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Old 09-26-2016, 09:19 AM   #1
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Water Heater....No Instructions...camping currently ;>}

Hello,

How do I turn water heater on?

RV Brand
Forest River Wildwood
RV Year and Model
2015 262BHXL

Camping at Hunting Island, SC......well worth it

Cheers,

Patrick Britt
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Old 09-26-2016, 09:26 AM   #2
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Before suggesting how to turn on the water heater, I'm going to ask...
Are you sure the water heater is full of water, and how do you know?

I'm not trying to be a hard ***** but knowledge of how to turn on the water heater is secondary to knowing that it is full of water or damage will result that will require way more technical ability than knowing how to simply turn on the water heater.
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Old 09-26-2016, 09:29 AM   #3
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What brand WH do you have?
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Old 09-26-2016, 09:33 AM   #4
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Not knowing the brand, this is just a 50/50 chance of you having a Suburban brand (not Atwood). If so, this detailed FAQ may help:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post327988
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Old 09-26-2016, 10:30 AM   #5
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A few years ago I had a Wildwood and it had an Atwood gas/electric water heater.
To use it with gas there was a switch on the control panel, I think, and for electric there was an on/off switch on the water heater itself.
Like the others said, be sure there is water in it. You can check this by gently lifting the pressure relief valve handle with the water connected and on. If the tank is full you will get water out of the valve, if not you will get air. If you get air just hold the valve open until you get water.
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Old 09-26-2016, 12:09 PM   #6
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Pictures of water heater - (model #193339?)

Good day! Thanks for the feedback.

A bit more info:
2015 262BHXL

OK, I found he release valve to fill the tank. There is also a reset button below and to the left of the release valve.

thanks,
Patrick Britt
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Old 09-26-2016, 12:19 PM   #7
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It is a Suburban brand. The operation is fully explained in the link provided in post #4.

Here is the link again:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post327988

Let us know if you have more questions after reading the link.
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Old 09-26-2016, 12:32 PM   #8
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Thanks everyone!

I found the electric switch and pump. now I just need to figure out how to turn on the gas part, lite the pilot, etc.

My wife thanks you!!
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Old 09-26-2016, 12:36 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SevenOfUsInGA View Post
I found the electric switch and pump. now I just need to figure out how to turn on the gas part, lite the pilot, etc.

My wife thanks you!!
There is no pilot light. It's direct spark ignition, and is fully explained in the link provided. Just click on the link either in post #4 or # 7 and get ready to read a little.
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Old 09-26-2016, 01:58 PM   #10
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You must be sure the water heater is not in the winterization position (bypassed). You may be best to start with propane only until you are confident about the state of the water heater. If you were to turn on the electric heater element with no water you may damage the element. Also if the element is on and then you add water you may damage the element.
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Old 09-26-2016, 01:58 PM   #11
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I am looking at those photos and do not see an AC element.
Are you sure that is not propane only?

Looks like two thermostats under the rubber (which seems to indicate Dual powered - AC and Gas), but I don't see the outside AC switch or AC heating element like in this photo.
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Old 09-26-2016, 02:02 PM   #12
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This is a link to a video I did about winterizing my trailer. It has a section on the water heater bypass valves and I think I mentioned the electric element switch. This was my first winterization and one of my first videos. I had a few mis-steps but it may help you to understand the water heater valves.

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Old 09-26-2016, 02:08 PM   #13
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FR WH

Quote:
Originally Posted by SevenOfUsInGA View Post
Hello,

How do I turn water heater on?

RV Brand
Forest River Wildwood
RV Year and Model
2015 262BHXL

Camping at Hunting Island, SC......well worth it

Cheers,

Patrick Britt
I have a 2013 FR. There is a switch inside close to the kitchen sink(also quite close to the wh). I would 1) make sure the lp is on 2) check your fusesWhen the switch is on in my unit, it glows red when it is calling for gas and quits glowing after it lights. GL
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Old 09-26-2016, 02:47 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jughrad View Post
This is a link to a video I did about winterizing my trailer. It has a section on the water heater bypass valves and I think I mentioned the electric element switch. This was my first winterization and one of my first videos. I had a few mis-steps but it may help you to understand the water heater valves.

Your video clearly shows the electric heating element that the photo did not.

An inside AC switch in not unusual on some models of water heater. (Not seeing the element threw me though).
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Old 09-26-2016, 04:54 PM   #15
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Is everyone sure this is a dsi? The instructions in the picture talk about lighting the pilot. And like Herk said I don't see the electric element.
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Old 09-26-2016, 05:14 PM   #16
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Yes, it's DSI which means it has an igniter for the propane side (described above). The orange wire at the bottom is the DSI igniter. It looks to be propane only - no electric element (mentioned above). That doesn't mean it doesn't have an electric igniter for the propane side.

On which line is the pilot mentioned?
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Old 09-26-2016, 06:05 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Dan View Post
Yes, it's DSI which means it has an igniter for the propane side (described above). The orange wire at the bottom is the DSI igniter. It looks to be propane only - no electric element (mentioned above). That doesn't mean it doesn't have an electric igniter for the propane side.

On which line is the pilot mentioned?
Correct Dan, as taken from Suburbans website;

Suburban - Water Heaters for RVs & Campers | Airxcel

This is a pilot light model:



and this is a direct spark ignition (DSI) model

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Old 09-26-2016, 08:03 PM   #18
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heater

Quote:
Originally Posted by wmtire View Post
Not knowing the brand, this is just a 50/50 chance of you having a Suburban brand (not Atwood). If so, this detailed FAQ may help:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post327988
Great information. Thank you
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Old 09-26-2016, 11:07 PM   #19
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That "relief valve" is nOT where you fill anything. Careful folks and you had better ask for some help from the people in the park
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Old 09-26-2016, 11:33 PM   #20
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X2 on the bypass valves. When I picked up our new 29KSWS from my dealer, I incorrectly assumed that it was ready to go camping. The person that gave me the familiarization tour didn't seem very knowledgeable. After using up a whole 30 lb tank of propane with it set AUTO to run on AC, I found that the refrigerator wasn't even plugged into the AC. Then I found that the water heater wasn't filling with water. Other than showing me where it was, I had no other instruction. After feeling around behind the tank, I found the bypass valves and switched them. Problem fixed. My TT has the switches for both electric and gas on the control panel fortunately.
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