Hot water tank on when switched off??

dennislj · 08-21-2021, 08:03 PM

Hi I have a new to me 2014 Roo 23 ikss. I noticed that when hooked up to city electric and city water that my water heater is running when I haven't turned on the switch. I don't know if it is using gas or electricity to provide heat. Probably a dumb question if the water heater only uses gas to heat the tank.

Why would it be on when I haven't hit the switch to turn the water heater on?

chriscowles · 08-21-2021, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennislj

Hi I have a new to me 2014 Roo 23 ikss. I noticed that when hooked up to city electric and city water that my water heater is running when I haven't turned on the switch. I don't know if it is using gas or electricity to provide heat. Probably a dumb question if the water heater only uses gas to heat the tank.

Why would it be on when I haven't hit the switch to turn the water heater on?

Some water heaters having both gas and electric heat sources have switches for both on the indoor control panel. Others have both gas and electric heat sources but have an inside switch only for gas. Where there is only one switch, it refers to gas, whether or not it actually says that. Is that what you see?

For those with only one switch but two heat sources, the electric heat element can be controlled from the inside by the breaker in the power center and from the outside by a small switch on the water heater itself. Both must be on for it to work. They may both be on and heating the water, despite the switch labeled "water heater" on the control panel being off.

Backcountryboondocker · 08-21-2021, 08:12 PM

Have you checked the compartment to the actual hot water heater to see if there is a switch for it? Mine has an electric use switch on the outside of the trailer, in the water heater compartment. (You take the outside door off to get to it) My switch inside the trailer is for using propane.

bob213 · 08-21-2021, 08:19 PM

When looking at heater from outside(if it's a Suburban), bend down and look in the bottom left corner behind the gas line. It's backwards from normal with up for "off" and down for "on".

bubbles · 08-21-2021, 08:28 PM

This

dennislj · 08-22-2021, 10:57 AM

Thanks for the quick replies. The photo was very helpful, and you guys nailed it. So when this outside switch is "on" it allows for the city electrical to power the hot water tank with the inside "water heater" switch in the off position. The interior switch is for gas use only. Is that correct?

Thanks for the help.

Gumpster808 · 08-22-2021, 11:25 AM

Yes, normally the switch on the control panel is the propane side of the water heater.

And there is most likely a breaker for the water heater as well in your breaker panel.

Since the electrical heater element will burn up just about instantly when the tank is empty and you turn that on I have both off to keep myself from doing something silly.

I heat on propane first time using the water heater switch on the control panel. Then when I’m sure it is full and air bled I turn that off and close the breaker and turn on the little switch on the water heater.

CHICKDOE · 08-22-2021, 12:55 PM

Yes the electric heating element will burn up very quickly if you turn it on without water in the tank. Be especially careful whenever you drain the water heater tank. I am pretty religious about turning the electric switch (the one one the heater) off whenever I drain the tank. Then make sure the tank is refilled and full before you turn it back on.

DouglasReid · 08-22-2021, 01:18 PM

Just an FYI..............You can run both the electric and gas at the same time to speed the recovery time.

This would be more and more convenient the more people who need to bate at the same time.............or if you are like me and just impatient.

**wmtire** · 08-22-2021, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennislj

Thanks for the quick replies. The photo was very helpful, and you guys nailed it. So when this outside switch is "on" it allows for the city electrical to power the hot water tank with the inside "water heater" switch in the off position. The interior switch is for gas use only. Is that correct?

Thanks for the help.

Correct. This thread may help on the understanding and operation of the Suburban brand water heater you have.

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ore-36197.html

**bikendan** · 08-22-2021, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennislj

Thanks for the quick replies. The photo was very helpful, and you guys nailed it. So when this outside switch is "on" it allows for the city electrical to power the hot water tank with the inside "water heater" switch in the off position. The interior switch is for gas use only. Is that correct?

Thanks for the help.

It's not really called "city electrical". The electric side is powered by 110v AC power so it can be from shore power or generator power. As was said, you need to make sure that there's water in the WH and for faster recovery, run both propane side and electric side at the same time.
Also suggest you go to this website, for a primer on the two different RV electrical systems:
http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm
Also suggest that you check out the Roo/Shamrock sub-forum in the Hybrid section of the Forum. You'll get better help from other hybrid owners.

cariboo camper · 08-23-2021, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennislj

Thanks for the quick replies. The photo was very helpful, and you guys nailed it. So when this outside switch is "on" it allows for the city electrical to power the hot water tank with the inside "water heater" switch in the off position. The interior switch is for gas use only. Is that correct?

Thanks for the help.

Would not hurt to buy another switch, they fail occasionally. Easy to replace and probably under $10.

You may also like: