Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-30-2015, 04:43 PM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 40
How to turn Electric water heater off on 2016 21fbrs

When I plug up to power my electric water heater automaticly turns on. The only Water heater switch is on the panel and it turns on the gas water heater. There must be some way to cut it off. I would like to leave my 21fbrs plugged in so the DV can run the air when doing stuff and getting ready for camping without running the water heater. Anybody know how. I would like to install a switch.
scottfarm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2015, 04:50 PM   #2
Site Team
 
KyDan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,505
It would help if you post the make and model number of your WH. I'll guess there is a switch behind the burner tube. Have a good look there.
__________________
Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
KyDan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2015, 04:54 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
themounties's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Moundsville Wv
Posts: 1,504
DW turns off the breaker when we leave, ours has a switch on the outside where you would take out the plug to winterize, hope that helps
__________________
2003 Duramax
2010 Blue Ridge
1 DW
1 mutt
on occasion 1 DD
themounties is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2015, 04:59 PM   #4
Site Team
 
Flybob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,243
Sounds like you have a suburban WH. The switch is in the lower left corner of the heater You need to open the outside access panel. it is hidden behind the gas line. It may have a cotter pin in it to prevent it from being turned on by accident. CAUTION. if the electric element is energized with the water heater empty, it will burn up the element in seconds.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Suburban WH.jpg
Views:	177
Size:	57.5 KB
ID:	81762  
__________________

2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
TST Tire Monitors
Honda 2000I + Companion
2 100W solar panels
Flybob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2015, 05:06 PM   #5
Site Team - Lou
 
Herk7769's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
Like Flybob said look in the lower left hand corner of the outside access panel for the water heater.

Just switch it off and leave it off till you absolutely need it.

Like a camper full of folks who need showers; then turn both switches on - gas and electric. Turn the AC switch back off and pin it off.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Outside picture of Water Heater.jpg
Views:	376
Size:	66.4 KB
ID:	81764   Click image for larger version

Name:	Rocker Switch.jpg
Views:	147
Size:	59.7 KB
ID:	81765  
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Herk7769 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2015, 05:25 PM   #6
Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 40
I see it now said the blind man. I called myself looking for it, just didn't look hard enough. Thanks everyone. Record response time.
scottfarm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-01-2015, 03:01 PM   #7
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 59
Open the exterior cover of the water heater, look for a small switch. It is pretty well hidden but should find it. If not turn the breaker off.
tgold is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-01-2015, 03:40 PM   #8
ARLO
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: N Chili, NY
Posts: 908
Switch

I was able to add a lighted switch w/ pilot light inside the unit right next to the thermostat. It works great and saves me from the finger cuts.
rlocicero is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-03-2015, 08:57 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 423
My circuit breaker box has a switch type breaker that I turn off.
txredfish is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2015, 06:44 AM   #10
Site Team - Lou
 
Herk7769's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
Quote:
Originally Posted by txredfish View Post
My circuit breaker box has a switch type breaker that I turn off.
It is not recommended to use a circuit breaker as a switch when the circuit is energized. It is NOT designed to do that. It is designed to open during a current overload and will not close until it cools down and is manually reset.

When routinely forced open when energized, the contacts in the circuit breaker will become burnt from arcing; the resistance will increase; when powered, the increased resistance will cause the breaker to run hot; draw excessive current, and open prematurely.

Find the on/off switch and use that. It is designed to switch when powered and why they put one there.
Attached Images
 
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Herk7769 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2015, 07:48 AM   #11
WFD
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,947
I click off my "Main" circuit breaker on the panel of the trailer every time before I disconnect from my power supply at home or the RV park or campground...from what you are saying I should not be doing that? I do use a surge guard protector.
__________________
2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 Duramax
2016 Rockwood 8289WS, Diamond Pkg.
WFD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2015, 06:54 PM   #12
Site Team - Lou
 
Herk7769's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
Quote:
Originally Posted by WFD View Post
I click off my "Main" circuit breaker on the panel of the trailer every time before I disconnect from my power supply at home or the RV park or campground...from what you are saying I should not be doing that? I do use a surge guard protector.
That is exactly what I am saying. Since campgrounds do not provide "Service Disconnects" at their pedestals and offer you no proper alternative; USE THEIR circuit breakers to depower your camper when disconnecting.

Trip Off their circuit breaker before you plug in and trip off their circuit breaker before you unplug.

This saves the blades on your cables and sockets as well as your main circuit protection in the camper (not to mention arcing your expensive Surge Guard!!!)
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Herk7769 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2015, 07:16 PM   #13
Georgia Rally Coordinator
 
aceinspp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,293
Herk7769 X 2 Later RJD
__________________
2020 Shasta Phoenix SPF 27RKSS (sold)
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 6.4 3:73 gearing. Traded 2015 Chevy 2500 6.0, 4:10
Traded 2015 30WRLIKS V-Lite
Days camped 2019 62
Days camped 2020 49 days camped 2021-74 2022-40 days 2023 5 days
aceinspp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2015, 07:29 PM   #14
B47
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Keller, Texas
Posts: 6,090
Quote:
Originally Posted by Herk7769 View Post
It is not recommended to use a circuit breaker as a switch when the circuit is energized. It is NOT designed to do that. It is designed to open during a current overload and will not close until it cools down and is manually reset.

When routinely forced open when energized, the contacts in the circuit breaker will become burnt from arcing; the resistance will increase; when powered, the increased resistance will cause the breaker to run hot; draw excessive current, and open prematurely.

Find the on/off switch and use that. It is designed to switch when powered and why they put one there.
I remember there being a thread sometime ago discussing the use of a cb instead of a switch in circuits. Many different opinions both pro and con,but what you said here has always been my position regarding the use of each device - a switch to switch and a cb to break a circuit.
B47 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2015, 12:57 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
jeff64's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: N. Illinois
Posts: 2,371
Quote:
Originally Posted by Herk7769 View Post
Like Flybob said look in the lower left hand corner of the outside access panel for the water heater.

Just switch it off and leave it off till you absolutely need it.

Like a camper full of folks who need showers; then turn both switches on - gas and electric. Turn the AC switch back off and pin it off.
Never noticed the hole in the switch for the hairpin cotter. Ill have to look for that, and use it. Peepoor design on FR's part to not have a lighted switch for electric ops on the main switch panel. Wonder how many times this got left on an the TT hooked up to shore power when the owner got home and bye bye WH element
jeff64 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2015, 02:16 PM   #16
Site Team
 
Mr. Dan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Grayson County, Texas
Posts: 21,473
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff64 View Post
Never noticed the hole in the switch for the hairpin cotter. Ill have to look for that, and use it. Peepoor design on FR's part to not have a lighted switch for electric ops on the main switch panel. Wonder how many times this got left on an the TT hooked up to shore power when the owner got home and bye bye WH element
It just MAY BE that this design takes into consideration the fact that almost everyone who hooks up their campground water hose is standing within a few feet of the pressure release valve (to ensure their water heater tank is filled) and a few feet from this switch by which one turns ON the electric portion of their water heater. This same location is where one stands to unhook ones campground water hose. Some ask "why should I have to go outside to turn on my water heater electric portion?"... but I don't have to go outside. I'm already outside. I'm outside when I hook up my water hose and test for a full tank. Why wouldn't I turn on the little black switch at that time? Why wouldn't I turn off that switch before I UNhook my campground water hose when I'm preparing to leave the camp?

My process may not work for those who don't use a campground water hose. Those folks may not have anything to do on the ground so they wouldn't be near this switch. Oh wait. You have to be on the ground and outside your unit if you hook up your electric cord to a power pedestal or we probably wouldn't be talking about frying our electric element. So, in that case, when you're hooking up to power, check the switch at that time and only turn the switch ON if it's needed.
__________________
2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra

Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
Mr. Dan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2015, 02:28 PM   #17
Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 59
did you look at heater behind outside panel should be switch there.
ernestmiller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2015, 02:30 PM   #18
Site Team
 
Mr. Dan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Grayson County, Texas
Posts: 21,473
Quote:
Originally Posted by ernestmiller View Post
did you look at heater behind outside panel should be switch there.
Sorry. To whom are you addressing this statement collection?
__________________
2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra

Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
Mr. Dan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2015, 02:38 PM   #19
Site Team
 
bikendan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,554
[QUOTE=jeff64;915030 Peepoor design on FR's part to not have a lighted switch for electric ops on the main switch panel. [/QUOTE]

don't know why you're blaming FR, for a design by Suburban?
FR has nothing to do with how Surburban designs their WHs and furnaces.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
bikendan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2015, 02:54 PM   #20
B47
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Keller, Texas
Posts: 6,090
Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
don't know why you're blaming FR, for a design by Suburban?
FR has nothing to do with how Surburban designs their WHs and furnaces.
Can't agree with your "FR has nothing to do with how Surburan designs their WHs and furnaces." If a product can be improved and the manufacturer doesn't improve it,then FR can and should stop using that manufacturer and get another.

If FR truly wants to provide their customers with a high quality RV, as they claim, then they should look at each appliance they purchase from their vendors from the customer point of view.

I'm not saying the current design is in need of re-design (I never had a problem with it), but don't let FR off the hook for not looking for ways to improve their product.
B47 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
electric, heater, water, water heater

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:24 AM.