Water heater electric switch question..

jtownstumpjumper · 01-30-2015, 08:43 PM

I followed a thread back a few months ago related to the electric on/off switch on the water heater and the discussion was how to move this switch from the outside water heater compartment inside the unit and put one in the control panel....with our 2014 Silverback33RL, if you want to run off propane, you have to go outside and turn off the electric switch, then back inside and turn on the propane water heater switch......I cannot find the thread now and was wondering if someone can help....thanks.

offroad · 01-30-2015, 09:30 PM

Just put a light switch in the circuit that goes to the breaker for the hot water heater.

Mount it anywhere that's convenient between the breaker and the hot water heater.
Then leave the a/c switch outside in the on position and use your switch to turn the hot water heater on and off.

**wmtire** · 01-30-2015, 09:41 PM

Is it this one by Iggy:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ter-54847.html

jtownstumpjumper · 01-30-2015, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmtire

Is it this one by Iggy:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ter-54847.html

I believe it is....thanks.

caper · 01-30-2015, 09:56 PM

Quote:

I followed a thread back a few months ago related to the electric on/off switch on the water heater and the discussion was how to move this switch from the outside water heater compartment inside the unit and put one in the control panel....with our 2014 Silverback33RL, if you want to run off propane, you have to go outside and turn off the electric switch, then back inside and turn on the propane water heater switch......I cannot find the thread now and was wondering if someone can help....thanks.

You can leave the switch on and run the propane at the same time. Some people use the breaker in the panel to turn off the electric side of the WH.

fonzie · 01-31-2015, 06:27 AM

Here is another thread.....

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ight-9008.html

cpaulsen · 01-31-2015, 07:00 AM

Installed a lighted switch on mine and always leave the little black switch in the on position at the water heater. I never turn it off when using propane which I very rarely use.

sail2liv · 01-31-2015, 08:06 AM

I leave my hot water heat switch on all the time....I only turn it off when I don t need amps on system or draining....if need to turn off without going outside I just flip the breaker inside.....so far no problems running the gas and electric together....or gas by itself.....if no 110.....everything working in my unit so not going to touch anything in system....intention of making things better is not always the outcome when fiddling...

Kaadk · 01-31-2015, 08:17 AM

Like other's have said, you don't need to turn of the electric side when you run propane. Only if there's no water in the tank. I leave my electric on all weekend, but occasionally flip to propane when showering to boost the recovery time. Shower done, just turn the propane off and leave it running on electric.

Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

DDC · 01-31-2015, 09:41 AM

I use both when we can but I like to turn off the electric side when we are leaving so I don't get the arcing when I plug in the next time.

**Flybob** · 01-31-2015, 09:43 AM

One word of caution. If you get in the habit of leaving the electric switch "on" all the time, you need to be careful that you don't drain the WH and then plug in to shore power before refilling it. This is easy to do if you plug in at home while packing for a trip or while cleaning after one. A simple reminder tag on your shore power connector will remind you. I use a small "Remove before Flight " tag available on ebay for < $11.

cat1956 · 01-31-2015, 09:45 AM

This is the switch I put in my 27rlws

pt1655 · 01-31-2015, 01:18 PM

offroad,
Geez, what a great, somewhat easy idea! My electrical panel in our Surveyor is very close to a great spot to mount a switch so your idea may work very well! I was having headaches trying to figure out how to access the outside switch and run wire inside, etc. Thanks!
Pete

jtownstumpjumper · 01-31-2015, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flybob

One word of caution. If you get in the habit of leaving the electric switch "on" all the time, you need to be careful that you don't drain the WH and then plug in to shore power before refilling it. This is easy to do if you plug in at home while packing for a trip or while cleaning after one. A simple reminder tag on your shore power connector will remind you. I use a small "Remove before Flight " tag available on ebay for < $11.

Okay, I think I follow your comment, but for someone who's installed a second on/off switch in the control panel and it's OFF then it shouldn't matter that the on/off switch outside is ON, correct?.....one shouldn't have to worry about the water heater when you hook to shore power because it shouldn't come on....is this correct thinking?

retiredcamper47 · 01-31-2015, 02:52 PM

The "new lighted switch" is installed between the breaker in the electrical panel and the on/off switch located at the water heater. The new switch controls the power to the tank, so leave the tank switch in the on position. When breaking camp, turn the "lighted switch" off (no light showing) and you are good to go. I have made this mod to my trailer and it works great.

Bob

**wmtire** · 02-01-2015, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtownstumpjumper

Okay, I think I follow your comment, but for someone who's installed a second on/off switch in the control panel and it's OFF then it shouldn't matter that the on/off switch outside is ON, correct?.....one shouldn't have to worry about the water heater when you hook to shore power because it shouldn't come on....is this correct thinking?

That would be correct, as the ones who have made this mod have stated.

I am going to point out one thing for maybe newer inexperienced members (reading this topic later), that really doesn't have anything to do with the mod topic at hand, but the electric heating element on the Suburban water heaters in general.

When the electric heating element is energized (the thermostat calls for heat), it will draw about 12 amps of electrical. If you are on a 30 amp power supply, then you will be limited as to what other electrical things can be used at the same time, as you will need to keep it around the 18 amp mark to keep from possibly overloading circuits and/or tripping breaker(s). 18 + 12 = 30 amps. Another way to think of it is, the electric heating element will use 40% of your available power, when it's energized and heating the water.

You will have to practice energy management, and learn what can be on (and thus what has to be off) at the same time to keep from overloading the power supply/breakers. If the breaker(s) trip, then you know that you are overloading something....but I always hate to put blind faith in the breakers tripping.....thus it's good to know in your head what you should/shouldn't use at the same time. Your air conditioner, microwave, and electric water heater element are 3 of your biggest factory installed RV electrical usage items. Most times, all 3 of these cannot be on at exactly the same time, without overloading a 30 amp supply.

Mark Polk has a great article here that really explains the 30 amp power supplies near the bottom:

http://rvservices.koa.com/rvinformat...lectricity.asp

Good thing is, with this mod, you can easily turn off the electric heating element without going outside....... when you need to turn it off (or make sure the heating element doesn't come on while other things are in use) ...... so you can use other electrical things and stay within your 30ish amp thresh hold.

mstephenson · 02-23-2015, 01:20 PM

i would like to know how to ask a question of someone who owns a forest river rv?

mstephenson · 02-23-2015, 01:23 PM

i guess i could just explain my problem, i am trying to find out if i have a gas and electric hot water heater. i have been outside to the heater itself and there is no black rocker switch on the heater itself and i do not have a breaker labeled inside for a hot water breaker. i have been told that it should be both? thanks

Happy Vibe · 02-23-2015, 01:26 PM

If you list the model and part number of the water heater I sure someone could give you an answer.

SuicideSaints · 02-23-2015, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstephenson

i guess i could just explain my problem, i am trying to find out if i have a gas and electric hot water heater. i have been outside to the heater itself and there is no black rocker switch on the heater itself and i do not have a breaker labeled inside for a hot water breaker. i have been told that it should be both? thanks

You could write down the nomenclature and research it?

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