Electrical & Hot Water Switch

[woodedareas]

We just completed a trip to the Upper Peninsula, Door County and other parts of Michigan and had no mechanical difficulties except for the electrical switch in the bathroom which controls the water heater and bathroom light. Everytime we turned it on (either the light or heater) the other lights in the trailer dimmed and on 2 occassions the frigerator turned off. I also noticed that the switch for the heater has a light that used to remain on when the heater was opperative---now the light does not remain on even though the water heater is working.Any suggestions on how to investigate? I was going to remove the white face plate around the switch to check the connections but have no idea as to how to remove it. It either snaps off or is glued.

Looking forward to your suggestions.
Thanks
Allen

[overlander63]

It sounds like you have a bad ground, and the other items are grounding the "problem stuff".

[Al - K4GLU]

In my trailer the water heater light only stays on until the propane ignites. It then goes off. My WH is propane only - if you have one that runs off of electricity or propane it may be different.

[clancy_boy]

Originally Posted by Al - K4GLU

In my trailer the water heater light only stays on until the propane ignites. It then goes off. My WH is propane only - if you have one that runs off of electricity or propane it may be different.

Same here - gas only WH - light comes on when switch is first turned on then goes out when the gas lights off. In the manual it says this is the way it should operate. Don't know about a duel power elec/gas heater.

[lewster]

Allen,

The switch plates in the newer units snap off. Just be careful that you don't break it!

Once inside, you can unscrew each switch individually and gently pull it toward you to investigate the wiring. Sounds like either the switch is mis-wired, or you have a short or grounding problem.

Since Airstream no longer published manuals that contain wiring diagrams and such, your best shot once it is opened is to call A/S customer service and request a wiring diagram for that switch with color codes indicated, or just find someone in JC that can tell you over the phone.

Let us know how you do...................

[yakman]

Our WH light only comes on when the unit first heats up. Outside of that with continuous use, the light stays off.

But with the lights dimming etc., it sounds as though there's certainly a problem.

yakman

[jerrypeterma]

where is this wh light that ya'll are talking about