Suburban sw6de - how to use

bpa098 · 07-04-2015, 01:36 PM

Ok for the first time I went to use my water heater and failed. Checked for water with pressure valve, all good. Switch by unit was off and I flipped the switch to on in the camper. Thought that would run in electric mode only. Nope. So opened the door to the unit, flipped the switch on, hit the reset button, gas fires up, had a nice shower.

So tell me how do I run in electric only mode, gas only and gas and electric together. Tried reading manual and that didn't help. Couldn't find a good video either. Need laymen terms lol

**wmtire** · 07-04-2015, 01:42 PM

This is one of the most confusing and frequently asked questions. We have a very detailed thread in the FAQ section here, Hold on and I will get the link:

**wmtire** · 07-04-2015, 01:43 PM

See if this link below helps, as it's supposed to be in simple terms. It's kind of long, but like I said is detailed.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ore-36197.html

bpa098 · 07-05-2015, 05:10 AM

Thank you!

bpa098 · 07-05-2015, 05:30 AM

Ok now that I'm sober and read it again I'm pretty sure I got it. So when all set up at camp and everything is filled/hooked up....

Propane only.... just flip the dsi switch inside the camper

Electric only... turn on the switch on the water heater

Electric and propane... hit both switches

**wmtire** · 07-05-2015, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpa098

Ok now that I'm sober and read it again I'm pretty sure I got it. So when all set up at camp and everything is filled/hooked up....

Propane only.... just flip the dsi switch inside the camper

Electric only... turn on the switch on the water heater

Electric and propane... hit both switches

That's it.

However, it's advisable to only take RV showers when you ARE sober and/or on full hookups. It makes quite the mess if you pass out in the shower and the grey tanks fill up.

Uhhm I think I read about it somewhere, happening to a friend of mine, or something.

bpa098 · 07-05-2015, 10:40 AM

Lol ya I was sober at shower time. I left the electric switch on but don't have hot water, gonna have to check fuses, of course the fuses and breakers aren't labeled.

**wmtire** · 07-05-2015, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpa098

Lol ya I was sober at shower time. I left the electric switch on but don't have hot water, gonna have to check fuses, of course the fuses and breakers aren't labeled.

The fuses go to 12 volt things like your propane DSI. The water heater on electric will have a circuit breaker. If you ever turned on the electric heating element without water in the tank, then it may have fried the element.This is common.

Also, you have TWO hi-limit temperature emergency cut offs that are built onto the thermostats, both for the propane and electric heating element. Both of these are underneath two rubber covers on the face of the water heater. One is for the propane and the other is for the electric heating element.

If you are sure there is water in the heater, then you can press the resets on the rubber cover and see if the electric element comes on. If not, you may have other problems.

We have also seen that the electric element is not even plugged in to an outlet on new trailers. Access behind the water heater, and see if the power cord is even plugged in. You will have to gain access to the back of the heater from inside your RV....thru a cabinet, fake panel, drawer, etc.

DustyRoads · 07-05-2015, 11:46 AM

The timing of this post is incredible. I will be testing this out this coming week. I didn't know my year old trailer had a gas/electric water heater. Not sure how it will do with my house power but I like to test things at home prior to traveling. Thank you!!

uhduh camping · 07-05-2015, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomMcL

The timing of this post is incredible. I will be testing this out this coming week. I didn't know my year old trailer had a gas/electric water heater. Not sure how it will do with my house power but I like to test things at home prior to traveling. Thank you!!

If it is the only 120V item on WH will work fine. Just make sure WH is full first. You will burn up element instantly if it's dry.

Harkerr · 07-05-2015, 01:23 PM

The water heater on electric may overload a 30 amp circuit when air and microwave are on. In those cases run on propane and save the amps for the AC unit. Always good to have a voltmeter to see what is happening.

bpa098 · 07-05-2015, 01:29 PM

I'll diagnosis at home this week, headed back soon. No breakers are triped. This was the first time I turned electric on and know water was in there, if it's fried it happened before I took delivery. I can easily get to the back of the heater once we unpack at home

uhduh camping · 07-05-2015, 01:36 PM

The hot wire on my unit was not connected to circuit breaker when we got it. Check outlet to see if it's hot. There is a second switch in the inside mounted on junction box where 120V comes in. Have not traced it's purpose may want to explore your WH where your hot and cold lines connect to tank.

bpa098 · 07-06-2015, 05:53 AM

All set guys, thanks for the info and assistance. Came home checked everything you mentioned. For electric only I found the reset button needed to be hit. Thought I hit that previously. The one good thing about having troubles is you learn from them. Thanks again for the help. Had an amazing trip with my family, about 20 of us laughing and joking and having a good old time

deebarjay · 07-06-2015, 11:14 AM

wmtire and harkerr .....went out to my rig and opened the hotwater door...saw what you were talking about....had seen the elec switch before but not the reset buttons....I am now clued up....thanks [and I now know what DSI means and does

]

TURBS · 07-06-2015, 11:21 AM

"Op" bpa098
What was your method for making "sure" the water heater was full of water?

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "11 nights"