Roo water heater

[Sparkyjcm]

Do I need to turn on the water heater switch outside on the heater itself each time I need hot water? It seems I do so I'm trying to figure out the purpose of the inside switch. Thanks.

[Mr. Dan]

Who made the water heater... Surburban or Atwood? If it's a Suburban, it MAY have an outside switch for the electric heating element and an inside switch for the propane burner.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Sparkyjcm

Do I need to turn on the water heater switch outside on the heater itself each time I need hot water? It seems I do so I'm trying to figure out the purpose of the inside switch. Thanks.

The outside side switch is electric ONLY.
The inside switch is propane ONLY.

Do NOT turn the outside electric switch until you make sure there's water in the WH, otherwise you'll burn out the electric heating element.

Remember the electric side is 110v AC only.

Sad to say but you must have had a poor PDI if they didn't explain how to use both sides of the WH.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Sparkyjcm

Do I need to turn on the water heater switch outside on the heater itself each time I need hot water? It seems I do so I'm trying to figure out the purpose of the inside switch. Thanks.

See if this detailed FAQ can help, as the Suburban water heater is one of the most confused appliances.

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

[Sparkyjcm]

Thanks. I'll read that pdf. Yes, meant to say I'm only talking about electric. I have an electric switch on the inside as well as on the heater. I also have a gas switch but I understand that part. Just trying to figure out why two electric switches if I have to go outside regardless. Seems useless.

[rockfordroo]

Some RV's have water heaters with both a switch for gas and a switch for electric inside. The switch for electric inside is so you DON'T have to go outside. Once you know your WH is full, you turn on the outside one and leave it on, then use the inside one to turn electric on or off as desired.

For example, if it's hot outside, you might want the electric off to the water heater while you run your AC. Once it cools down at night, you might shut off the AC and turn on the water heater.

However, I was not aware any Roo's had the inside switch for electric.

[Sparkyjcm]

In the link above I see this

With the SWDEL model, although there is a switch inside the RV for the electric heating element, there is still a 120 volt AC second switch on the face of the water heater as shown in post # 1 of this thread. You can control the on/off function of the electric heating element from this inside switch as long as the outside switch, on the face of the water heater, is in the on position. It will not work if you switch the outside secondary switch off.

According to this I just need to leave on the switch outside 100% of the time and control it with the inside switch. Thanks for posting. I'll try that out, although I'll feel a little funny leaving the outside switch on all the time. Hope it's right.

[Sparkyjcm]

Thanks rockfordroo. I didn't see your post until after I posted.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Sparkyjcm

In the link above I see this

With the SWDEL model, although there is a switch inside the RV for the electric heating element, there is still a 120 volt AC second switch on the face of the water heater as shown in post # 1 of this thread. You can control the on/off function of the electric heating element from this inside switch as long as the outside switch, on the face of the water heater, is in the on position. It will not work if you switch the outside secondary switch off.

According to this I just need to leave on the switch outside 100% of the time and control it with the inside switch. Thanks for posting. I'll try that out, although I'll feel a little funny leaving the outside switch on all the time. Hope it's right.

You are absolutely correct. My Mini Lite didn't have an inside switch, so I installed one.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Sparkyjcm

According to this I just need to leave on the switch outside 100% of the time and control it with the inside switch. Thanks for posting. I'll try that out, although I'll feel a little funny leaving the outside switch on all the time. Hope it's right.

Well, not maybe 100% of the time. Whenever you pull the anode rod (or the heater has no water in it) then it's a good idea to go ahead and flip the outside switch OFF, so there is no chance that you or a child could possibly accidently flip the inside switch on and energize the electric heating element (thus burning it up with no water in the heater).

If the outside switch is OFF on the SWDEL model, then any accidental turning of the inside switch to ON, will have no effect.

If you do pull the anode and/or drain the heater, that outside switch is just right there. Too easy to just flip it OFF for safety sake before pulling the anode rod.

[Drenjoey]

We have a Roo 2016, and my outside switch is ON all the time. I control the WH from inside (electric or propane switch)

[RACarvalho]

Yes, they have two switches.
I leave my (the one at the WH) in the "on" position all the time and control the WH from the inside.
I understood that it's there in order that when you drain your WH you turn it off so no chance of accidentally burning the element as was said.

[Sparkyjcm]

Thanks all. This makes me feel better about leaving the outside switch on. Other than taking out diode etc.