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Old 02-09-2018, 09:04 PM   #1
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Sandpiper 378FB

My friend just purchased a new to them 2016 378FB. The question we have is, we can find only one switch for the water heater. One position lights up the switch while the other position, the light goes out. Next to it is a light that we assume is the propane fault light which should light up momentarily when the burner attempts to light. What we can't find is the switch for the Propane mode.

Any help would be appreciated.
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Old 02-09-2018, 09:53 PM   #2
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My experience is that switch is to turn on the WHTR in propane and outside at the water heater you will find a switch to operate it on electric
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Old 02-09-2018, 10:03 PM   #3
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My experience is that switch is to turn on the WHTR in propane and outside at the water heater you will find a switch to operate it on electric

So, on the Sandpipers, the ONLY switch for the Suburban WH 120v operation is the "outside" switch? First I've ever seen that on any of mine or other friends rigs. Something new on the newest models ??
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Old 02-09-2018, 10:10 PM   #4
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It is very common to have the electric switch at the water heater, Yours may be different.
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Old 02-09-2018, 10:25 PM   #5
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It is very common to have the electric switch at the water heater, Yours may be different.
I know the Suburban has the external switch and the Atwoods do not. I've had both brands in my RV's and this is the first Suburban system I've seen with no internal switch also.
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Old 02-09-2018, 10:33 PM   #6
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Electric sw is outside. You need to turn off the propane igniter switch inside or it will run on both Electric and gas. At least that's how mine works.
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Old 02-10-2018, 02:03 AM   #7
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I know the Suburban has the external switch and the Atwoods do not. I've had both brands in my RV's and this is the first Suburban system I've seen with no internal switch also.
Most Suburban WHs have the electric on the WH and is accessed from the outside WH hatch.
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Old 02-10-2018, 06:22 AM   #8
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So, on the Sandpipers, the ONLY switch for the Suburban WH 120v operation is the "outside" switch? First I've ever seen that on any of mine or other friends rigs. Something new on the newest models ??
My 02 suburban is electric outside Propane igniter inside. A second electric sw is mounted in the cabinet under the sink out of sight in the electric line.
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Old 02-10-2018, 06:25 AM   #9
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My friend just purchased a new to them 2016 378FB. The question we have is, we can find only one switch for the water heater. One position lights up the switch while the other position, the light goes out. Next to it is a light that we assume is the propane fault light which should light up momentarily when the burner attempts to light. What we can't find is the switch for the Propane mode.

Any help would be appreciated.
the inside switch turns the gas igniter on and off. At least my 02 Wildcat does.
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Old 02-10-2018, 07:58 AM   #10
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I know the Suburban has the external switch and the Atwoods do not. I've had both brands in my RV's and this is the first Suburban system I've seen with no internal switch also.
It just depends on which model of Suburban, as to if it will have an inside switch to the electric heating element. (They all have an inside switch to the propane burner though)

The Suburban SWDE model only has a switch to the electric heating element on the face of the water heater.

The Suburban SWDEL adds the additional switch located inside the RV next to the propane/dsi switch which you described in your first post.

Both the SWDE and SWDEL models (and operation of it's switches) can be found in this detailed FAQ we keep at this link:

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

Hope this helps and fully explains it all.
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Old 02-10-2018, 09:10 AM   #11
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When we had a Cedar Creek the electric switch was on the unit, I used to just turn off the breaker inside when we were not using the water heater ( in storage or at home loading )
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Old 02-10-2018, 11:13 AM   #12
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Thanks guys. We will look for another switch elsewhere. But, that wouldn't make sense since the "Convenience Center" seems to be the trend on these newer units to control these things all in one place.

If we can't find one, we'll assume the only way to control the 120v side of the WH is the outside switch or circuit breaker.
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Old 02-10-2018, 11:21 AM   #13
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Thanks guys. We will look for another switch elsewhere. But, that wouldn't make sense since the "Convenience Center" seems to be the trend on these newer units to control these things all in one place.

If we can't find one, we'll assume the only way to control the 120v side of the WH is the outside switch or circuit breaker.
The switch you are looking for is only about 1" x 1" and is black. It is installed by the WH manufacture. Mine is on the left bottom side. But mine is 15 years old.
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Old 02-10-2018, 11:21 AM   #14
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Thanks guys. We will look for another switch elsewhere. But, that wouldn't make sense since the "Convenience Center" seems to be the trend on these newer units to control these things all in one place.

If we can't find one, we'll assume the only way to control the 120v side of the WH is the outside switch or circuit breaker.
Before you go chasing a white rabbit, just open up the outside cover to the water heater and note the model of the water heater (should be a tag there). If it's a SW?DE model. then you shouldn't have an inside switch to the electric element (if it's even equipped with one as not all water heaters that Forest River uses have it) It could possibly be a SW?D model, which does not have an electric element at all.
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Old 02-10-2018, 11:31 AM   #15
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Before you go chasing a white rabbit, just open up the outside cover to the water heater and note the model of the water heater (should be a tag there). If it's a SW?DE model. then you shouldn't have an inside switch to the electric element (if it's even equipped with one as not all water heaters that Forest River uses have it) It could possibly be a SW?D model, which does not have an electric element at all.
Thanks wmtire, will check!
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Old 02-10-2018, 04:26 PM   #16
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Thanks wmtire, will check!

Took pics of mine & his;

Mine is a SW12DEL with an external & inside switch.

His is a SW10DE with an external switch only?

First 3 pics are mine and the last 3 are of his Sandpiper.
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Old 02-10-2018, 04:30 PM   #17
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Well....the pics were right side up in my folder.
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Old 02-10-2018, 04:30 PM   #18
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Took pics of mine & his;

Mine is a SW12DEL with an external & inside switch.

His is a SW10DE with an external switch only?
And that's exactly as they are both supposed to be wired.....as explained in the FAQ link I previously posted.

No need to go further. That rabbit has been nabbed.

You can now explain to your friend how to operate his SW10DE water heater. Maybe get a free dinner out of it.

P.S. FYI, the 10 and 12 in both of your model numbers are the water heaters tank capacity in gallons. You can brag yours is bigger.

P.S. X2 : We expect your friend to also join the forums now that he's family.
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Old 02-10-2018, 04:34 PM   #19
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And that's exactly as they are both supposed to be wired.....as explained in the FAQ link I previously posted.

No need to go further. That rabbit has been nabbed.

You can now explain to your friend how to operate his SW10DE water heater. Maybe get a free dinner out of it.

Haaa, just posted for clarification. I had already told him based on your FAQ. Just got done with a spaghetti dinner including Texas toast since you mentioned it!!
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Old 02-10-2018, 04:55 PM   #20
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The lighted switch at the panel is for the propane, go out and open the panel on the hot water tank and there is a switch in the lower right corner for the electric element. By the way you can use both the propane and the electric at the same time for faster hot water recovery. I hope you enjoy the 378fb, we have a 2017 and love it. Have fun
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