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Old 10-19-2013, 02:41 PM   #1
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Direct ignition hot water heater wiring

I'm installing a Suburban direct ignition (DSI) hot water heater in a Roo 23ss that only had a manual pilot light previously. I have the Suburban DSI switch/light combo for the ignition and I know its supposed to be wired to DC current. My question is, can I just tap into whatever DC line that is nearby, or does it have to be on it's own DC circuit and fuse? Thanks in advance.
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Old 10-19-2013, 03:43 PM   #2
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You would want it on it's own circuit if possible but really it wouldn't make any difference where you got your 12v from.
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Old 10-19-2013, 03:43 PM   #3
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There is no reason that it needs to be on its own circuit. The only problem would be if you tie into a circuit that is already close to the limit for the fuse it's on, which could then cause the circuit to blow the fuse. A water heater doesn't use much current however so I imagine you'll be fine.
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Old 10-19-2013, 03:48 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveWG View Post
I'm installing a Suburban direct ignition (DSI) hot water heater in a Roo 23ss that only had a manual pilot light previously. I have the Suburban DSI switch/light combo for the ignition and I know its supposed to be wired to DC current. My question is, can I just tap into whatever DC line that is nearby, or does it have to be on it's own DC circuit and fuse? Thanks in advance.
Tap into any 12v, but put an inline fuse on it.
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Old 10-19-2013, 03:51 PM   #5
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dsi

It would be nice to know which circuit you are tapping into, it should not be that much more load on the circuit, but knowing how many more amps it will add vs. wire and fuse size would be prudent.

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Old 10-19-2013, 04:00 PM   #6
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It would be nice to know which circuit you are tapping into, it should not be that much more load on the circuit, but knowing how many more amps it will add vs. wire and fuse size would be prudent. Matt
In a perfect world, the wire is already sized for the fuse capacity, so that shouldn't be necessary IMO.
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Old 10-19-2013, 04:14 PM   #7
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I would definitely grab the most convenient circuit nearby as others have
mentioned. The WH is a very low amps device on the DC side.
OTOH, if the fuse box is close and you have an empty fuse holder get
your power there.
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Old 10-19-2013, 05:06 PM   #8
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WOW, i have an '07 23SS and in the 7 years i've owned mine, i've never heard or seen a 23SS without the DSI water heater. never knew you could get one without it, since it's always been a standard option.
unless yours is from the first year it came out, 2005 or 2006.
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Old 10-19-2013, 05:22 PM   #9
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So good point. Dave, would you mind adding some information about your RV into your Profile and/or Signature? Both of those are in the UserCP link in the green bar in the top part of the screen. That will help people help you in the future and let us know where you're coming from when you start helping others.
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Old 10-20-2013, 06:47 AM   #10
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Thanks for everybody's reply. My 23ss is also a 2007 model (actually manufactured in 2006). The circuit I'm looking at tapping into is for the overhead lights. I'm thinking if I fire up the pilot light via the DSI before I turn on any lights, I'll probably never have any issues. The fuse box is on the other side of the coach about 15 feet from the HW heater. I'd have to run the new circuit under the trailer then back up through the floor. Also, I'm a little confused about the DC fuse panel. I see one red wire running to each fuse on the bus, but don't see a negative bus like you typically see in an AC circuit panel. Sorry for my dumb question, but I assume the red wires are positive (hot) and the whites are neutral??? Why isn't there a neutral bus on the panel with white wires running to it??
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Old 10-20-2013, 07:09 AM   #11
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You can usually pick up the negative (ground) from anything metal as the units chassis is grounded. Most trailers are wired with both + & - together. There should be a ground lug in the fuse panel tho'.
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Old 10-20-2013, 07:14 AM   #12
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Yes there is a ground lug on the panel but just one heavy gauge white wire runs to it. I'm just used to an AC panel that has a separate individual white wire for each circuit clamped into the breaker bus. Thanks for your reply.
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