilty parties that added the indicator lights to the switch panel. We have found these to be extremely useful, especially when youngsters visit and mistake one of the water heater switches for the light switch!
This really comes in handy when we're headed out the door.
Happy trails,
MnT

Here's the link to our post
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f447...rs-191357.html

[pwlldvd]

I guess if the light stayed on, that would use more battery when dry camping.

My only beef is that the hook for the hand towel is above the switches. It's hard to see the switches under the towel, and youI have to be careful not to accidentally hit a switch when using the towel.

[Mansderm161]

I bought small stick on rhinestones and put one on the on position of the switch. Its raised, so you can feel it in the dark and tell if your switch it on or off. They are usually in the craft section of Walmart or scrapbooking area of craft stores.