Add a 110v switch for water heater

LarryJM wrote:

time2roll wrote:
s/b a dedicated circuit. Just use the breaker.

I would definitely NOT RECOMMEND this method unless the CB is specifically labeled as "SWD".

I used to work in a shop where virtually the whole place was turned on every morning and off every night with the breakers for decades. Including heavy equipment like compressor and wheel balancer. Never an issue.

A few times a year in an RV? Nothing will come of it.
If the OP really wants a convenient switch on the wall for multiple cycles every day that is fine too.

Always switch the hot... not the neutral as shown in the diagram posted above.

Thanks for all the input!

Love this forum!

Suburban makes a switch panel that will do just that so you can replace your existing switch with this:
http://www.campingworld.com/wall-switch-for-suburban-dsi-lp-electric-water-heaters-white?cvsfa=2734&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=3832373535&gclid=CjwKCAjwhcjVBRBHEiwAoDe5x2_pQScPMgdAOMPDIhUj3wml7eORPJHrDCWAUmBGlyyFImo7xtFPQBoCFq0QAvD_BwE

time2roll wrote:
s/b a dedicated circuit. Just use the breaker.

The easiest way. When dry camping this breaker gets turned off. No way you want to be running a water heater through your inverter. Kill the battery bank in no time.

Use heater via propane, & even with that turn it on only shortly before needing hot water.

My coach uses a similar switch for the water heater from the factory, wired inline between the breaker and the water heater.

time2roll wrote:
s/b a dedicated circuit. Just use the breaker.

I would definitely NOT RECOMMEND this method unless the CB is specifically labeled as "SWD".

Larry

FF/PM wrote:
What kind of switch do I need? Do I run 110 to the switch, or is it a relay? This is in a 2015 Keystone Cougar. 30 amp, OEM system.

That your rig is wired with 30 amp main service is irrelevant, nor do you need a relay. Any 120 vac switch will do - I bought this one at Home Depot which had a large, easy to use switch & an indicator light and mounted it in a surface mount box which I placed in an easy to reach location just above where the water heater was located in our K-Z Spree. I wired it into the 120 vac feeding the water heater so when switched on the light would indicate power was being fed to the water heater's electric element.

IF you have a switch in outside compartment for electric then you have a Suburban Water Heater.

120V AC from circuit breaker goes directly to that switch and then to/thru the set of t-stats and then to the electric element (Direct 120V AC circuit)

You just need to locate/ID the 120V AC feed....circuit breaker and then install a new 120V AC Lighted On/Off Switch in series with existing OEM AC Switch.

one option would be to add a switch next to the control panel with a pilot light to the 110 outlet the water heater is plugged into like this Switch and Pilot Light

s/b a dedicated circuit. Just use the breaker.