Adding electronic ignition to water heater?

[essness]

I've done a lot of reading but have not been able to find anything about this. I have a 2012 Grey Wolf 21RR that came with a manual light Suburban 6 gallon water heater.
Does anyone know if you can add electronic ignition to this unit?

Thanks for your help!

[sherdep]

weird cause most of the new ones are coming with electronic ignition

I would think you could add it

what model water heater do you have?

[essness]

I think it's a SW6P. I wish I would have thought to have them upgrade it

[dirttracker18]

Following this for sure. My 06 Salem is also manual light and would be great to change to electronic ignition.

Anyone know?

[sherdep]

Here is one way - adding a Hybrid Heating element
Hybrid Heat Electric Add-on for Water Heaters - PPL Motor Homes

I have bought a few things from PPLmotorhomes and have had good look so far - might be worth to either call Suburban and ask or call PPL and see what they say as well

[dirttracker18]

Interesting idea but I think the OP wants an electronic lighter for his propane HWT. Meaning he can light the tank by the push of a button instead of having to go outside and light the tank manually.

At least that what I was thinking for myself.

Now that idea you posted is interesting too! Seeing as how I am going to be mostly parked at the parents cottage for the next two summers with full hook ups.

[sherdep]

Originally Posted by dirttracker18

Interesting idea but I think the OP wants an electronic lighter for his propane HWT. Meaning he can light the tank by the push of a button instead of having to go outside and light the tank manually.

At least that what I was thinking for myself.

Now that idea you posted is interesting too! Seeing as how I am going to be mostly parked at the parents cottage for the next two summers with full hook ups.

I was thinking he would also want to add the electric heating element as well.

According to the video I watched all three model's of the 6 gallon suburban are the same - I bet just buying the parts to convert it would do the trick but I would verify that before buying them - am just throwing some ideas out there since essentially all 3 6 gallon units are the same with the exception of how it heats / lights the pilot

[prof_fate]

the research I did on this (as I have the same water heater) is the best solution is to buy the electronic start model and change them out - about $350-400, plus labor - and wiring too.

The add on elec heater is $100 and only 400 watts- it will help keep the water warm 'for free' as the elec is included in most sites, but again, you need to do some wiring.

I don't mind lighting the pilot and turning it all off before moving, i just don't like that it blows out now and then.

If I had elec start i'd be turning it off and on more often I suppose to save on propane, so the elec element seems like the best fix.

[essness]

Thanks for the ideas folks. I forgot to order the gas/electric dsi model

[08flagvlite]

That sounds like the best solution to me, also. EVEN if you added a DSI gas ignition, you still would need to add the power wiring for that and add a breaker; and if you just get an electric or gas DSI water heater, you'll have the benefit of choosing your heating source. Hate to say it now, BUT that is why you should look over the list of standard features and optional accessories when purchasing a new rig. Those more expensive Forest River models include those type of things as standard features on their units. Look on e bay for a water heater. You can find deals on them there. Randy

[essness]

Originally Posted by 08flagvlite

That sounds like the best solution to me, also. EVEN if you added a DSI gas ignition, you still would need to add the power wiring for that and add a breaker; and if you just get an electric or gas DSI water heater, you'll have the benefit of choosing your heating source. Hate to say it now, BUT that is why you should look over the list of standard features and optional accessories when purchasing a new rig. Those more expensive Forest River models include those type of things as standard features on their units. Look on e bay for a water heater. You can find deals on them there. Randy

Thanks 08! I had ordered one of these with everything on it. Unfortunately they couldnt get that done for when I need it for it's maiden voyage. I had to cancel the order and buy one from someone elses stock. In all the shuffleing, I forgot to have them change the water heater.

I'll have to see how this one performs and make a decision from there. At this point, the pilot does seem to get blown out real easy.

[Campster]

What you need is a Suburban Reignitor Kit. This is the one I got;

Suburban Reignitor Kit w/Instructions 520821 RVPartsNow.com
Depending on the serial number of your SW6P you might need kit #520790.

I called Suburban to verify the correct part number before I purchased mine. I purchased it from the above website. I still have not installed it, but by looking at he the directions I received it seems pretty straight forward.

I hope this helps..

[Campster]

I installed my water heater reignitor kit yesterday. Pretty easy installation, just followed the directions step by step. Had to run a 12v wire out to the water heater, tapped into the 12v wire inside that was used for the CO2 detector which is located in one of the compartments under one of the dinette seats.

The unit works great. Turn and hold down pilot knob then turn on the reignitor. Sparks start to fly between the ignitor and the pilot hood, then poof it lights the pilot. As long as there is a pilot flame there is no sparking. Tested it out by blowing out the pilot light, each time it would spark and relight the pilot. Much better then messing around with a long necked lighter. You just have to remember to turn the switch to the off position when not using the water heater or the ignitor will keep sparking. The instructions say there is an alarm when this happens, I didn't see or hear one?

If anyone would like a few pictures of what it looks like let me know and I could snap a few.

[essness]

Thanks Campster.

I'd be interested in a couple pics if it's not too much trouble.

[Campster]

No problem. I think my wife has our small digital camera with her. When she gets home I'll go out to the shed where we keep our trailer and snap a few.

Keep checking back here, it won't be until this afternoon.
It really is a pretty easy install, quite functional too. We bought our trailer used, not sure why anyone would not get an electronic ignitor at time of purchase.

The wiring is easy, you don't a separate breaker as this device hardly uses any current to create a spark. Any 12v wire that you can tap into close by will do. In fact, for the required holes needed for the install there were little dimples in the sheet metal to show you where to drill your holes.

[essness]

Originally Posted by Campster

No problem. I think my wife has our small digital camera with her. When she gets home I'll go out to the shed where we keep our trailer and snap a few.

Keep checking back here, it won't be until this afternoon.
It really is a pretty easy install, quite functional too. We bought our trailer used, not sure why anyone would not get an electronic ignitor at time of purchase.

The wiring is easy, you don't a separate breaker as this device hardly uses any current to create a spark. Any 12v wire that you can tap into close by will do. In fact, for the required holes needed for the install there were little dimples in the sheet metal to show you where to drill your holes.

I forgot

Thanks Campster!

[Campster]

Have to wait until tomorrow for the pics, wifey forgot the camera at her work...sorry.

[Campster]

Here are some pics of the same kit I installed I found on google.

The first one shows the complete kit.
The second one shows the dimples where to drill the holes.
The third one shows the kit installed.

If you need some other pictures let me know, I'll have our camera back by then.

[essness]

That works for me Campster. Thanks for the effort I think I'll get one ordered.

[essness]

Thanks again Campster! I ordered it yesterday