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Old 04-05-2015, 07:36 AM   #1
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Kind of an odd ommision... No interior electric hot water switch...

So, my 395 doesn't have an inside switch for the electric element on the hot water heater. Had three other RV's in the past 6 years and they all had the electric switch right next to the propane switch. On my 395, it's outside behind the access panel for the tank. Is this model specific or brand specific? Anyone else with a different XLR model have an interior switch?

I think it's going on my hit list of things to add.
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Old 04-05-2015, 07:47 AM   #2
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All of the RVs we have had the (Elect. On/Off switch) was Outside behind the W/H cover. They all had (Suburban W/H). Youroo!!
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Old 04-05-2015, 07:50 AM   #3
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Interesting. It must be a water heater brand specific thing rather than the RV's brand. We had an Arctic Fox, a Keystone Cougar High Country, and a Heartland Road Warrior. All had inside switches. I bet they all had Atwood water heaters?
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Old 04-05-2015, 08:19 AM   #4
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We also didn't have an interior switch for the electric side of the hot water heater but are having one installed while we are having some other things done.
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Old 04-05-2015, 08:24 AM   #5
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Our Rockwood did not have an inside switch. I often used the circuit breaker. Our Wildcat has an inside switch.


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Old 04-05-2015, 08:25 AM   #6
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I just figured out how I'm going to do it. I have an empty spot on my control panel. I'm going to buy a round red lighted 120v rocker switch and put it in the empty space on my panel. Then I'll just switch the 120v output from the HW breaker which is right below the panel.
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Old 04-05-2015, 08:31 AM   #7
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Quote:
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Is this model specific or brand specific?
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All had inside switches. I bet they all had Atwood water heaters?
The Suburban brand water heater has an electric switch on the face of the heater.

However, Suburban does have an option to have an inside switch. I think that is up to the RV manufacturer, if they want to purchase/install that option. It's possible some of your previous RV's could have had a Suburban water heater, and an inside electric heating element switch similar to below.



We have several members here, who have Forest River products with a Suburban brand water heater, with a factory installed inside switch. I believe Turbs is one of these members.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post337328

I also remember just seeing where Bclemens mentioned the same.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post782825

Bclemens also informed the members of an interesting tidbit, that I actually verified at a recent RV show in my hometown. He stated that you can look at the outside access door to the water heater, and if the tab that you turn to open the door is metal, then it's an Atwood water heater.....and if it's plastic, it's a Suburban.
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Old 04-05-2015, 09:11 AM   #8
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Here's my switch.
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Old 04-05-2015, 09:28 AM   #9
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Thanks Turbs. Mine are round rocker switches so I'm going with one of these.

I've got two plugged holes in my panel so I'll pop out the filler plug in one of them and add my switch. Then it's as easy as a piece of romex to tie into the output of the breaker.
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Old 04-05-2015, 11:04 AM   #10
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When I picked mine up - I was told if electric switch on outside was left on it would automatically switch between gas and electric depending if your plugged in out.. - seems true - I got hot water and not hooked to power switch on - guess I'll have to look to see if there is flame burning when I hook to power to confirm.


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Old 04-05-2015, 11:17 AM   #11
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I don't think that's true. I know it isn't in my trailer or any other I've owned. You can run both at once to speed recovery time or both independently but no auto switching between the two.
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Old 04-05-2015, 11:26 AM   #12
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Thanks Turbs. Mine are round rocker switches so I'm going with one of these.

I've got two plugged holes in my panel so I'll pop out the filler plug in one of them and add my switch. Then it's as easy as a piece of romex to tie into the output of the breaker.
a length of multistrand TNNN wire better suited than romex I believe...
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Old 04-05-2015, 11:48 AM   #13
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It's what's on the shelf...
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Old 04-05-2015, 12:15 PM   #14
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I would check the power ratings on that switch and compare with the needs of the water heater. They draw some major power and not sure that switch will be up to the task.. but only the actual ratings will tell for sure.

I will be at some point wiring in a regular lighted household switch to make sure it doesn't overload the switch.



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Old 04-05-2015, 12:33 PM   #15
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Yes the water heater does pull some power, an LED switch not so much.
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Old 04-05-2015, 12:35 PM   #16
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Thanks Turbs. Mine are round rocker switches so I'm going with one of these.

I've got two plugged holes in my panel so I'll pop out the filler plug in one of them and add my switch. Then it's as easy as a piece of romex to tie into the output of the breaker.
The panel may not be approved for 110vac switches. Can not mix 12vdc and 110vac in the same enclosure.
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Old 04-05-2015, 12:36 PM   #17
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Hot water tank switch

I was told by the dealer that the electric switch for the hot water tank was purposefully placed outside. It seems that if the tank is dry the electric heating element will QUICKLY burn out. Not so if the HWT is run on gas with the tank dry (for a short period any way).

Being outside next to the water supply will supposedly remind you to fill the HWT.

Our previous HILO had both switches inside.

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Old 04-05-2015, 12:59 PM   #18
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I am in agreement with most. My 06 Wildwood 22FBS has the rocker style electric switch mounted within the access panel for the water outside the trailer. I sometimes think about remounting it as it currently sits right behind a large line and is very hard to get to.
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Old 04-05-2015, 01:11 PM   #19
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When I picked mine up - I was told if electric switch on outside was left on it would automatically switch between gas and electric depending if your plugged in out.. - seems true - I got hot water and not hooked to power switch on - guess I'll have to look to see if there is flame burning when I hook to power to confirm.


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Never seen or heard there being anything automatic on the Suburban water heaters. You may want to research this, as the person telling you it, may not have known better.

You have two separate systems of heating...propane or the electric heating element. Each system has it's own switch.

The propane side has a switch to turn on/off the DSI (Direct Spark Ignitor) which makes the electric generated sparks to ignite the propane. The propane side can be used at any time, provided you have propane and 12 volt DC power.

The electric side has it's own separate switch to turn on/off the electric heating element inside the water heater. You can only use the electric side when plugged into some form of 120 volt AC shore power/generator.

You can have both sides turned on at the same time (remember nothing automatic, it's all manual with the flip of switches)..or use one or the other depending on your needs and availability of 120 volt power.

Problem is, if you leave that electric switch on, and drain the water out of the heater, then you will burn up the electric heating element the next time 120 volt power is connected........as it's not automatic.

This FAQ may help explain it further:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ore-36197.html
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Old 04-05-2015, 01:41 PM   #20
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The LED rocker switch I posted is rated to 16 amps @ 120v so, plenty for the heater. As to mixing 12 and 120 volts in the panel, I could 100 percent care less if it's rated to do so. The panel is no different than a spot on the wall with a 12v switch mounted next to a 120v switch. Means nothing...
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