Gas/Elec DSI on X-Lite 17EX

[jeffmcutter]

Kind of slow in figuring this out, but we upgraded to the Gas / Elec DSI water heater on our Wildwood X-Lite 17EX when we ordered it. We flip the switch inside to turn on the gas hot water. I had been wondering where the electric comes in. I recently found the switch on the outside of the water heater for the electric, but there is a pin in the switch to prevent it from being turned on. Also, I do not notice any wiring to the water heater that looks like it could support a heating element.

Anyone know if this is normal for these units? Seems like either the unit wasn't wired up for elec, or I was misinformed about the option.

Thanks,
-Jeff

[KyDan]

If you've got a switch on the outside, you've got electric.
The element is under a cover plate.
Pull the pin and toss it. Make SURE your heater tank is full of water and
you can push the switch on.
You can use electric or gas or both at the same time if you're in a hurry.
They are totally independent of each other.
You will also have a circuit breaker in your power panel for the electric side of
the HWH.

Welcome to the forums!!

[jeffmcutter]

Well, I guess I should feel silly now, but that's the way it goes sometimes. I believe you are correct, it looks like it should work.

I had one more piece of confusion in that I do not see a breaker in the electric panel for the hot water heater like I was thinking I should, or if I do, the label doesn't make sense to me. I'm guessing it's sharing with something.

I have in the panel, if anyone is curious:

A/C
GEN
GFI
CONV
MICRO

I pulled up the seat again to check for electric connection to the hot water heater and noticed it right away this time. I think last time I was looking for it to be hardwired, but in fact it has a regular plug on it and is plugged into an outlet right next to it. I must have been blinded by what I thought I was looking for before.

Thanks for the advice, I will pull the pin and try the electric hot water out next time I have water in it (probably next year at this point). Expecting it to work just fine.

Oh, one more question, would running both electric and propane have any noticeable difference on the refresh rate for a shower?

Thanks,
-Jeff

[KyDan]

Some folks report faster recovery rate if both water heat modes are
used at once. If you're taking a shower or bath or 2 in a row it can
speed up the process.

Yes, the water heater is probably on a circuit with something else.
You can plug a light into the water heater outlet and have someone
flip breakers until you find which one is sharing.

Also your refrigerator is apparently sharing a circuit with something else.
It might come in handy to figure out which breaker it's on and mark
them accordingly.
If you remove the outside hatch on your fridge you will probably find
that it's also plugged into an outlet and you can test it the same way.

Happy Camping!

[bikendan]

the others have answered your questions. but yes, in FR products, the WH with the outside switch is pretty standard.

by the way, since your 17EX is a hybrid, if you have mods or questions about it, you might want to post in the Expandable/Hybrid section here.
at least for hybrid-specific questions or mods.

[jeffmcutter]

I found the fridge was on GEN and hot water heater was on CONV. Added some notes for myself for future reference.

I do have some things to post in the expandable section and will try to do so in the next month or so. Gotta snap a few pics. Thanks for pointing out there was a special section for the hybrids.