Water Heater in Electric Mode

[taylorjw0831]

I have a XLR Thunderbolt 340amp and I noticed that my water heater is still running off of propane even when I turn the electric mode switch to On. This is the switch that is on the actual water heater. Is there something else I should be doing to get it to go into electric mode?

[bikendan]

You need to post make and model of WH.
Most FR products have Suburban water heaters that have the propane switch inside and the electric switch outside, on the WH itself.
Atwood WHs have both switches inside.

[taylorjw0831]

Originally Posted by bikendan

You need to post make and model of WH.
Most FR products have Suburban water heaters that have the propane switch inside and the electric switch outside, on the WH itself.
Atwood WHs have both switches inside.

I'll have to pull the make and model tomorrow but I have one switch on the control panel inside and another on the water heater outside. I had thought if I wanted it in electric mode I had to turn them both on.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by taylorjw0831

I'll have to pull the make and model tomorrow but I have one switch on the control panel inside and another on the water heater outside. I had thought if I wanted it in electric mode I had to turn them both on.

No, for Electric ONLY you turn on the Little switch that is outside behind the W/H cover! Your Inside switch is for Propane! You can and some Members do run Propane and Electric at the Same time! Youroo!!

[sgtlm17]

Both switches on will have water heater use both electric and gas to heat water which theoretically has a faster recovery rate. Gas switch only uses only gas and same for electric switch only uses electric only.

[wmtire]

Maybe this FAQ will help explain the operation of the Suburban SWDE model water heater:

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

Here is part of that FAQ:

'You can power your water heater by propane with the DSI making sparks to ignite the propane....as well as using the electric heating element (as long as you have a form of 120 volt shore power/generator) at the same time and get the fastest heated water.......or either one individually. Just remember that if there is only one switch inside the RV to the water heater, it is going to ONLY control the DSI/propane side of the water heater. The switch outside on the face of the water heater ONLY controls the electric heating element.'

[taylorjw0831]

Thanks for the great information. I'll run some tests to see if I have burned out the electric element.

[BobHanke]

Heating hot water with electricity with dual versions of Suburban models requires 120VAC. Switch outside on water heater and breaker on inside. BE SURE there is water in heater before using electric mode. Otherwise element will burn out in a matter of seconds.

[hbillsmith]

I have 3 switches for hot water suburban. I outside on heater itself. That must be on for either to work. Inside on the panel is one labeled Electric and one labeled Gas.

[tjmezzan]

Maybe I'm missing something, but it seems to me that if you turn off the Propane switch and turn on the Electric switch, you will know if the water heater element works or not. You can't heat with propane if the propane switch is off and the electric switch is on. If both are off, you won't get any hot water.

[donniedu]

If its a Suburban dual fuel WH it has a switch outside in the lower left quadrant of the water heater. There will also be a breaker, and possibly a switch to turn it on. Mine does not have a second electric switch, just the outside switch and the breaker. The switch on the panel starts the gas option.

[Livin the Life]

As stated above....don't forget to check the 120 volt breaker for electric heating, at the panel, to be sure IT is on as well, to run on the electric water heater.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by bikendan

You need to post make and model of WH.
Most FR products have Suburban water heaters that have the propane switch inside and the electric switch outside, on the WH itself.
Atwood WHs have both switches inside.

Our "how can it be a 2017" built May 25 last yr, Sandstorm 250 toy hauler is Suburban with outside AC switch, but has both the Gas and AC switches inside.

Either way turn off the gas unless you want to shorten recovery time when everyone wants to shower.

[Johntgif]

My 2015 - 321BHTS has a LP water heater switch in the bath where the tank level readings and water pump switch are located. The electric circuit has a circuit breaker in the main box marked W.H.

[taylorjw0831]

Found the problem! It turns out that when the rv was built the water heater was never plugged in. Of course I figured it out after I replaced the heating element.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by taylorjw0831

Found the problem! It turns out that when the rv was built the water heater was never plugged in. Of course I figured it out after I replaced the heating element.

Thanks for the Feedback! Youroo!!

[stroker06]

No hot water using electric or propane or both

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by stroker06

No hot water using electric or propane or both

Have you read the link in Post #6?

[stroker06]

New to this sight, trying to find my way around on here, I apologize

[stroker06]

Read thread #6 as stated, have always been able to use electric and or propane, have hot water in tank, pulled release valve, hot water, when I opened everything up yesterday, heard ignitor light, and come on. Today, took shower, no hot water, checked propane, empty. Filled tank, purged lines, nothing. Hot water side, luke warm, then cold. Tried electric only, propane only, nothing. Now it won't light at all. Thanks for your time. 34 sats cedar creek.